Voices in Foundation Software | Zoey Fife

In the dynamic world of philanthropy and technology, our team members from the foundation space bring unique perspectives and valuable experiences to akoyaGO. Having firsthand knowledge of our clients’ challenges, they contribute invaluable insights to our product and services. Join us in this series as we explore the captivating journeys of these individuals, from foundations to their current roles, revealing stories of passion, connection, and technological innovation.

Meet Zoey Fife

Technical Support Representative, Tier III

With over 12 years of experience serving philanthropy, including roles at two community foundations, Zoey began her journey to foundation software at the Western Colorado Community Foundation. Here, she served as the Database Administrator and Scholarship Program Officer. In a team of five, Zoey stood out as one of the few with a technology background, shedding light on the crucial need for modern tech in the foundation space.

Zoey’s second stop was at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, where she initially joined as the Office Manager but swiftly transitioned into roles involving systems, database, and operations. During her six-year tenure, she collaborated with future akoyaGO team members, Chelsey Wagoner and Mark Montoya. The foundation was using our legacy product, Pearl, sparking Zoey’s initial connection with akoyaGO.

Joining our team three years ago, Zoey has proven to be a versatile asset, donning various hats within the organization. From being the first Tech Services hire to contributing to the Product team and assuming the role of Microsoft Dynamics CRM developer, Zoey now excels as a Technical Support Representative, Tier III. Her specialization ranges from grants and scholarship topics to CRM knowledge.

Zoey and her partner at the opening of the CFSAZ campus

Philanthropic Passion with Technological Expertise

Zoey’s passion for her role at akoyaGO stems from her firsthand experience in the challenges faced by foundations. Whether it’s the stress of application submissions, board meeting preparations, or day-to-day processes, she understands the pivotal role technology plays in supporting those dedicated to serving the community.

In her words, “Being able to help foundations serve their communities is why I love doing what I do. I get to work with our clients and see the true impact they make.” Zoey recognizes the unique workload gap in the nonprofit space, emphasizing that foundations are continually striving to meet the needs of their communities with limited resources.

Committed to evaluating grantmaking processes, she strives for foundations to operate with both effectiveness and efficiency. She believes in supporting foundations to make informed decisions with their dollars, striving for equity and responsiveness to the needs of applicants. She emphasizes, “It’s the nonprofit space…no one has too little of work to do”, adding that she finds fulfillment in introducing philanthropy to the transformative power of technology.

"Being able to help foundations serve their communities is why I love doing what I do. I get to work our clients and see the true impact they make."

Her enthusiasm is contagious as she collaborates with clients who share an appetite for making their processes more efficient. Zoey’s favorite feature of akoyaGO’s grantmaking platform, GOapply, is the ability to build dynamic applications. This ensures that applicants focus on relevant questions while eliminating the redundancy of information, a crucial factor in making informed funding decisions.

Zoey Fife’s journey from community foundations to foundation software is not just a career trajectory but a passionate pursuit to empower foundations with the right technological tools. Her commitment to supporting clients aligns perfectly with the akoyaGO value of being client centric. Zoey stands as a beacon in the philanthropic space, dedicated to celebrating the impact of foundations, building connections within the community, and providing unwavering support when needed.