A once in a lifetime opportunity…
We are finally there, after several days preparing for the task in hand, our team made it to Pike Place Market. Suddenly, we got lost among the few tourists and the many merchants getting ready for the day. The smell of fresh flowers, herbs, and freshly made bread made us forget for a moment the reason why we were there.
Everything started back in August when we got selected to participate in the first SAP Social Sabbatical in Bellevue. For the next few weeks, our team will be trying to solve one of the critical problems that every Non for Profit faces sooner or later: Optimizing the Donors’ management process to maximize the effectiveness of future appeals/campaigns.
We had been extremely lucky to be partnering with Pike Place Market Foundation. The work they had performed over the last 30+ years is just remarkable. To be honest, I had no idea they were such a vital part of the market and how their work has created a real community among its members. It’s refreshing to see this community thriving in the heart of a tech hub such as Seattle. We are extremely grateful they had allowed us to share this journey with them. We are committed to give them our best during our brief time here.
Did I mention that early morning is the best time to see the REAL market?
On Monday morning, we arrived at the Pike Place Market early, but to our surprise, the market workers were already there getting ready for the day. Hardworking individuals of all ages, ethnicities, and abilities were cleaning, prepping, cooking, and setting up for the day; all of which are members of the Community that the Pike Place Market Foundation supports through its fundraising efforts.
At 9:00 a.m., we hit the ground running to complete our task which was: To formally define the donor journey, and how to manage it using Raiser’s Edge and NXT. After several short meetings with Christi and Jenn, we formulated a plan, and began updating their donor data.
This was our work space for the week.
As we learned more about the Foundation’s donor database, and the different events that they held throughout the year, we began to realize that this group of eight full-time staff members do the work of thirty. What an outstanding group of talented individuals!
Tuesday and Wednesday went by incredibly quickly. We had nearly completed all the database updates when Paula created a Donor “Flow Chart” that incorporated our new database fields and processes. Finally, something tangible that shows what we have accomplished!
When I arrived on Thursday, there were numerous individuals outside the entrance of the Pike Place Market Food Bank, waiting to receive some much-needed food for themselves and their families. This is yet another area that the Foundation supports. Amazing.
Friday afternoon ended with a group picture with the foundation staff and the infamous “Rachel the pig”.
We still have a lot of work to do, but all-in-all, it was a very fulfilling week of learning, collaboration, and relationship building. As I was packing up my things after the group picture, I realized that I had come to enjoy my time at the market, and I was going to miss being there each day.
However, we will be back on Thursday, October 4th. ! Until then…
