Imagine starting a foundation with the ambition to make a global impact. When should you begin thinking about your digital operations? For Vaugnity, the answer is simple: from the very start.
Even though we’ve only just finalized our legal incorporation, we’re already making intentional decisions about how we’ll operate—not just in purpose, but also in digital structure. Because when you choose integration and efficiency from day one, you lay a foundation that scales with your mission.
Excel or a system? For us, there’s no debate
I get this question often: “But you’ve just started… why invest in a system already?”
The answer is clear: because we believe in sustainability—even in how we work digitally.
Excel may seem convenient for beginners, but it’s rarely a long-term solution. It leads to fragmentation, errors, wasted time, and frustration. If you want to create impact with limited resources, you need a strong backbone. A well-chosen system gives you structure, automation, and the freedom to grow—even with a small team.
From vision to decision: why Odoo?
At Vaugnity, we’re applying the same methodology I use at Enter Digital when advising nonprofits through digital transformation. That means we’re already looking at:
- Our key processes
- Our data needs
- Our integration requirements
- Our long-term scalability
We recently migrated our website to Odoo—a strategic move. Not just to refresh the site, but to test the platform: can this be our all-in-one system? So far, the results are promising. Odoo combines CRM, project management, accounting, and more in one environment.
Most importantly: it’s standard software—not custom-built.
That matters. We don’t want to waste time maintaining custom software. We prefer strong, off-the-shelf tools backed by a solid developer community. That means fewer worries, more focus on impact.
Tax certificates: strategic asset or operational burden?
One factor that might influence our final decision is tax certificates for donations. We’re currently consulting legal and financial advisors to assess whether it’s worth applying to the government for permission to issue these certificates.
Pros:
- More attractive for donors who can claim a tax deduction
- May help bring in larger contributions
Potential cons:
- Added legal obligations and administrative complexity
- Possible limitations on how we operate or collaborate
This decision will also affect how strict and compliant our system needs to be. If we do issue tax certificates, a robust and integrated platform like Odoo becomes even more crucial. If not, we may retain more flexibility.
What we want to avoid
We do not want:
- A mess of disconnected tools
- Manual data entry that eats up our time
- Technology choices that feel outdated in two years
That’s why we’re opting for standardized, integrated software, with a focus on:
- Fast implementation
- Easy maintenance
- Long-term affordability
Final thought: starting digital ≠ scaling digital
You don’t need to be a big organization to make big decisions. At Vaugnity, we’ve chosen to start with professional, integrated, future-ready tools. Not because we have to—but because our mission deserves it.
Digital maturity isn’t a destination. It’s a daily decision. We’ve chosen to take that seriously from the start.