Nonprofit organizations rely on tech infrastructures just like any other business does, but there are different regulations to adhere to and affordability is shifted owing to the nature of the business. A nonprofit’s IT infrastructure is there to support its people and processes, but what happens when something isn’t quite right? How often do you take time out to thoroughly assess your IT infrastructure? Throughout this article, we cover the essential components of nonprofit IT infrastructure assessments.
Fundraising
Nonprofit organizations collect an enormous amount of data about revenue, donors, events, and so much more. To help keep on top of everything, donor management tools are integrated into the nonprofit IT infrastructure. However, to make sure the tools are performing to the latest industry standards, it’s essential to assess key functions regularly, including:
- Cloud integration. Does your current solution suit your cloud infrastructure?
- Central functions. Are all top functions pulled into one system?
- Future goals. Is your existing tool scalable for future fundraising endeavors?
- Non-negotiables. Are your needs facilitated (volunteer tracking, direct email campaigning, annual event tracking, and more)?
Stepping Into the Cloud
Cloud solutions have been rising to dominance over the last few years, to the point that it’s almost become impossible to operate a business without them. Therefore, if you’re not making the most of the incredible nonprofit cloud solutions out there, you need to begin making the change.
Cloud solutions aren’t the only way cloud technology is making waves. In fact, many nonprofit businesses are transferring their entire IT infrastructures onto the cloud. However, this can be an enormous undertaking and may call for external support. Therefore, you should consult with a third-party business that specializes in Managed IT Services.
Financial Reporting
You need to step back from your nonprofit and check the current financial reporting tools are meeting the needs of your business. Are you able to customize it to add additional data streams? Is your system ready to support the future – think AI and ML? Accurate financial records are essential for nonprofit organizations, but keeping track of everything without efficient systems in place won’t be easy.
Payroll
Labor and service costs are the highest expenses for nonprofit organizations, which is why many of the processes are handled in-house. For example, paying employees or businesses to take care of payroll will cost a large chunk of money, which could be spent on fundraising efforts. Therefore, if your nonprofit isn’t already using intuitive payroll software, then it’s time to start exploring your options.
After converting to utilizing payroll software, you’ll find that tracking costs and hours become much easier, meaning you have more time to focus on more important tasks. After all, who wants to spend hours calculating taxes when a tech tool can do it for you?
Running a nonprofit organization is challenging, which is why an efficient IT infrastructure supporting it is essential. To make sure you’re getting the best out of your system, take time out to align your organization’s needs with your tech tool features.
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