RSMUS.comIt is no news that this past year’s pandemic has challenged companies to reimagine how they go about their daily business processes and planning for the future. For the Non-profit sector, it has been no different. However, several avenues are leading non-profits towards a more innovative means of doing business.
Cloud Connectivity
While the idea of moving an entire infrastructure “into the cloud” may sound intimidating for well-established organizations, transitioning to cloud-based solutions can provide a much more streamlined approached to running a non-profit. From data management to task automation, having a solution that can manage multiple work streams can help optimize daily operations. Today, providers such as Microsoft1 offer discount packages to non-profit clients that provide automated solutions through a low cost approach. However, it is important to keep security risks in mind. While cloud solutions create an easy on-the go experience, data privacy efforts are a main factor to keep in mind when deciding to move to the cloud. Looking back, the technology adoptions non-profits have made this past year have allowed them to not skip a beat while adjusting to this new normal.
Virtual-Fundraising
Whether it is a virtual 5K or concert, or an online auction or gala dinner, non-profits are getting creative with their donors. The important concept to keep in mind is that when times get-tough people are actually more incline to donate. A study done by Fidelity Charitable2 actually shows that while “54% of donors plan to maintain their giving levels, 25% plan to increase their donations”. The key being how to target that 25%. While advising non-profits, it is clear targeting methods vary across generational audiences. For those who have come accustom to the check writing or pocket change handouts, this new age of mobile-donations can be an adjustment. It is important to make sure donors feel safe and comfortable with these new donation methods and making this process as familiar to them as possible will help non-profit organizations build trust with their constituents. Since volunteers have been less likely to engage in in-person events, non-profits are encouraged to optimize their online presence in order maintain visibility to current constituents and engage with new donors.
Data Analytics
Pulling insights out of information. Wouldn’t it be nice to know what would be the best audience to target or who the best donors to reach out to would be? How about knowing what fundraising events brought in the most money this year and how trends have varied over the past five years? The answers all lie within the analytics of a company’s data, which can be easily done with cloud solutions such as Microsoft’s Power Platform. By incorporating analytic tools, non-profits can make data-driven decisions more confidently and provide accurate representation of dollar allocation to key stakeholders.
As we hope to see the light at the end of this pandemic, the technology enhancements that have been adopted within the Non-profit sector will not fade out. Overall, it is an exciting time for change. Regardless of the obstacle, we encourage non-profits to discover the endless opportunities that technology can provide.
Resources
1 – https://news.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2021/02/24/microsoft-cloud-for-nonprofit-covid-19/
2 – https://www.fidelitycharitable.org/insights/how-covid-19-is-shifting-donor-giving.html
3 – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/nonprofits/dynamics-365
