Blueprint aims to help non-profits better serve their communities — and that extends beyond the semester. Following up with our partners’ needs and ensuring that they are well-equipped to pursue their goals is essential. Read on to learn more about how our technology is helping 3 of our partners, and where each of them is heading next.
1. RE-volv
RE-volv is redefining how funding for renewable energy works by creating a crowd-funding model for solar energy.
Blueprint’s Project Coming to Life
Blueprint’s RE-volv team helped build a Django application to serve as a new crowdfunding platform. Over the summer, Blueprint’s RE-volv team has launched test campaigns for RE-volv’s new website.
As RE-volv secures a full-time developer to maintain the site, Blueprint’s team is preparing to fully deploy the website in the upcoming weeks. Once they do so, RE-volv will be the first large open source crowdfunding application!
RE-volv’s Progress and Upcoming Goals
RE-volv has grown considerably, already successfully completing 3 projects with over 600 donors. Through a developing partnership with the White House and more funding for new projects, RE-volv is continuing to see how they can increase their impact on communities.
In order to expand their reach to new communities, RE-volv is involving college students through their unique program, the Solar Ambassador Fellowship. This program allows students to actively seek out solar campaign opportunities in their communities. Students can become the spokespeople for renewable change in their area.
One of RE-volv’s key focuses is training these new ambassadors to become effective champions of their mission. Look out for more info later this year as the ambassador program rolls out!
2. Project Homeless Connect
Project Homeless Connect aims to help the city’s homeless by providing aid and wellness services.
Blueprint’s Contribution to Service Events
Blueprint’s team worked on creating a functional Android app for volunteers to record usage of services during events. After building the initial app, the team got to test during events and iterate on the product further to expand the amount of data the app records.
The revised app is currently in the app store and is being used at their five service events every year by about a hundred volunteers per event. Although the team initially planned to release the final version of the app in early June, a postponed update on the Google Play store and other logistical issues forced the team to push back the final release. Since then, the Blueprint team has worked on additional tweaks and documentation to polish the usability of the app.
The finalized product will help volunteers significantly during busy events by:
- Saving at least 200 volunteer hours per event
- Significantly improving the consistency and hygiene of the information in their database by removing duplicate data sets
- Tracking about half a dozen new data points per client that can be used to help improve and target offered services
Keeping Up With Project Homeless Connect’s Initiatives
Project Homeless Connect already hosts multiple events each month designed to provide crucial wellness services to at-risk individuals. From housing workshops to free haircut services, PHC has a host of opportunities for interested people to donate or volunteer.
Their next large-scale event, PHC 60, will take place on September 23rd at the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco. There, multiple medical and wellness services will be available at one convenient location for people to receive the assistance they need.
In addition to these events, PHC is tackling thought leadership in the homeless services space. Through their Provider Connect series, PHC is shedding light on social issues related to homelessness, such as the disproportionate effects of homelessness on the transgendered population. Look out for their next Provider Connect event, which is slated for October 21st!
3. Worldreader
Worldreader provides free digital books and e-readers to students in order to expand their learning.
Blueprint’s New Library
Since Worldreader’s massive collection is continuing to expand with new donations, navigating their database of books was becoming increasingly difficult. Blueprint’s team helped Worldreader’s clients search for relevant books by creating a new library system for Worldreader’s titles. With improved search functionalities and tagging options, the library’s system of cataloging books is more streamlined.
At the end of last semester, Blueprint’s team implemented most of the functionalities Worldreader wanted. After testing the app and editing a few areas, the team handed off the project to one of Worldreader’s hired developers to maintain the app in the future. With that, Blueprint’s contribution is fully deployed, helping the non-profit maintain its growing list of books.
Worldreader’s Expanding Goal
Since Worldreader’s inception, the non-profit has been providing books and e-readers to kids across the globe. As the non-profit continues adding books, they also send out BLUE Boxes to non-profit partners– these custom e-readers and digital books allow schools or communities to provide novel reading services for both kids and adults.
Worldreader is continuing to expand, both through their product offerings and channels. On one end, Worldreader engages publishers and translators directly to expand their book collection, which already has titles in 43 different languages to reach as many audiences as possible.
On the other end, Worldreader also coordinates training and funding to open new literary programs in schools. Their current campaigns are focusing on areas in Kenya and Ghana. Look for updates as these campaigns close, and as Worldreader initiates new campaigns in new communities!
