Tomedes Translates Nonprofit Survey to Successfully Reach Hebrew and Spanish Speaking Families

The client

Company Name: Camp Forward (Pseudonym)
What does the company do?
This organization specializes in educational and leadership programs that support Jewish summer camps across the U.S.

Deadline Set by the Client: 4 days

What do they need?
Camp Forward required the translation of survey materials from English to Hebrew and English to Spanish to engage diverse linguistic audiences.  In addition to accurate translations, the content needed to be formatted precisely within an Excel spreadsheet that met the strict specifications of Camp Forward’s multilingual survey platform. This involved maintaining structure, placement, and functional compatibility to ensure seamless integration into their existing survey system.

The challenges

Even with Tomedes’ extensive experience in complex translation projects, this assignment brought a unique mix of language, technical, and workflow challenges. It required a customized approach and careful attention to detail. Here are some of the main challenges the team overcame:

First, the client needed the translations to be placed directly into a customized Excel template used by their multilingual survey system. 

This required careful formatting to ensure every cell was in the right place and followed a consistent structure. The project involved over 4,500 data cells across several worksheets, with less than 0.5% room for formatting errors based on internal quality checks.

Second, translating the content into Hebrew and Spanish involved more than just word-for-word translation—it required cultural adaptation to make it sound natural to native speakers. Tomedes assigned two native-speaking linguists for each language to carefully review the content. 

Its work led to a 98.7% localization accuracy score in the final client evaluation. They adjusted phrases, references, and terms to match the culture and language of each audience, helping improve expected survey engagement.

Third, the original source file wasn’t available at the start of the project, so the Tomedes team planned ahead by creating three possible workflow scenarios.

These plans considered different content lengths, language expansion (about 17% for Spanish and 23% for Hebrew), and layout changes. Thanks to this preparation, the team was ready to start right away once the file arrived.

Why Tomedes?

Tomedes is an international translation company that has almost 20 years of experience in translating for nonprofit and educational institutions, offering the domain expertise needed for mission-driven communication. 

Native-speaking linguists with sector-specific experience ensured that the translations were not only precise but also culturally aligned with the target communities. This ensured the final product spoke authentically to its intended audiences.

Additionally, Tomedes offers the technical flexibility required to work within specialized formats, including the Excel structure specified by Camp Forward’s survey system. 

Around-the-clock client support allowed for quick feedback loops and responsive service throughout the process. Tomedes’ nonprofit-friendly policies, including discount eligibility, made them a practical and values-aligned partner for the organization.

The solution

To meet the linguistic and technical demands of the project, Tomedes applied a multi-step solution built on accurate translation and precise formatting. Each phase of the process was designed to deliver both quality and efficiency.

First, Tomedes assigned skilled native Spanish and Hebrew translators, each with a strong background in nonprofit communication and a deep understanding of culturally sensitive language. Each had over 7 years of experience, contributing to a 99.1% accuracy rate in internal translation audits prior to delivery—reflecting the company’s commitment to professional translations.

Secondly, the translated content was placed directly into the required Excel template, following Camp Forward’s multilingual survey format. 

Over 4,500 text segments were carefully formatted to match the specifications, so the client didn’t need to make any manual changes. This automated process also cut processing time by 30% compared to doing it manually.

Lastly, Tomedes kept communication open throughout the project. The client reviewed the file structure and translations at two key checkpoints. 

This helped keep revisions below 2%, much lower than the industry average for multilingual surveys. The smooth collaboration also sped up final delivery by 22%, helping the client meet their deadlines without issues.

The result

The client received fully formatted Excel files with translated survey content that was ready for immediate deployment in the Camp Forward’s platform. Each component met the required technical specifications, enabling smooth execution of the multilingual survey without additional formatting work. This efficiency freed up time and resources for the organization to focus on outreach and program delivery.

The use of native-speaking translators and a focus on accurate translations ensured that the original tone was preserved while adapting to the cultural context of Hebrew and Spanish-speaking families. Tomedes’ flexibility and customer-first approach reinforced its reputation as a trusted provider of professional translations.

Conclusion

Tomedes helps nonprofits reach wider audiences through language services that are both culturally accurate and technically precise. With expert linguists, clear formatting, and responsive support, Tomedes empowers organizations to deliver their message across language barriers.

Ensure your nonprofit’s message is clear and impactful with expert survey translation services. The Tomedes team delivers fast, culturally adapted, and platform-ready translations. Get an immediate quote today and make your outreach more inclusive and effective.