Case Study: A Friend 4U

Case Study: A Friend 4U

Organization Background

Since 2013, A Friend 4U has been providing confidential support and encouragement to those experiencing unplanned pregnancy through a one-on-one friendship basis, connecting them with community resources. A Friend 4U is a faith-based organization of volunteers that serves women of all ages, ethnicities, marital status and religious beliefs in Northern Colorado.

Challenge

As a relatively new nonprofit powered entirely by dedicated volunteers and private donations, A Friend 4U was handling all of its volunteer applications, screening and national databases via paper format followed by manual data entry. Not only did this method prove time consuming but also screening accuracy was limited without the inclusion of county records in these background checks.

Solution

A Friend 4U transitioned its background checks to the Sterling Volunteers online platform, which allows the organization to reduce its administrative burden by having potential volunteers submit their own personal information and order background checks themselves. In addition, upon signing up for the background check service, A Friend 4U joined the Verified Volunteer online community, giving the organization and its mission valuable exposure among hundreds of motivated volunteers in its local area.

Results

According to Lorraine Meyer, president of A Friend 4U, the switch to Sterling Volunteers has reduced the staff time required to process background checks to almost zero.It has also helped to shift the cost of background screening entirely to the volunteers, who are eager and willing to offset these costs for the organization. Moreover, through the Sterling Volunteers community, A Friend 4U connected with its newest Board of Directors member, who has helped to enrich the organization and advance its mission.

Key Highlights

The Sterling Volunteers online volunteer community helped introduce potential volunteers to A Friend 4U and connected the organization with a new, motivated Board of Directors member. A potential volunteer inquired about ways he could assist the organization through Sterling Volunteers’ platform. After speaking with President Lorraine Meyer, he found out about the open Board seat and recommended it to his partner, who turned out to be a perfect fit for the organization.

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