1/19/2010

N Street Village got an IT overhaul in 2009 courtesy of
new board member Jane Fishkin and some highly skilled IT volunteers.

IT Project Team

Following Jane’s initial interviews and investigation, she asked IT Management Consultant Robin King to create a project plan that addressed the organization’s risks and weaknesses. They worked closely with David Diedrich, NSV’s Director of Finance and Operations, to interview vendors, select appropriate hardware and software, and see the project through to completion.

“NSV has such an important mission; we were delighted to be able to provide our services.  Our work helped NSV to operationalize an improved IT strategy with supporting service and tools that will carry them well into the future,” said Robin King.

“These IT improvements allow us to maintain quality services for our clients,” remarked David Diedrich. “It would have been a stretch to pay for this level of expertise. We addressed several pressing needs but also learned how to approach our IT issues strategically.”

N Street Village relies on customized software to report on client outcome data, manage its website, stay in contact with volunteers and donors, and generate financial reports. Even the phones run on a voicemail server. Keeping the IT infrastructure sound ensures seamless service for the 800 homeless and low income women that N Street serves each year.

Jane Fishkin, who recently retired from the CIO job at Brookings Institution, saw the need and made the connection. “Many not-for-profits organizations sacrifice staff efficiency and take unnecessary organizational risks rather than making regular, proactive, planned investments in their IT infrastructure.  Without a dedicated IT department at NSV I wanted to be certain that they had all the benefits of my experience.”