In an era where data forms the backbone of strategic planning, organizations like Kundiman, which are committed to fostering Asian American literature, often face the challenge of managing fragmented data. To address these issues, JPMorganChase's Force for Good initiative steps in—a program within the Tech for Social Good framework that demonstrates the power of corporate knowledge in aiding non-profit entities to surmount technological barriers and broaden their reach.
Kundiman, founded in 2004, has been a haven for Asian American authors, providing them with retreats, virtual classes, and workshops. With over 250 writers having attended their retreats and approximately 400 books written by these individuals, Kundiman has made a substantial contribution to the literary world. However, as Kundiman's reach and activities have grown, so too has the intricacy of data gathering required for their operations.
Traditionally, Kundiman utilized a donor management system for contact management and gathered data through various survey tools, resulting in inconsistencies, particularly in documenting ethnicities. The array of terms participants used to express their ancestry complicated the standardization and accurate analysis of demographic information.
Kundiman's primary objective was to streamline these data streams, minimize manual data intervention, and enhance data precision. The Force for Good team, motivated by Kundiman's mission, tackled this challenge by introducing a pre-configured workflow automation solution to synchronize and automate data transfer across platforms. This strategy ensures that data from multiple sources can be automatically synchronized with a centralized database, eliminating manual input and reducing errors.
The project's influence went beyond simple data aggregation. It enabled Kundiman to monitor demographic trends and pinpoint communities requiring assistance. As the pandemic and economic hardships altered the needs of Asian American communities, precise demographic monitoring became critical. A 2022 report by Equitable Growth indicated that Asian Americans in New York City experienced longer unemployment durations and higher poverty rates than other ethnic groups. Armed with this insight, Kundiman's capacity to adjust and extend support became increasingly vital.
The project's triumph was a reflection of the collaborative ethos and commitment of all parties involved. The Force for Good team not only delivered a technological solution but also provided training and documentation, ensuring that Kundiman's staff could manage the new system independently. This holistic approach ensured lasting benefits and sustainability for Kundiman.
The Force for Good program's partnership with Kundiman illustrates how strategic, considerate technological interventions can drive substantial social change. It highlights the significance of the Force for Good's ongoing support and innovation in the non-profit sector, ensuring that organizations like Kundiman can flourish and persist in their crucial endeavors.