As women’s and feminist funds grow, their need for systematic data collection and management increases, outgrowing tools like Excel. Salesforce offers potential but requires effort, time, and a cultural shift within organizations. This collaboration aims to provide technical and peer support for implementing Salesforce in grantmaking processes.
Previously, Prospera, Global Fund for Women, Ukrainian Women’s Fund, Fondo Semillas, Reconstruction Women’s Fund, and Women Fund Tanzania designed the grantmaking features in the Feminist Fund Database (FFDB). Two groups with distinct needs were identified: the Emergent group (this collaboration) for those beginning Salesforce development, and the Advanced group for those with existing systems. Both groups aim to improve processes and systems, learning from each other.
Collaborators：
Women Fund Z
Inspiration
The group leverages the knowledge of the first cohort to implement Salesforce with support from Global Fund for Women and Prospera INWF Secretariat. The goal is a cultural and technological shift where Salesforce supports organizational processes and procedures. Working collectively, they share advances, insights, and learnings, finding value in a collaborative approach rather than working independently.
The Process
The collaborative focuses on two main areas to achieve a cultural and technological shift. At the fund level, they will migrate grantmaking processes into Salesforce, hiring consultants and customizing the package with support from Global Fund for Women. This includes data migration and ongoing staff training post-deployment.
At the collaborative level, funds will establish a process for sharing good practices and system improvements with other women’s funds. Regular meetings will facilitate progress updates, learning exchanges, and discussions on specific topics. Activities and insights will be documented to develop two knowledge products. The group also aims to create a learning community on a secure platform within the Prospera network, enabling resource sharing and hosting meetings or webinars for the broader community.
Toolkit
- Salesforce administrator (consultant) support for each fund.
- Each fund hires a local consultant with Salesforce skills.
- Global Fund for Women provides guidance, support materials, templates, and coding support.
- Each fund leads its own customization processes.
- Engage and learn through a collaborative platform with support from external facilitators.
What Does Success Look Like?
- Every fund uses FFDB for grantmaking with better data management.
- Deepened knowledge and strengthened relationships through collective learning.
- Development of two concrete learning products.
- Sharing best practices around Salesforce and grantmaking processes.
Between the lines
Global Fund for Women initially developed the FFDB with Prospera and other funds. They are part of both the Advanced and Emergent groups, supporting each fund and their consultants in implementing the FFDB.
The smaller funds are at different phases of data management. Bulgarian Fund for Women, Taso Foundation, Women Fund Tanzania, and Women Fund Z are all at various stages of exploring and implementing Salesforce, aiming to improve their grantmaking processes through this collaboration.