We’re excited to announce the start of the DevFacto Community Foundation, a program that connects talented young developers with not-for-profit organizations to create software solutions that make a difference. Through the foundation, we want to help our local communities innovate the best way we know how – by building software that humans love to use.
The DevFacto Community Foundation works in two ways: it offers promising developers a chance to hone their skills while working on a real-world projects, and it helps not-for-profits fulfill their mission with modern tools and apps. The foundation has already completed its pilot project and released the first mobile app called Missions. The app was built in partnership with the Edmonton Skills Society and Lethbridge-based Southern Alberta Community Living Association (SACLA), two not-for-profits that help people with disabilities experience meaningful lives as valued citizens.
Here is a snapshot of what Missions looks like:
A bit of history
For the last twelve years, we have supported numerous charities in our communities. We fundraised, donated and contributed employee time to numerous causes which include United Way, Stollery Children’s hospital, and Movember Foundation.
Over the years, we noticed that charities have a hard time keeping up with technology. In particular, they struggle with building custom solutions, apps and portals that empower their missions and enable unique experiences for their sponsors and supporters. Charities cannot afford standard consulting rates, and even at a discount the amount of money spent on a software solution is hardly justifiable when faced with other priorities. As one of Canada’s premier consulting companies, we wanted to empower charities through technology. As it turns out, almost by happenstance, we might just have found the way to do it.
Putting skills to a good use
Young developers rarely get the opportunity to apply their hard skills in real-life projects. They know how to code, but they lack the experience that comes from designing and building enterprise-grade solutions. Applying project methodology or mastering communication and teamwork can’t be fully taught in a classroom setting. But without that know-how, it can be difficult for developers to progress their skills.
At the same time, there is a strong demand for modern tools and technology among not-for-profits that look to support local communities in new ways. They want to leverage software and mobile applications to reach those in need of help. While custom built solutions can bring these organizations closer to their communities, limited budgets often stand in the way of achieving this goal.
Aware of these challenges, we wanted to make a difference in a meaningful way, and we found just the way to do it.
High school students build an app
While judging a Skills Canada competition, Matt Waggoner, one of our star developers, met some highly capable highschoolers. Ben Lehmann and Shashank Bhat, Grade 11 and Grade 12 students at the time, who took the top spots at Skills Canada were certainly ready for the next challenge.
You may already know that here at DevFacto we’re seriously committed to empowering the next generation of software developers and we even run a co-op program in partnership with the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. However, as high school students, Ben and Shashank, wouldn’t qualify for it.
So, when Matt got back to the office the following Monday, he knew there was something he could do. With the support from DevFacto, he set out to find the right project for the students to work on. He connected with SACLA and Skills Society, two not-for-profits who were looking to build a mobile app that helps people with disabilities fully explore their community.
Under Matt’s watchful eye, Ben and Shashank spent their summer at DevFacto developing Missions, an app that makes it fun for people with disabilities to discover new interests and build a sense of inclusion with their community. Users select missions from a list of specially pre-designed activities and then complete them with their families or allies. The app offers them a chance to explore exciting things to do in their neighbourhoods and to reflect on their experiences. Skills Society and SACLA will use Missions app to empower people with disabilities and help them achieve their individual goals.
See a complete demo of user functionality in Missions:
DevFacto Community Foundation: how does it work?
The DevFacto Community Foundation offers not-for-profits a chance to build custom applications at a fraction of the cost. Talented young developers do the coding while seasoned DevFacto consultants manage and guide their work. As DevFacto, we provide methodology, on-going mentoring, and project management throughout the engagement. We also closely guide the students to ensure that the final product meets the business needs of our not-for-profit partners.
All the proceeds from the project go exclusively towards student’s wages. DevFacto offers its services pro-bono. In the future, any money left from the projects delivered by the foundation will be put towards a scholarship fund for students who participated in the program. We trust that this will further support young developers and encourage them to pursue education in STEM fields.
And now, the good stuff! DevFacto Community Foundation will build more apps in 2020. If you represent a registered charity that needs a consumer-grade application, we would love to hear from you. Let’s find a way to empower your organization with technology – get in touch.