About GROW Central Florida

Client: GROW Central Florida 
Industry: Private Foundation – Education 
Key Stakeholders: Colleen Gonzalez (Founder & Executive Director) 
Client Since: 2018 
Tools Used: SmartSimple Cloud 

Overview 

GROW Central Florida is a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 with a mission to increase opportunities for physical activity and healthy living among school-aged children. With a focus on supporting underfunded schools in Central Florida, GROW provides resources such as: 

  • Recess toys and running equipment 
  • Playground revitalizations 
  • New shoes for student athletes 
  • Support for cross-country programs and family engagement events 

What started as a passion project quickly gained recognition, including a nomination for the Florida Blue Foundation’s Sapphire Award, but behind the scenes, GROW was held back by administrative overload and manual processes. 

Challenges 

With a team of just one full-time administrator and one volunteer driver, GROW struggled to keep up with growing demand from the 44 schools they supported. Their systems consisted of paper-based forms, email threads, and Excel spreadsheets, making it difficult to: 

  • Track equipment reservations and inventory availability
  • Coordinate with schools and volunteers 
  • Maintain accurate and timely reporting  

The lack of a centralized system made it nearly impossible to scale, apply for large grants, or confidently report outcomes to partners and funders. 

Solutions Implemented 

With SmartSimple Cloud, GROW experienced immediate improvements: 

  • Centralized applicant and equipment data made it easier to manage programs across schools
  • A shared reservation calendar ensured clear scheduling and availability 
  • Automated workflows and email notifications reduced manual communication and errors  

GROW’s new digital portal was praised by both administrators and schools, functioning like a library system where schools could easily “check out” equipment with real-time tracking. 

Impact & Outcomes 

GROW Central Florida went from administrative chaos to operational clarity—and the impact was transformative: 

  • Saved countless hours in administrative work 
  • Enabled real-time collaboration with school staff and volunteers 
  • Created data-rich presentations that showcased program success 

In just six months, GROW was able to: 

  • Onboard 40 volunteers into the new system
  • Plan expansion into new counties including Orange, Lake, Seminole, and Polk 
  • Apply for larger grants using clear, visualized impact data
  • Perhaps the most telling of their success, on October 1, 2018, Colleen Gonzalez quit her full-time job to become the full-time Executive Director of GROW Central Florida.   

Client Testimonials 

“SmartSimple has given me an avenue to serve more people.” 
— Colleen Gonzalez, Founder & Executive Director 

“The SmartSimple staff were very specific and communicative.” 
— Colleen Gonzalez, Founder & Executive Director 

Key Takeaways 

Now fully equipped with a centralized system tailored to their mission, GROW Central Florida is set to expand its reach and amplify its impact. With efficient operations, data transparency, and a growing volunteer base, GROW can continue to make a difference, helping children grow up healthier and happier.