Improving communication in the hospice

Project facts

Project promoter:
Hospic sv. Zdislavy, o.p.s.(CZ)
Project Number:
CZ-ACTIVECITIZENS-0232
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€3,000
Final project cost:
€3,000
Programme:

More information

Description

The project will improve the communication of St. Zdislava Hospice with donors, partners, friends, helpers and volunteers. Effective and properly set up communication is the basis for any relationship. In the past, essential communication has only taken place in person. Relationships were based on regular meetings, which the Covid-19 disease pandemic made impossible. It has become clear that remote communication needs to be improved. We are confident that the project will provide us with a quality tool for targeted and structured email communication which, in conjunction with face-to-face meetings, will enable us to build, capture and develop contacts and partnerships. The project consists of three activities: 1. Tool selection, 2. Implementation and setup, 3. Testing and transfer to the team. The primary target group is the employees of the organization who communicate by e-mail - 2 fundraising employees, a volunteer coordinator and a counseling center manager, a project manager and the director of an organization. A secondary target group that will benefit from more effective communication and more successful fundraising are hospice clients.

Summary of project results

The project addressed improving communication with donors, volunteers and supporters of the hospice. The main challenge was linking the CRM system 

with the new software so that we could share information effectively. In the past, we only used Outlook for online communication. Covid years showed 

us that we needed a modern online communication tool that would allow for mass emailing, newsletter subscriptions and transparency. We used to send 

emails manually, in smaller batches, so we wouldn''t end up on a blacklist. We prepared the newsletter in PDF format. We didn''t have an overview of the 

effectiveness of our communication - how many people opened the email, what content was relevant, etc. Email recipients couldn''t simply unsubscribe. 

The main challenge was linking the CRM system with the new software so that we could share information effectively.

In the project, with the support of experts, we selected suitable tools for mass e-mail communication. The main selection criteria were integration with Salesforce CRM system, user-friendliness, simplicity and price. We tested the tool and put it into operation. We prepared newsletter and email templates. We started tracking the readership of our mailings. We improved the segmentation of our contacts in the CRM system with respect to fundraising goals. This will make our communications more targeted to donor conversion and regular giving to strengthen the relationship with our supporters to ensure quality hospice services. Volunteers and donors are part of our community and have a significant impact on the running of the hospice. We have a great tool that allows us to send out mass mailings, donation requests, thank you notes and conduct online fundraising campaigns. Through reporting, we are able to evaluate what is working and what is not. We expect to improve relationships with our supporters and fundraising activities, especially to strengthen individual giving, which will lead to greater stability for the entire organization.

The project has helped staff who regularly communicate with the public. The tool saves time in sending out mailings, provides data on the effectiveness 

of mailings and the relevance of information for target groups. Target groups receive information about the hospice''s operations and management and 

are given the opportunity to get involved as volunteers or donors. This has a direct impact on the clients of the hospice. We expect a strengthening 

of individual fundraising and diversification of resources. Hospice communication is transparent. Added value is the review of data in the CRM system 

and setting up new systematic processes in donor care.

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.