Timing is everything. This old adage holds true even when thinking about upgrading technology.\u00a0Maybe you\u2019ve relied on legacy software for years. Maybe you work entirely on paper. Perhaps you\u2019re still dipping a fountain pen into an inkwell (if that\u2019s the case \u2013 cool). Wherever you are, how do you know when it\u2019s time to evaluate new nonprofit technology?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
We\u2019ve put together a list to help you start this process.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
And if you responded \u201cYes\u201d to at least one of the above statements, now is the time to evaluate new nonprofit technology.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The next step in the process is to take a step back and ask yourself, \u201cWhat do I want and need from my nonprofit technology?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n What are your main goals for the next 2-3 years? Make a list of the goals for each department and a list of features & capabilities necessary to meet those goals. When evaluating nonprofit technology, be sure to consider the needs and requirements of your staff, donors, and volunteers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n User experience (UX) is at the forefront of web design, and if you\u2019re not using technology that is intuitive and easy to navigate, then you\u2019re going to add stress and wasted time. Be sure to consider user-friendliness from multiple angles, including your staff, donors, and volunteers (including older volunteers).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Considering a tech service\u2019s scalability is vital to your nonprofit\u2019s growth. If a nonprofit software solution is not designed to grow alongside your organization, you\u2019ll find yourself looking for a new technology partner as your needs outgrow the offerings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Nonprofits must utilize many technology functions. The capability to integrate is a necessity, but it can be clunky and costly. Integrations also come with some caveats, such as additional costs. To lessen the need for integrations<\/a> between nonprofit technologies that don\u2019t speak to each other, consider an all-in-one nonprofit solution such as Giveffect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Some technologies in the nonprofit space are actually technologies used in other industries that are tweaked or retrofitted. When you evaluate nonprofit technology, remember that your technology needs to solve the nuanced needs of nonprofits.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n There are many options for \u201cfree nonprofit technology,\u201d but the truth is nothing is free. While some technology may not require monthly or annual payments, you may pay in other ways. For example, needing to hire a costly consultant to make the tech actually work for you, high data migration costs, slower fundraising growth, time wasted manually completing tasks that could be automated, and lack of confidence in your data or data hygiene. The list could go on.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Does your technology continue to evolve and innovate<\/a>? Does the technology partner take customer feedback and turn that feedback into system updates? It\u2019s important to select a technology partner that understands this.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n No matter the reason, if now is the right time for you to evaluate your nonprofit technology, we\u2019re tossing our hat in the ring.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHere are seven important considerations when evaluating new nonprofit technology:<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Capabilities<\/strong>.<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
User-Friendly. <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Flexibility and Scalability: <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Integration Capabilities. <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Cultural Alignment<\/strong>.<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Cost of Services<\/strong>.<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Innovation.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n