How Horizons Transformed Employee Connection Through the Workvivo for Good Program

We started the Workvivo for Good program to give nonprofits modern tools that enhance engagement, elevate storytelling, and build stronger internal communities.

In October 2024, Horizons, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children, youth, and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities, joined the program with a clear goal: to strengthen communication while preserving the vibrant storytelling culture that defines their agency.

Today, they say the change has been transformational. We spoke to Horizons’ Chief Operating Officer, Terry Ford, to learn more. 

Moving from Meta Workplace

Before Workvivo, Horizons used Meta Workplace. When Meta announced it would be shutting down the platform, Horizons needed a new solution quickly – one built for the realities of frontline and community-based nonprofit work.

Enter Workvivo for Good.

With the support of implementation partner LineZero, Horizons migrated to Workvivo in less than six weeks. For a small two-person IT team, this could have been overwhelming. In reality, Horizons described the journey as “seamless”.

Weekly check-ins, clear implementation guidance, and hands-on onboarding support ensured the rollout was not only smooth but energizing. Staff quickly understood how to use the platform and immediately recognized its potential to build connection in new, meaningful ways.

Preserving (and elevating) Horizons’ storytelling culture

For Horizons, storytelling isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s the foundation of how the organization celebrates success, trains new employees, and reinforces its culture of care.

The team’s biggest fear during the migration was losing this core part of their identity. Instead, Workvivo strengthened it.

Terry shares, “Workvivo promotes our values in a way that we could never do, even with a thousand trainings.”

Video-first storytelling became easier – and more impactful

Staff immediately embraced the platform’s video-posting capabilities. Whether capturing a moment from a classroom, celebrating a milestone with a family, or sharing a best practice from the field, teams find it simple and intuitive to upload content.

Spaces created natural hubs for sharing and connection

Workvivo’s Spaces feature has become a way for every department to showcase wins, highlight learning moments, and share updates with colleagues across the organization. By giving Horizons colleagues the opportunity to share their stories, Spaces allow them to contribute directly to a warm company culture. 

Terry says, “We’re very appreciative of Workvivo. We’re an agency that truly walks the walk when it comes to our positive values. We do the work. Workvivo allows us to show our entire agency those positive things that are happening.”

A platform that makes frontline employees feel seen

Nonprofit frontline workers juggle intense caseloads, emotional labor, and unpredictable schedules. Many rarely sit at a desk, making traditional corporate communication channels ineffective.

Workvivo’s mobile-first design has made immediate communication possible, even for staff constantly on the go. Being able to share videos or react to a colleague’s update helps those without desks feel more connected to Horizons’ mission. 

That connection extends to leaders, too, who can see what’s happening across programs in real time. This means they can spotlight and celebrate moments that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

Better learning, better onboarding, and a more connected workforce

An unexpected bonus for Horizons has been Workvivo’s help in standardizing and scaling cross-team learning.

“The posts, videos, and images that we share on the platform allow us to learn from each other, and train new staff – it all demonstrates the positive practices we want everyone to know about,” Terry says.

Videos showing classroom activities, de-escalation techniques, therapeutic models, or family engagement strategies aren’t just inspiring – they’ve become reusable training tools.

New hires can see real examples of practice, staff can learn from each other without waiting for quarterly in-person sessions, and leaders can highlight exceptional work instantly.

The result? A stronger sense of shared purpose and a more consistent experience across the organization.

Why Workvivo for Good matters for nonprofits like Horizons

The Workvivo for Good program was built on a simple belief: nonprofits deserve best-in-class technology that helps them engage and support their people, without the financial barriers that often block access to top-tier tools.

Horizons’ success reflects the transformative impact this kind of technology can have.

1. Stronger culture

Workvivo has given Horizons a modern home for connection – one that celebrates the work, people, and mission that make the organization thrive.

2. Improved internal communication

Announcements, updates, shoutouts, and stories flow through one central platform – accessible to every employee, regardless of role or location.

3. Increased engagement

People now participate more, share more, and recognize each other more often. Engagement is no longer a one-way message – it’s a living conversation.

4. Richer employee experience

Workvivo provides Horizons with a sustainable, mobile-friendly, dynamic platform that grows alongside their needs.

5. A future-proof solution

Nonprofits change fast – and so do their communication needs. With Workvivo, Horizons knows the platform will continue to evolve with them.

Building a more connected future for Horizons

One of the clearest signs of Horizons’ success with Workvivo is how quickly it became more than a communication tool – it’s now a cultural anchor.

Staff use it daily to connect with colleagues, share wins, ask for help, celebrate milestones, and learn together. Leadership has better visibility into the work happening on the ground.

New hires feel welcomed into a strong community from day one. And Horizons’ longstanding storytelling culture hasn’t simply been preserved, it’s thriving.

Workvivo hasn’t replaced the heart of Horizons, but amplified it.