The Trails program nurtures emotional intelligence and cultivates young leaders by offering mentorship, counselling and guidance. With Trails’ help, participants not only transform their own lives but also go on to drive positive change within their communities. This unique charity stands as a testament to compassion and dedication, illuminating a path toward a brighter future where youth can overcome obstacles, unlock their potential and thrive in a world filled with possibilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With more than 500 graduates, multiple levels of mentorship and programming\u2014and an average of $1.5 million raised annually through private funding\u2014day-to-day operations can get a little hectic at Trails\u2019 main office in Stouffville, Ontario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In today\u2019s increasingly digital world, Trails was looking for digital payment solutions<\/a> to meet their evolving accounting needs, streamline their money management operations, increase efficiency and reduce paperwork and administrative burden. This way, they could focus on what matters most\u2014providing vulnerable Canadian youth with transformative adventures that boost their confidence and life skills, ultimately helping them grow into resilient and self-assured individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Office manager Leslie McGill does her best to keep all the accounting plates spinning in the nonprofit\u2019s busy headquarters, where she\u2019s overseen most of Trails\u2019 financial processes and donations for nearly a decade. She handles everything from expense tracking and management to invoicing and accounts receivable to payroll to vendor payments and bank statement reconciliation, all of which she and her colleagues felt were ripe for digital transformation while juggling several other important duties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Seeking to save time and energy, Leslie and her colleagues were eager to modernize the nonprofit\u2019s money management systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Trails used Interac<\/em> e-Transfer sporadically right before the pandemic, then soon transitioned to using the payments solution for most of its financial processes. \u201cIt was so easy that we fully embraced digital payment transformation,\u201d she says, \u201cand we haven\u2019t looked back since.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s because embracing Interac<\/em> e-Transfer for your business opens up a range of benefits\u2014for Trails\u2014that were previously unavailable with traditional manual methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the top advantages of making the switch, according to Trails, are enhanced efficiency, improved financial accuracy and transparency, cost savings, simplified donation management and increased donor engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since making the initial switch, Trails continues to reap the benefits of how efficient and cost-effective Interac<\/em> e-Transfer is compared to traditional manual accounting methods. \u201cBefore we switched, the costs of stamps, cheques, envelopes and other supplies added up,\u201d Leslie says. \u201cBut with this easy-to-use digital payment solution in place, we\u2019re able to skip the paper trails and save time, and we never wait for a cheque to get mailed, cashed and cleared.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like many organizations that use Interac<\/em> e-Transfer for Business, Trails also enjoys the convenience and confidence of sending and receiving real-time, higher-value payments with immediate confirmation. In addition, using Interac<\/em> e-Transfer for Business also means quicker access to funds and better management of liquidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s safe, seamless and takes a second,\u201d says Leslie. \u201cIt\u2019s just a very easy process\u2014no big deal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to accepting donations online, Trails has largely shifted from cash and cheque donations to Interac<\/em> e-Transfer, as another, more convenient and cost-effective donation solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And they\u2019re not alone. A growing number of nonprofit organizations are ready to try digital methods for accepting donations. When it comes to donors, they too are looking for more modern ways to donate to nonprofits. Recent research shows that a growing number of people, especially younger donors, prefer to donate to charities online<\/a> versus donations via cash contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPeople want to make their donation go further,\u201d says Leslie, \u201cand they want to make sure their full donation is going to Trails. That\u2019s why they prefer to send donations via Interac<\/em> e-Transfer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, keeping track of Interac<\/em> e-Transfer donations is easier than giving cash because it provides a digital trail and documentation, allowing for seamless record-keeping for both the donor and the charity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of its mission to enrich the lives of vulnerable youth, Trails regularly enlists the talents of local vendors, including educators and entertainers, and a chef who cooks for the kids on weekends and at special events. Most Trails event expenses, including vendors, equipment purchases and rentals (such as stages and tents) are made quicker and easier using Interac<\/em> e-Transfer for Business, which opened up the ability to send higher-value transactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enabling organizations to send their own funds from their bank account, Interac<\/em> e-Transfer for Business automatically notifies Trails when each vendor payment is complete. Plus, Leslie can see the transaction history at any time, which helps her quickly keep track of past payments and better plan and budget for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaking payments this way takes less time than writing a cheque,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd you can see your real-time bank balance adjusting accordingly, allowing you to budget better as you go, which can help you to make more informed financial decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks to rich remittance data and ease of integrating Interac<\/em> e-Transfer for Business into accounts receivable and payable<\/a>, invoice numbers can be attached to the transfers, so Trails always knows who is getting paid for what.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Family members of participants in Trails\u2019 inspiring programs are also embracing Interac<\/em> e-Transfer. In fact, the majority are paying the fee needed to secure children\u2019s individual spots in the program using it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNinety-eight per cent of the 150 families with children enrolled used Interac<\/em> e-Transfer to pay the fee,\u201d says Leslie. \u201cThe payment no longer has to go through many hands before I receive it. Now it\u2019s immediate, and I instantly know which family has paid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking of saving time, Leslie estimates that she saves up to two hours a week on Trails\u2019 accounting and financial operations since the organization incorporated Interac<\/em> e-Transfer for business payments. \u201cThat\u2019s a big part of why we use it for pretty all of our payments now\u2014from vendor to bill payments, and at our events when accepting donations and selling our 30th anniversary T-shirts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Embracing innovation that makes a lasting difference with Interac<\/em> e-Transfer for Business doesn\u2019t just simplify Trails’ operations, it helps the organization further support the community and expands its impact even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By streamlining and modernizing its financial processes with Interac<\/em> e-Transfer for Business, Leslie and her Trails colleagues have more time and energy to focus on what matters the most to them\u2014helping Canadian youth thrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIncorporating this payment solution has been a game-changer,\u201d she says. \u201cIt allows us to send and receive money when needed\u2014quickly and without complications or red tape. And, ultimately, that allows us to be more responsive and engaged across the board.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Give your organization a leading payments solution today. Talk to your financial advisor about using Interac<\/em> e-Transfer for your business. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.interac.ca\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2023\/07\/image-3.png.webp\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMaking the switch to digital payments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A safe, streamlined digital banking solution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Digitized and modernized donations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fast, flexible vendor payments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Seamlessly securing empowering opportunities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Enhancing and extending impact for the greater good<\/h2>\n\n\n\n