How Does Technology Affect Nonprofit Organizations?
If you’re like most nonprofits, you probably use some technology. Maybe you’ve got a CRM, maybe you post on social media, and at least some of your employees or volunteers are likely working on a computer. But are there more advanced technologies out there? And if so, are the benefits they provide worth the investment?
We think so, but because we offer technology services for nonprofits, we’re probably a little biased—but for good reason! Nonprofit technology trends have changed a lot over the past few years, and powerful tools have been developed that can help you track grants, raise money, connect with donors, manage volunteers, and save time. Sound interesting? Keep reading to learn more about how technology can help nonprofits make the most of their mission.
What Nonprofits Need to Know About Technology
Before we dive into some of the non profit organizations’ problems and solutions that technology can help with, what do nonprofits really need to know about technology? In truth, there’s a lot. But we boiled it down into three bite-sized pieces that’ll hopefully get you thinking about all the ways tech can truly help. If you walk away with anything from this article, we hope it’s this.
Technology Can Drive Your Mission. Only 11% of nonprofit organizations agree that their approach to digital technology is highly effective. But with the right tech tools, your organization can soar to new heights. Consider what access to better data might provide. Or what more thorough marketing could bring in on #GivingTuesday.
Technology Can Improve Efficiencies. When we think about tech, we often just straight to costs. And it can cost money, don’t get us wrong. But what we don’t think about are the efficiencies it can drive through automation and other smart technologies—ultimately giving your employees the time to do more human work with donors or constituents.
You’re Not in it Alone. About 40% of nonprofits have fewer than five employees. That means that most nonprofits are unlikely to have a dedicated IT person—unless you happen to hire someone with tech chops that can perform double duty. But you’re not in it alone. Managed services partners like Computers in Ministry (CIM) can help with all your tech needs, including finding the right solutions for your budget.
How Does Technology Impact Nonprofits?
Technology has the potential to transform the nonprofit sector if organizations are open and willing to embrace change, learn a little (or a lot) about the new kinds of technology out there, and rethink processes to integrate new technologies into daily operations.
Ok…We know that sounds like a lot. Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with the challenges facing nonprofit organizations in 2022 alone. That’s exactly why we started CIM, to help nonprofits embrace, adopt, and implement tech tools that have the power to drive their missions to new heights. Here are just a few ways that technology is helping our partners and nonprofits everywhere.
Remote Collaboration
Since early 2020, one of the technology challenges for nonprofits and for-profits alike has been figuring out how to work and collaborate remotely. And while we’ve all made tremendous strides along the way, as organizations continue to define what their new normal looks like, some form of remote collaboration will likely be necessary. Tools like Slack, Zoom, and Google Meet have become mission-critical to our day-to-day work lives. But what about solutions like chatbots or texting that allow organizations to work with constituents virtually? The challenge becomes finding the right combination of tools to meet all your needs and stay within budget.
Grant Tracking and Data Transparency
As grants have become more competitive over the years, so too have the requirements for the grants themselves. These days, most grantors have requirements in place for data reporting. Nonprofits have to show, with clear evidence and data, that the grant dollars are driving change or improving outcomes—and this is especially true for long-term, multi-year grants. Yet, without powerful data governance tools in place, tracking all of this in an Excel spreadsheet can be overwhelming. Today, grant tracking tools and powerful CRMs can provide nonprofit organizations with more oversight and more transparency.
Fundraising and Donor Engagement
Along with grants, most nonprofits rely on donations, both large and small. Consistently connecting with donors to thank them, ensure they feel appreciated, and share stories about the good work you’re doing can mean all the difference between retention and attrition. According to The Association of Fundraising Professionals, donor retention hovers around 45%. Technology-forward donor tracking tools allow nonprofits to stay in contact with their donors, automate communications, and ensure they’re doing everything possible to keep their donors engaged.
Computers in Ministry: Driving Nonprofit Technology Innovation
After all that, we hope you’re interested in how technology can help with your short- and long-term goals and missions. At CIM, we offer organizational and consulting services, security and risk management, technology services, and user services—providing you with everything you might need to get your tech plan off the ground.
We believe in the good work you’re doing, and we want to partner with you to help you advance your mission. Ready to learn more? Reach out to us today.