How Manchester Foundation Trust saves 1.5 days of tedious admin every week with Beacon

Manchester Foundation Trust (MFT) Charity raises funds for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country, made up of 10 hospitals which provide a full range of hospital services across Manchester, Trafford and beyond. They fund excellence in treatment, research and care, ensuring that the 2 million patients seen by the Trust every year receive the best care possible in the best environment possible. But behind the scenes, ill-fitting technology was holding the charity back. As Siobhan McKeever, Senior Manager of Individual Giving, put it,

The systems we were using were a really big barrier to us being able to grow. Things were really not streamlined, there was a lot of time being spent on things that should have been able to be automated.

A Data-Driven Transformation: Trusting the Numbers

MFT Charity’s previous database was clunky, time-consuming, and far too reliant on manual processes. It was clear that a change was needed, one that would free the team from endless admin and so they can focus on what they do best: supporting exceptional healthcare. After sizing up the options, they went with Beacon.

Implementing Beacon marked the beginning of a transformative journey for MFT Charity. With seamless integrations with platforms like JustGiving and MuchLoved, they quickly automated previously laborious tasks like donation processing and data entry. This step alone saved team members a staggering 1.5 days of manual work per week. Tasks that once required hours of meticulous cross-checking were now handled effortlessly, freeing up valuable time to focus on strategic initiatives and supporter engagement.

The transition also brought about a significant shift in the team's mindset. Their old system had fostered a culture of scepticism and workarounds. "The database doesn't work, so I'm just going to do it in a spreadsheet," was a common refrain. Initially, the team instinctively triple-checked the processes Beacon was automating, but their doubts quickly dissolved. This newfound trust in the platform’s accuracy and reliability has led to a profound cultural shift, with the platform now serving as the team's single source of truth.

It’s been really good, we’ve been able to get way more of our processes off spreadsheets and into Beacon.

Unlocking Insights and Fuelling Growth

The MFT Charity team used the reporting and dashboard features to get a crystal-clear, live view of their fundraising landscape. They can now easily track progress towards targets and identify areas for improvement, all in real time. They can even track a supporter’s journey from which email they clicked, where they landed on the website and tie a subsequent donation or event sign-up back to those touch points. This new level of clarity empowered them to make data-driven decisions and refine their strategies for maximum impact. 

The flexibility of the technology has also been a game-changer for MFT Charity. Their previous platform was rigid and limiting, making it difficult to adapt to their evolving needs.

Before, there wasn’t much point in trying to improve processes because the tech we used was so rigid and we were stuck with how it works. But now we can constantly look at improving things as we go.

Beacon's adaptability allows the team to continually refine their processes so they’re always improving with each new campaign or event. 

With multiple team members asking, “Can Beacon do this for me too?”, they’ve started exploring moving their grant making, finance and forecasting operations onto Beacon too. With everything under one roof and all of their data interconnected, MFT Charity will finally have a full, singular view of their entire operations through a single lens. 

Digital Change for the Greater Good

MFT Charity's commitment to digital transformation hasn't just empowered their team, it's also having a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of the wider community. By streamlining their operations and maximising the impact of every donation, the charity is ensuring that the people of Manchester and beyond have access to exceptional healthcare and support for years to come.

If you want to see how Beacon can transform your charity, we'd love to hear from you! Just get in touch with a friendly member of our team.