IT Solutions for Nonprofits

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The Time for Digital Transformation Is Now

You routinely face budget challenges. So, it’s not surprising that technology initiatives can assume a lower priority. But, that shouldn’t stop you from researching IT services for nonprofits.

The majority of nonprofits (88%) predict digital services to grow over the next 10 years. Moreover, digital fundraising is expected to increase nearly three-fold during that timeframe. 

For that growth to occur, nonprofits must address technology challenges and focus on digital transformation. As a result, technology has to be viewed as a strategy and not as an internal cost center. It has to become your competitive advantage.

According to NetChange, only 11% of nonprofits view their approach to digital as highly effective. In today’s world, being digital savvy is critical to reaching consumers. Managed IT services for nonprofits are part of the solution. 

5 Challenges Nonprofits Face

Budgets

Your budgets are tight, so technology costs may seem prohibitive. But technology investments can save you money. Technology makes donating to your cause easier. Plus, it improves collaboration. And, it makes things more efficient.

According to a Salesforce study, 85% of nonprofits believe that technology can replace manual tasks that deflect them from delivering services. You can read the full Salesforce report here.

Just as important, technology can prevent the kind of disaster that comes from a data breach. Despite your tight budgets, you can’t overspend when it comes to protecting your precious data. Consequently, that means staying on top of anti-virus updates, monitoring operating systems, updating software, and maintaining your firewalls.

Cybersecurity

Data is your key asset. So, having that data compromised opens up the proverbial pandora’s box. As result, focus on cybersecurity is imperative.

There are three major security threats, you need to address with your business. First, you have to institute strict password security policies. Two-factor authentication is a must.

Second, you need to keep your internal systems current. Outdated operating systems are a haven for hackers.

Third, owing to tight budgets, open source software is a blessing. You have to make sure, though, it doesn’t become a curse. For instance, open source software is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Consequently, you need to establish sound management protocols for its use and staying on top of potential threats.

Staffing

In a study conducted by Salesforce, 93% of nonprofit organizations cited a lack of IT or technical staff as a challenge to adopting new technologies. Yet, 85% said that technology is the key to the success of their organization.

Training presents another issue for your team. Often, staff members lack the experience or training to use tools at work. Interestingly, 71% of respondents said the technology they use at home is more productive than what they use at work.

Cloud Computing

Digital transformation requires taking advantage of cloud computing. Cloud services deliver substantial cost savings, especially to smaller organizations for example. Hardware and software costs can be greatly reduced. Plus, security costs are included with cloud services. Your organization becomes scalable. In addition, data backup becomes a reality.

But, you need to determine which cloud services will deliver the most benefit. And, you have to determine how you migrate your current operations to a cloud platform. Do you have the resources to manage that migration internally or do you have to budget for a services provider?

Mobility & Collaboration

Mobility was becoming an increasing concern for nonprofits prior to COVID. Today, it’s essential. A great many employees are still working remotely, but they need access to data.

Even after COVID concerns diminish, a great many workers will remain remote. Subsequently, you need secure systems that will allow them and your partners to access information 24/7 regardless of location. Cloud services, in particular, empower your team by improving collaboration.

Outsourced IT is Part of the Solution

It may seem counterintuitive to outsource your IT to a managed service provider. But, managed IT services can greatly improve your efficiencies while delivering the support and expertise you need.

With budgets being a concern, co-managed IT services present an affordable option. Rather than outsourcing all of your nonprofit IT services to an MSP, you can select the managed services you need.

If IT security is your major concern, you can purchase only that service. So, you get the specific service you need, when you need it, and at a fixed cost.

You may think that because you’re a nonprofit, you have a lower risk of a cyber-attack. But, that’s not the case. In great measure because most nonprofits aren’t prepared for an attack. According to CohnReznick, more than 70% of nonprofits have not run even one network vulnerability assessment to evaluate their risk.

There are any number of ways you can begin to shore up your cybersecurity:

  • Patch workstations consistently
  • Install anti-virus and anti-malware protection
  • Deploy a next-generation firewall on your network
  • Create a captive portal login system
  • Deploy endpoint security on all devices
  • Execute frequent data backups
  • Conduct cyber awareness training

 

If you aren’t 100% confident you’ll survive a breach attempt, talk with a managed service provider with a range of cybersecurity services. Today.

Adopting a cloud platform will make your life easier. You’ll improve your flexibility by accessing information more readily, for example. In addition, you’ll be able to deliver services in ways that might have seemed impossible to you. Here are just a few advantages:

  • Get enterprise-class security services
  • Scale up or down as needed
  • Reduce administrative tasks
  • Enhance fund raising opportunities
  • Access information anywhere, any time
  • Purchase less equipment

 

Just make sure you talk to a reputable managed IT services provider that will conduct a cloud-readiness assessment for you.

In a Salesforce report, only 23% of nonprofits had a long-term strategic vision for using technology. A vCIO can help map that vision. For any type of SMB, a vCIO presents an affordable way to gain senior management expertise.

You’ll get these benefits from a vCIO:

  • Predictable technology budgets
  • Decreased operating costs
  • IT planning and analysis
  • Improved security and business continuity

 

Digital transformation requires leadership, and someone who can develop an action plan. As a result, a vCIO is a great way to capture that expertise.

When you’re constantly faced with budget concerns, it’s nice to find a little relief. VoIP service can provide that relief. You’ll enjoy greater call quality, scalability, more productivity, and increased mobility.

Plus, you can count the savings:

  • 30% reduction in phone bills
  • 75% reduction in operational costs
  • 40% reduction in local call bills

Equipment costs go out the door because your provider hosts all the infrastructure. Equally important, you can also add or subtract lines through a portal or just by calling your VoIP service provider.

Work with an IT Company with Nonprofit Experience

We’ve delivered IT services for nonprofit organizations throughout Central PA including Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Reading, and Carlisle. For that reason, we understand your challenges. It’s one of the reasons we added co-managed services to our support offering.

We guarantee a fast response. For example, our average response to tickets is eight minutes. Plus, our average time to ticket resolution is just over 2.5 hours.

Don’t let your budget concerns get in the way of digital transformation. We can help make that happen for you. If you’re looking for an IT company near you, specializing in IT support for nonprofits, just give us a call.

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Discover How Technology Can Help Your Noprofit Organization Have a Larger Impact in the Community

We’re experts in using technology to make nonprofit organizations run smoother, increase operational efficiencies and boost productivity. So, you can count on us to discover creative ways to shrink operational expenses in your annual budget. As a result, you’ll stretch donor contributions just a little bit further to make a larger impact in the local community.

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