Nonprofits are increasingly taking advantage of technology in their fundraising efforts. In many cases, these tools are free and can be very effective at expanding outreach and gaining support for a cause or issue. Here is a list of the kinds of technology that nonprofits use so that you can get ideas on which ones to get for your nonprofit.
Case Management Software
Case management software is used to track the progress of cases or individual clients. This information can include contact information, notes about interactions with the client, and any updates or actions that have been taken. Using a case management system that works helps nonprofits to avoid losing track of clients and can help them maximize the impact they have on each client’s life. To illustrate how this works, imagine a nonprofit that helps refugees. They would be able to track each refugee’s case from the time they arrive in the country to the time they are settled into their new home. This would allow them to keep track of how many refugees they have helped, what needs still exist, and where additional help may be needed.
Presentation Software
Nonprofits are often called upon to make presentations or present information about their causes or issues to potential supporters. Using presentation software is a great way to organize this crucial information in an easy-to-follow manner that will make an impression on the audience. There are many different types of presentation software to choose from, but most allow you to include text, images, and videos to help explain your point. Additionally, many presentation software programs allow you to easily share your presentation online so that others can view it. This is a great way to get more people interested in your cause and to help them learn more about what you do.
To illustrate, imagine that a nonprofit dedicated to improving the environment wanted to create a presentation about their organization. They would be able to include information about how they are helping the planet, various scientific aspects of global warming, and other factors relevant to their cause. With presentation software, this could easily be accomplished in an organized manner complete with images or videos.
E-commerce Website
Nonprofits are increasingly using e-commerce websites to help raise money for their organizations. An e-commerce website essentially functions like any other online retailer by allowing users to purchase items or donations online. There are many different types of products that nonprofits can sell on their e-commerce websites, including apparel, mugs, jewellery, and more. One of the benefits of using an e-commerce website is that it doesn’t require a lot of additional work to maintain after setup, making it efficient and cost-effective.
To illustrate how this works, imagine that one charitable organization wanted to sell apparel on their website for supporters to purchase. They would be able to create custom apparel designs with the logo for their organization and sell these items directly on their website. Supporters can then purchase this apparel online and have it shipped directly to them with the organization’s custom design.
Social Media Sites
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Nonprofits are increasingly using social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, in order to communicate with current and potential supporters. These sites allow nonprofits to keep up-to-date on the events that are occurring around their organization, send out information about how to get involved, and communicate with current donors. Social media sites can help nonprofits to grow their audience of supporters, share important updates, and increase donations.
To illustrate how this works in practice, imagine that an organization dedicated to improving healthcare would like to use social media sites in order to notify its supporters about the events they are hosting. They can set up a Facebook or Twitter account and easily share posts and updates with all of their current and potential donors. This is a great way for them to get the word out about upcoming events, fundraisers, and more.
Cloud Storage
Cloud storage is a technology that allows users to store files online instead of on their computers. This can be a great way for nonprofits to store important documents, such as financial records or donor information, in a secure and easily accessible location. Additionally, cloud storage can help nonprofits to reduce their administrative costs as they no longer need to purchase and maintain additional storage hardware.
To illustrate how this works in practice, imagine that a nonprofit wants to store its donor information in the cloud. They would be able to create a file on a cloud storage service and easily access it from any computer or mobile device.
Online Petitioning
More accurately called online petition software, these systems enable nonprofits to create their own petitions which can then be shared on social networking websites. Some even allow for people to sign the petition right on the webpage without having to go elsewhere, though this causes some security problems. This is an effective way for nonprofits to gather the signatures of supporters who agree with their mission and want to aid in their cause.
To illustrate how this works, imagine that a particular nonprofit was trying to create awareness about global warming. They could set up an online petition which would allow anyone who agreed with the cause to sign the petition online. This would then provide the organization with the names of all people who agreed that this issue was important and should be addressed.
Mobile Apps
Nonprofits can gain a lot of benefits from creating and marketing mobile apps. Mobile apps allow nonprofits to give their supporters and potential supporters easy access to their information, even when they are on the go. They also provide an excellent platform for collecting donations or selling items on the go. A great example of this came in 2013 when the Red Cross was able to gather more than $2 million in donations for the people of the Philippines from a single mobile phone.
To further illustrate how this works, imagine that a nonprofit wants to create an app dedicated to raising awareness about hunger. They would be able to design an interactive app that allows potential supporters and donors to learn more about hunger and how they can help. The app could provide a way for people to donate money to the organization directly from their phones. This would make it easy for people to donate anywhere at any time.
There are many different types of technology that nonprofits can use in order to communicate with their supporters and donors. These technologies include e-commerce websites, social media sites, cloud storage, and online petitioning software. Each of these technologies has its own unique benefits which can help nonprofits to grow their supporter base, reduce administrative costs, and more.
