Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland – Designing and Implementing Data-Driven Process Improvements to Strengthen Fundraising and Operations

Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland is a non-profit organization dedicated to enabling life-changing mentoring relationships that ignite the power and potential of young people. Through its inclusive programs, the organization empowers female, female-identifying, non-binary, gender fluid, transgender, and Two Spirit youth to build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills. To sustain and expand these vital community programs, Big Sisters relies on dynamic fundraising strategies, donor engagement, and operational excellence that allow the organization to maximize resources and impact.
As the non-profit sector continues to evolve, Big Sisters has recognized the need to modernize and innovate its internal systems to keep pace with increasing data demands, donor expectations, and digital fundraising trends. Current administrative and fundraising workflows rely on traditional, manual processes that limit efficiency and scalability. The organization faces the challenge of transforming these processes into a more data-driven, technology-enabled, and strategically integrated model that strengthens operational performance and enhances community reach.
This project introduces an innovation-driven opportunity to research, design, and pilot new methods of operational improvement and donor management that extend beyond daily administrative tasks. The intern will analyze the existing workflows across fundraising and operations to identify inefficiencies, explore digital solutions such as automated tracking systems, and design frameworks that support data accuracy, faster reporting, and improved decision-making. By developing new processes and tools for cross-departmental collaboration and donor engagement, the project will help Big Sisters build an adaptable and sustainable infrastructure that supports long-term organizational innovation.

Faculty Supervisor:

Heather Harrison

Student:

Partner:

Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Program: