As previously touched upon in this book, our current standing in the evolution of technological functionality has its advantages. This is especially true considering how technological advancements can optimize operations for businesses and nonprofits. For example, processes such as marketing, management, and human resources can be improved by using the internet, specialized software systems, and other technological tools.
So how can nonprofits utilize the technology available in 2022 to keep the operations running and the donations coming? Well, many of the techniques that other kinds of organizations have been using can apply to the model of a nonprofit. Corporations, schools, religious groups, and other types of organizations have taken the last two years to refine their processes in order to function in a way that keeps them and the individuals they interact with safe through the use of technology.
In this post, we will discuss some of the ways in which nonprofit organizations can use the power of tools and software to carry out functions safely and appropriately.
Virtual Video Communication Tools
A large part of what makes nonprofits succeed and raise donations is the face-to-face connections that help nonprofits build relationships with donors and get the word out about important causes. Fundraising through in-person contact is a great way to facilitate connections. Even with the safety concerns of the past couple of years causing difficulty with making connections, we don’t need to say goodbye to this part of fundraising completely. Virtual communication tools can allow connections to be made remotely from safe distances.
By now, everyone has heard of Zoom, the online virtual tool for meetings and gatherings via their video platform. However, many other video platforms exist as well and can be great for hosting virtual nonprofit fundraising events, new partnerships, or staff meetings within your organization. Some of these similar video platforms include:
- Skype and Skype for Business – This is an excellent option for casual or professional meetings. Helpful features include screen sharing capabilities and 24/7 instant messaging, and Skype for Business lets you hold virtual events with up to 250 different participants. This is a secure and long-trusted platform for digital video meetings.
- Microsoft Teams – This platform is an excellent choice for holding workplace events and conferences, and nonprofits can use it for organizational meetings. In addition to digital video collaboration, members in the program can benefit from the plan’s extra features, including PowerPoint, Excel, and the online version of WordPerfect. File sharing and storage can also take place in the system, and up to 300 people can be a part of a Microsoft team network.
- Google Meet – This video conference solution is a great option for meetings with individuals in and out of the organization. Formerly known as Hangouts Meet, this service is now available without downloading any software, simply by using a web browser or the Google Meet app. The video tool also has speech recognition technology to provide live captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing users.
- Cisco WebEx – This is a popular option among businesses for its online training and meeting capabilities. The plans include high-definition video, screen sharing, and unlimited meetings. Some programs also come with Cloud recording and storage, so you can have a recorded copy of the meeting to use for future reference.
Remote Work Tools
Teams can perform communication and collaboration with the help of remote work tools. These tools help businesses and other types of organizations to maintain structure, stay on track, and stay on the same page.
While many work tools have been created with the intention of helping traditional workforce processes, nonprofits can benefit from it as well. Nonprofit users can also access helpful features of these tools, like storage capabilities, data transferring, messages, analytics, and more. Here are a few examples of remote work tools and systems:
- Slack – This is a professional chatting system that is easy to use and can be integrated with many other systems and apps. Users can create teams and channels for different groups and conversation topics and searching for shared information is easy. Messaging occurs in real-time, and users can communicate one-on-one or between multiple group members.
- SoapBox – The collaborative meeting agenda tool is good for setting up discussions between members of an organization. Your nonprofit is sure to benefit from its assignment features and the ability to provide feedback, as well. The system also uses AI to provide insights based on your team’s actions to measure work, communication, growth, and motivation.
- Google Drive – This Google tool lets users remotely share assets and files. It is secure, so you know that your sensitive information will be safe, and you can choose to sync your computer’s files to your Google Drive for easy access. In fact, Google Drive is a part of Google Workspace, formerly known as G Suite, a platform that can let your team collaborate on Google Sheet, Google Slide, Google Docs, and more digital work tools.
- Taskworld – Taskworld is a work tool that can help your team members manage projects and stay on top of their tasks and subtasks all in one tool. It is also great for communication as it has a feature that lets leaders measure staff performance and provide feedback.
Digital Marketing and Fundraising
Forming connections with the members of your community is essential for reaching new donors and speaking the word of your organization. Luckily, we live in a time where technological advancements and tools make it possible to do this safely – even in a pandemic.
There is a wide array of tools that can help with marketing and fundraising digitally. Social media has boomed in the past few decades, and it is an undeniably large part of our lives and our ability to spread information effectively. Email marketing can be utilized by your organization with tools that let you control the specialized features of your campaign.
And another thing to remember is that donating online is more secure than ever before. Online banking and financial tools make receiving money and processing payments from donors hassle-free and keep your donor’s sensitive information safe. With that in mind, read on to learn more about digital marketing and fundraising technology in the following chapters.
Next>New Ways of Marketing and Building Your Nonprofit Brand
