Orr Group helped United Way Worldwide streamline its gift processing system, improving donor engagement and operational efficiency, while fostering a stronger culture of philanthropy to support their expanding National Recovery Funds.
As United Way Worldwide (UWW) expanded its response to national disasters through several National Recovery Funds, it became evident that the organization’s existing gift processing infrastructure was struggling to keep pace. UWW faced challenges in processing and acknowledging contributions in a timely manner due to communication gaps between departments and competing organizational priorities. Additionally, the CRM system used was not fully equipped to handle donor data management, further complicating efficient donor engagement. This, combined with the need for a stronger culture of philanthropy, presented a significant challenge in aligning donor interests with the organization’s goals.
UWW partnered with Orr Group to assess and strengthen its gift processing system. Following a thorough discovery phase—where Orr Group conducted staff interviews, reviewed existing systems, and analyzed interdepartmental workflows—clear areas for improvement were identified. Orr Group introduced a new gift processing framework designed to streamline operations and address reporting lags. This method integrated industry best practices with UWW’s organizational needs, ensuring contributions were processed more efficiently while reinforcing donor confidence.
Key elements of the solution included enhancing communication between the development and finance teams, increasing the frequency of contribution reports, and recommending the onboarding of a dedicated gift processor. Orr Group also supported the implementation of the new system by providing interim gift processing services to test and refine the method in real time. Additionally, a focus was placed on fostering a more donor-centric culture, aligning internal operations with the needs of UWW’s supporters.
Through this collaboration, UWW was able to implement a more robust and efficient gift processing system, significantly reducing delays in acknowledging contributions and improving overall operational efficiency. This enhanced infrastructure allowed UWW to better meet the needs of its donors while maintaining the flexibility required to manage its expanding National Recovery Funds. Moreover, by cultivating a deeper culture of philanthropy, UWW strengthened its ability to prioritize donor relationships alongside its broader organizational goals, positioning itself for continued growth and success.