The Wellcome Trust
The Wellcome Trust: Choosing Technology That Grows with Your Mission
Nina Frentrop has been at The Wellcome Trust for over a decade, contributing to its digital transformation efforts.
The Wellcome Trust, one of the largest independent funders of research in the UK, aims to improve health for everyone by supporting scientific research, engaging with policymakers, and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Nina's experience of implementing a new funding and relationship management platform at Wellcome offers valuable lessons for other nonprofits and foundations navigating their own tech journeys.
Thinking About Technology for The Wellcome Trust
When considering a new technology platform, Wellcome's goal was clear: they needed a solution that would grow alongside their evolving mission and could extend beyond grant management. Nina describes their initial considerations:
"Our existing grant system wasn't broken, but Wellcome had grown into much more than a funder.
We needed a solution that would allow us to handle grants, contracts, and relationship management all in one place.
It needed to be secure and meet accessibility standard. It was about future-proofing for growth and change."
- Nina Frentrop, The Wellcome Trust
Choosing The Right Platform
"We knew that a strong platform like Salesforce, with ongoing investments in their product, would serve us well in the long run.
With Salesforce and other products integrated into or funding and relationships platform, we had confidence that as we grew and adapted, the technology could grow and adapt with us."
- Nina Frentrop
What was the driving force behind wanting change?
As Wellcome evolved, the need for comprehensive data management, a single source of truth and a flexible product became increasingly important.
The organisation required a platform that could not only manage grants and contracts but also support their growing interest in data reporting and analytics to inform decision-making and demonstrate outcomes.
Data encryption was also essential, given Wellcome's commitment to safeguarding sensitive information, particularly in compliance with GDPR.
Additionally, accessibility emerged as a priority, aligning with Wellcome's strategic goal of advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across all activities. This dedication to EDI drove Wellcome to built a platform, using Salesforce and their own website Wellcome.org as a portal, that is robust, secure, and able to accommodate the needs of diverse global audiences.
What Matters in Technology Selection
Wellcome's decision was also shaped by insights from other foundations.
Nina highlights the importance of consulting with other organisations during the selection process:
"We spoke with funders in Europe and the U.S., some of whom had adopted Salesforce. Their aadvice was invaluable.
They emphasised the need for an implementation partner who not only understands the technology but also the nuances of the grant-making sector."
Looking to Others Success For Inspiration
Beyond selecting the right platform, Nina also recommends exploring case studies and success stories from other organisations to understand what's possible.
"Stories on vendors' websites can be very helpful. It's not just about the technology; it's about seeing how other organisations have implemented it to meet their specific needs.That context helps you envision what's achievable for your own organisation. And follow it up with a conversation."
What Contributed to Wellcome's Success
Reflecting on the success of Wellcome's implementation, Nina credits a few key factors.
One of the most impactful decisions was selecting a partner who could adapt to Wellcome's unique working style and provide ongoing support:
-
The Right Implementation Partner
"We worked as one team with our implementation partner, Hyphen8.
There were challenging moments as we thought things through, but the open, collaborative approach made a big difference.
It helped us navigate challenges without falling into a blame culture, which can often derail projects."
-
Flexible Technology
"Another success factor was the flexibility of the technology itself.
Wellcome now has greater independence in making adjustments by building functionality with our in-house team, creating reports and customising dashboards, improving efficiency and data reporting.
We can add functionality and data, create our own reports and dashboards simply and easily and make changes, often in a few clicks." -
Technology To Fit Your Needs
"A year in, people are now experimenting more and adapting their workflows to meet their needs. It's a powerful tool that enables us to stay responsive.
Our technology does not limit us, and that's a huge advantage."
Nina has key advice for other nonprofits and foundations evaluating technology solutions:
"First, choose an implementation partner who truly understands your sector. For us, it was crucial to work with someone who knew the language and challenges of a grant-making foundation.
We didn't want to spend valuable time explaining what we needed, and Hyphen8 understood everything we said, as we shared ideas and opinions, so find a partner that knows your industry like you do."
Additionally, she advises organisations to have clear goals and keep an open mind about the potential of technology.
Nina also went on to share:
"Think about your long-term vision and what you want to achieve. However, remember you don't have to know or build everything at the start.
With a flexible platform, there's so much you can build on after you go live. We're now exploring areas we hadn't initially had time for or planned, like adding impact reporting and integrating with external data sources like ORCID, or adding new functionality to handle safeguarding casework.
Thoughts for charities or funders thinking about technology approaches:
For organisations considering similar digital transformations, Nina underscores the importance of selecting technology that can adapt to change.
"Invest in technology that is scalable and flexible. We're still exploring its potential, and it's reassuring to know we can pivot and add functionalities as our needs evolve.With the right platform and partner, technology can be a transformative asset that grows with you."
