AdEx Partners News, CR/ESG
„Data is no longer just a technical Responsibility – It’s a Shared Strategic Asset”
How the AdEx Digital Bootcamp helped the World Scout Foundation strengthen Donor Relationships through Data-Driven Fundraising and CRM Transformation
Fundraising Officer Flor Cagliero and Mischa Rychener, Director of Philanthropy, from the World Scout Foundation took part in the AdEx Digital Bootcamp in Switzerland, where they tackled some of their organization’s most pressing data management challenges.
In this interview, they share the key digital hurdles facing their nonprofit, how the AdEx Digital Bootcamp and the subsequent consulting helped them move forward, which practical tools and strategies they are already applying in their day-to-day work, and what advice they would give to other NGOs navigating their own digital transformation journey.
Mischa Rychener (l.) and Flor Cagliero from the World Scout Foundation talk about how they benefited from the AdEx Digital Bootcamp in an interview.
AdEx Partners: Before joining our Digital Bootcamp, what challenge were you trying to solve?
Mischa Rychener: Our main challenge was making better use of the tools we already had – Salesforce, marketing automation, social channels, and our website. We wanted to collect, manage and enrich our data more intelligently to strengthen donor‑centric communication and build long‑term relationships. Ultimately, this supports our ambitious goal of raising USD 100 million by 2030.
AdEx Partners: Why was this challenge so critical for your organization?
Mischa Rychener: We engage with several different donor segments, from first‑time supporters to long‑term major donors giving at higher levels. Each group needs tailored communication. As a small team with limited resources, we are competing with large charities and the private sector that can offer more tailored user experiences, and we have to make donors feel understood and valued in order to foster lifelong engagement.
AdEx Partners: What did success look like when you applied for the bootcamp?
Flor Cagliero: We were looking for external guidance and help with prioritization. Success meant having a clear roadmap: understanding our data infrastructure, building internal capabilities, and developing messages that truly resonate with donors based on data.
AdEx Partners: What were the most visible CRM or data challenges?
Flor Cagliero: We lacked a complete picture of our systems and integrations as well as limited personal donor data. This led to incomplete donor profiles and inconsistent data quality, which made segmentation and targeted communication very difficult.
AdEx Partners: How did the bootcamp format help move from ideas to action?
Mischa Rychener: The kick-off workshop was a turning point. Mapping our entire digital infrastructure visually helped us understand its complexity for the first time. It created alignment and trust within the project team.
Flor Cagliero: The sprint meetings kept us focused. Breaking down actions into manageable steps made progress tangible and achievable.
AdEx Partners: What key insights did you gain from mapping your data landscape?
Flor Cagliero: We realized how complex our setup really was – and where the gaps were. Some data flows had unclear ownership, and we discovered missing data‑collection steps. This awareness alone was incredibly valuable.
AdEx Partners: Did the bootcamp change how you work with data day to day?
Flor Cagliero: Absolutely. We now treat every donor interaction as a data‑enrichment opportunity. We introduced regular checks, clearer documentation, and more disciplined data entry practices.
Mischa Rychener: There was also a mindset shift. Data is no longer seen as a purely technical responsibility – it’s a shared strategic asset across the organization.
AdEx Partners: What concrete results came out of the bootcamp?
Flor Cagliero: We improved donor segmentation, accelerated reporting, and introduced an internal CRM issue‑tracking system. We also gained much better visibility into donor engagement through newly established dashboards.
AdEx Partners: What made the project successful from your perspective?
Flor Cagliero: Strong collaboration, external perspectives without internal bias, and clear ownership of tools and processes. Everyone knew their role.
AdEx Partners: What’s next for you?
Mischa Rychener: We plan to run an additional donor survey, develop a scoring model and additional segmentation in Salesforce, and continue strengthening our data‑quality practices. In addition, we will define clearer roles and responsibilities for the management of the CRM.
AdEx Partners: What advice would you give other NGOs considering a similar journey?
Mischa Rychener: Go for it – and make sure you appoint someone internally to lead the process. Full engagement makes all the difference!
The interview was conducted by Friederike Keuter-Thies and Hans-Peter Heuser.
About AdEx Partners
As a Trusted Advisor for digital transformation and IT strategy, AdEx Partners supports leading companies in shaping Europe‘s digital future. AdEx Partners was founded in Hamburg in 2012 and now operates throughout the DACH region. The team of around 300 consultants, with an average of 13 years of industry experience, implements customized solutions in the consulting areas of ERP, data value management, and business transformation.
In 2025, AdEx Partners expanded through AdEx Intelligence and our subsidiary BMC Strategy Consultants, strengthening our capabilities in AI Transformation and strategic management consulting with a focus on Financial Services. This enables us to offer clients a complete end-to-end service package – from strategy development to the execution of complex business transformations. We collaborate with more than 60% of DAX companies across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, industry, retail, and financial services.
AdEx Partners has been recognized as a “Hidden Champion” four times in a row by the business magazine “Capital” and has won seven “Best of Consulting” awards from WirtschaftsWoche. In 2025, we ranked among the Top 20 in the ’Germany’s Best Employers 2025’ competition by Great Place to Work®.
AdEx Partners Digital Bootcamps
Digital participation is not a privilege! As a shared responsibility, it must be inclusive in an increasingly technology-driven world. Our bootcamps are a vibrant expression of this commitment: So far, we have shared our expertise, methods, time and trust with over 40 non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and foundations in Germany and Switzerland.
With each edition, AdEx Partners underscores its commitment to social impact by helping NGOs strengthen their digital resilience. Interested organizations from the DACH region should follow the latest updates on future bootcamp opportunities.
For further information about the bootcamp, please contact us at [email protected]
Learn more about our CR activities
About World Scout Foundation
The World Scout Foundation develops and strengthens the impact of Scouting worldwide through the provision of financial and other resources to the World Organization of the Scout Movement. It brings together select philanthropic institutions, corporate investment, and government support with a remarkable global network of passionate and dedicated individual supporters of Scouting, “Baden-Powell Fellows”, who give their time and resources and lend their names and networks to help young people create a better world.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do, driving the Foundation’s goals by generously supporting the cause of World Scouting and helping us continue to grow our network. Together, we have embarked on an ambitious Strategy 2022-2030 to raise an additional USD 100 million and further engage an expanded network of incredible supporters to increase the resources we provide to World Scouting, so that more young people and their communities around the world can benefit.