Jennifer L. Fletcher is a recent graduate of Athabasca University (AU) with a four-year BA in Psychology. Her current educational goals include the pursuit of graduate studies in psychology to prepare for a future career in counselling. Over this gap year, Jennifer is working as a research assistant for Dr. Kharah Ross at AU, and as an ESL teacher and peer-support mentor for Langmobile, QC. In her spare time, Jennifer volunteers for the international mental health and wellness support line 7 Cups of Tea as a verified listener.

Cheryl M. Trask is a Master of Arts candidate in Applied Social Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan, specializing in research on intimate partner violence, post-traumatic growth, close relationships, and community data systems. A first-generation student from rural Saskatchewan, she brings strong connections to prairie communities and applied experience collaborating with non-profit organizations, including Family Service Saskatoon, on service mapping, evaluation, and evidence synthesis projects. Cheryl has co-authored peer-reviewed manuscripts, presented at national and international conferences, and led qualitative and mixed-methods research with an emphasis on trauma-informed, context-responsive approaches. Her work is grounded in community partnership and knowledge mobilization, with a focus on generating research that meaningfully informs policy and practice for women, families, and underserved populations.

Bonnie van Kessel is a graduate student in the Master of Counselling program at the University of Lethbridge and a Registered Nurse specializing in mental health. She completed her psychology degree with great distinction at Athabasca University and has served as a research assistant to Dr. Kharah Ross on projects examining perinatal stress and community data systems. Bonnie currently works at Mount Royal University as part of the mental health nursing team, supporting young adults as they navigate wellness services, health education, and mental health resources.

Dr. Kharah Ross is a Health Psychologist, with a specialization in maternal-child health and psychoneuroimmunology, or the study of the connections between psychosocial states (e.g. stress, close relationship quality) and immune activity. Her research encompasses three broad areas: (1) Close relationships and health, (2) Health disparities at the intersection of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, and (3) Understanding normative physiological activity during pregnancy, the postpartum period and early childhood. Dr. Ross was a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California - Los Angeles in Psychology (2015-2018), and with the Preterm Birth Initiative at the University of California - San Francisco (2016-2018). She then returned to her hometown, Calgary, AB, where she was an Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions and CIHR Postdoctoral Fellow (2018-2019) at the Owerko Centre in the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary. Dr. Ross joined the Psychology program at Athabasca University in 2019.

Abstract

Data management challenges limit growth and sustainability of small-to-medium nonprofits, impacting at-risk families served. Community-university partnerships where nonprofits house data management systems (DMS) on research infrastructure is a possible solution, but design or start-up costs remain obstacles. To address this, a proof-of-concept project was completed to co-design a common non-profit DMS, based on shared data needs, that is easy to customize. DMS were launched September 2024.

Purpose: To evaluate benefits and challenges inherent to a common nonprofit DMS approach by interviewing nonprofit users of the systems.

Methods. 7 participants completed interviews. Participants were nonprofit frontline staff and leadership (Elizabeth House, Emma House, Highbanks Society) and REDCap designers (PolicyWise). Preliminary analyses focused on responses to: “Do you think this approach is a good idea?” and “Can you discuss impressions … benefits…and challenges working on this project with this team?” Preliminary themes were identified using descriptive content analysis.

Results. Benefits included relationship-building and collaboration among agencies and optimal collection and storage of agency-specific data through uniquely customized shared DMS. Challenges included post-launch support and communication and pre-launch agency leadership changes.

Implications. The common nonprofit DMS approach shows promise over previous DMS approaches. Opportunities for improvement were identified.

Keywords: Nonprofit Data Management, University Hosted Nonprofit Data Management Systems, Customizable "Common" Nonprofit Data Management System

References

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