Technology: Friend or Foe?
The nonprofit sector is known for operating on tight budgets, so the cost of additional, current technology can seem prohibitive. But effective use of technology can bring efficiency, innovation, and a stronger delivery on mission, which should justify the additional costs and the challenges involved with integrating new systems into operational structures.
According to the data collected through the Salesforce Nonprofit Trends Report, an independently administered survey of 1,629 full-time nonprofit managers, digital transformation is taking center stage.
Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed view digital transformation as essential. However, just one in eight indicated that their organizations could further develop their use of technology. The survey found that only 12% of nonprofits could be considered digitally mature, despite the fact that the right technology, used properly can render organizations four times more likely to achieve mission-focused goals and twice as likely to realize improvements in operational efficiencies. If you are responsible for getting the most out of your nonprofit’s resources, technology can be your friend.
A Strategic Approach to Technology is Essential
Whether you’ve embraced the latest digital advancements or are considering the best way to dip your toe in the water, it is important to remember that integrating technology into your operations is more than just adding software. The value of your investments will rest on strategically selecting digital tools that will enable staff and stakeholders to deliver on the organization’s mission.
The public is demanding digital engagement as never before. As a result, nonprofits with a high level of digital maturity are excelling, and digitally mature nonprofits are outperforming their peers regardless of their size, revenue, or geographic location. Beyond operational performance, technologically astute organizations excel culturally. They are 3.5 times more likely to have highly motivated staff who are more optimistic about their workplace and report lower levels of burnout.
Getting Technology Right is Challenging
Although nonprofits view technology as critical, few are satisfied with their current technology.
“Data isn’t just for reporting. It’s for making the critical decisions that improve the quality of programs and put relationships at the center,” says Brandi Adams, Vice President of Advancement at the Chinese American Service League, in her response to the Salesforce study.
Yet, according to the Trends Report, only 36% of nonprofit leaders admit they are “highly satisfied” with the technology that helps them do their jobs today, and less than half of those surveyed say they are actually able to make quick strategic decisions.
Meanwhile, 60% of nonprofits said donors expect a better experience than their current technology provides. And, despite a common feeling that technology cannot replace the “personal touch,” the data shows that digitally mature organizations actually have stronger connections with all stakeholder groups.
But when nonprofits adopt software that they don’t fully understand and cannot use effectively, technology becomes an obstacle rather than the answer. Too often, I see organizations connect to software that is free to use, banding together multiple platforms all focused on accomplishing different tasks with no consideration for how they may, or may not, integrate with one another. Endless hours with various help desks ensue. Without a strategic approach, your digital evolution will become an uphill battle.
Technology Doesn’t Run Itself
Technology alone is not going to run your reports, manage your data, acknowledge your donors, or register attendees for your upcoming event. In other words, you can try to tap all the technology available to you, but without a plan, organization-wide protocols, and staff members who are properly trained, you will wind up underutilizing the technical power available to you. Worse, you risk reverting to manual alternatives that seem easier than learning new systems.
Therefore, when you consider expanding your organization’s use of technology, you need to also engage trained staff support – like the nonprofit virtual assistance professionals at More Than Giving. Your development team needs to be soliciting gifts, not struggling with how to automate acknowledgement letters or segment prospect lists. Technology can only make an impact if someone is able to use it.
In Conclusion
Remote work, society’s high expectations for engaging digitally, and ever-expanding capabilities should be making every nonprofit professional take notice. And the truth is that technology can streamline your work and expand your ability to reach out to the community. In fact, nearly 74% of those surveyed by Salesforce deem digital transformation as essential.
With a strategic approach, planning, and investments in training and knowledgeable staff support, your organization can be among those that are using technology to advance their work.
Schedule a call to discuss how a Nonprofit Virtual Assistant can support expanding technology at your organization.