You could be forgiven for thinking that digital transformation is just for businesses looking to maximize profits; it’s a popular corporate buzzword, after all. But a digital transformation can be game changing for a nonprofit organization, maximizing their impact instead of an earnings report.
Let’s take a look at some examples of how digital transformation can elevate nonprofits, and hopefully, they can inspire you to utilize modern technology to further the goals of your organization.
1. Virtual events and fundraisers
As awful as the COVID-19 pandemic was, it did necessitate a major leap in both remote work and virtual events. This means that now there is a wide range of tools and techniques you can utilize to hold events and fundraisers of all kinds online. Not only are virtual events much more affordable, but they also allow people who might not be able to attend a live event to participate, broadening your reach.
2. Donor management
There is a wealth of customer relationship management (CRM) tools on the market that can track donor behaviors and sales leads to keep donors more engaged and provide valuable insights to customer service representatives. These CRM programs work equally well managing a pool of donors and leads, and provide priceless donor interaction data while improving the overall efficiency of your office.
3. Volunteer management
Even if people really care about your cause, you’ll get more bodies and enthusiasm if it’s easy to sign up and volunteer with your organization. Cloud-powered tools can streamline the recruitment, training, coordinating, and management of your volunteers, making their experience more pleasant and freeing up time for your managers. You can even automate systems to help track volunteers’ hours and provide recognition for their efforts.
4. Outreach
No one has to tell you how important marketing is for nonprofit organizations, and thankfully, digital marketing tools work just as well for nonprofits as they do for enterprises. Every aspect of the marketing process can be improved with digital tools. For instance:
- SEO and email marketing tools can be used to reach more donors and get your message in front of them.
- Social media enables you to maximize outreach while reducing the time and effort needed to do so.
- Websites can be a great way to post blogs and progress updates on your mission, which may inspire future volunteers and donors to contribute.
5. Mobile apps
Mobile donor management apps empower donors to give in the manner they are most comfortable with, and ensure giving is fast and easy when the mood strikes them. You can also develop your own app that allows supporters to access information, make donations, and participate in campaigns directly from their mobile device. Not only will your nonprofit stay top of mind for your donors, but your outreach staff will also find it easier to work in the field.
6. Cybersecurity and compliance
Many nonprofit organizations think that because they are so low-tech and small that cybercriminals will ignore them. Unfortunately the opposite is true: you’re a prime target because cybercriminals know that nonprofits usually underspend on cybersecurity, and you store financial data just like businesses. The good news is a digital transformation can make your cybersecurity easier and more cost-effective with modern tools and outsourced IT services, so you can protect your organization without breaking the bank.
7. Cost savings
Adopting new digital technologies can greatly reduce your operational costs through automation, streamlined processes, and reduced reliance on paperwork. You can get more done with fewer resources, and put those cost savings back into your mission.
The term digital transformation may seem daunting at first in respect to funding, but it doesn’t need to be a complete overhaul of your IT systems. With thorough auditing and careful consideration, you can find the areas of your technology that will benefit the most from an upgrade while serving your need for cost-effective solutions.
A digital transformation guided by knowledgeable consultants is faster and easier, and ends up costing less in the long run, thanks to increased benefits and cost-efficiency. Contact Founders Technology Group today to learn how to take your nonprofit organization to the next level without breaking your budget.