New software lets nonprofit Chore Service concentrate on clients, not computers

CORNWALL — With about 225 clients and more than 100 workers, the Chore Service is a good-sized nonprofit business that helps elderly or handicapped Northwest Corner residents with household tasks.

Executive Director Ella Clark said the agency, thanks to a grant from the Cornwall Foundation, now has a software program designed specifically for nonprofit management.

In an interview this week, Clark expressed gratitude for the grant — and deferred explaining the softwar to her new administrative assistant, Heather Dinneen.

Dinneen’s duties include computer tracking of staff, clients, donations and a newsletter mailing list, and communications with board members.  

As at many nonprofits, Dinneen said she uses Excel business software.

“But it becomes very complicated very fast, and you end up e-mailing files people can’t open,� she said. “It’s very expensive. I’ve always thought there had to be a better way.�

At a seminar in Vermont, Dinneen discovered the Lifeline 8 Nonprofit Management System. It was developed at Straight Forward Software in response to the specific needs of small-to-medium nonprofits.

The $855 grant covers the cost of the software and multiple-user licensing.

The new software will allow board members to access up-to-date records from home.

Clark wants elderly and handicapped residents to know that help is out there for light and heavy housekeeping through the service.

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