The world of nonprofits has opened up thanks to digitalization and technology. They can go into areas that would have been out of their reach before. There is better communication and collaboration with stakeholders.

The teams enjoy higher efficiency due to the automation of some of the jobs. The organization will save on time and money; thus better management of contributions.

Unfortunately, the nonprofit sector has the dubious distinction of slow adopters of technology. It could be due to the fact that many operate on very tight budgets. They may not have enough resources to invest in some of the latest innovations.

There may also be a need for a change in perception. A paltry 11% of nonprofits feel that the digital approach is effective. The focus for most charities is on the mission, not the bottom line. So, if things are working, why not leave them as they are.

But, technology is changing the game for nonprofits. We will show you how below.

1. Impact of Technology on Nonprofit Digital Marketing

Why is online marketing for nonprofits so effective? There are many answers to this question. The digital space provides access to a broad audience base.

With the right marketing strategies, the organization can increase visibility. It enhances the chances of attracting donors and volunteers to support their causes.

There are tons of platforms including websites and social media. Online marketing is cost-effective and allows for a lot of flexibility.

Martech or marketing technology is critical for digital marketers. The good news is nonprofits have access to Innovations that can make their work so much simpler. These include:

• Artificial intelligence solutions for data-driven decision-making. AI innovations like chatbots help with prompt communication with stakeholders. In the case of donors, machine learning offers insights based on past giving patterns. The fundraising teams can then use that information for better targeting.
• Virtual reality and interactive bots allow donors to understand the real situation. Take the example of the bot Yeshi by Lokai and Charity. You get to understand how challenging it is to find clean water by taking a virtual walk with Yeshi.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for better stakeholder management. Integrating such technologies with, say, mailing lists or donation pages has benefits. It will allow for audience segmentation and better tracking of engagement.
• Content Management systems (CMS) for high-functioning websites.
• Collaborative tools like Slack, Trello, and Zoom for easy engagement with stakeholders.
• Secure cloud storage facilities that help with data storage. Team members also have easy access no matter where they are.
• Analytics tools for better tracking of performance.

With the right martech, the possibilities are endless for nonprofit digital marketers.

2. Impact of Technology on Fundraising

If you have ever worked in a fundraising department you know how difficult it can be. You must identify the right target. After that, it is a process of calling, and writing emails. You then wait for feedback, if you are lucky, they will get back to you in good time.

If they don’t, it is back to sending reminders through emails or calls. The fundraising process can be tedious, time-consuming, and frustrating. But technology is providing welcome relief for fundraisers.

Insights from AI Technologies will show the teams who to target for specific causes. Donation platforms provide convenience for donors. They can make direct contributions, or access account information. All these without needing to talk to anyone. 

Mobile apps further enhance convenience by giving quick access to stakeholders. It helps in communication, and donors can contribute from their smartphones. Analytics help fundraisers and marketers set realistic goals. They also provide insights on what is working or not.

Crowdfunding technology is also opening up more sources for donations. The nonprofit can set up pages on specific websites to ask for contributions. Such include Fundly, Bonfire, DonateKindly, and Classy. The platforms are ideal for specific campaigns like a charity race. They also work for one-off projects.

Social media is also another avenue for fundraising. There is a lot of creativity that nonprofit digital marketers can use. Take the example of the ice bucket challenge. Reports show that the ALS Foundation collected over $100 million in donations. 

3. Greater Transparency in Processes

You may have contributed to a non-profit organization. You make the decision to donate in good faith that your money will make a change. 

You may have wanted to follow up, but getting the information is difficult. Well, people living in the modern world are becoming more demanding of transparency. 

Nonprofits must keep stakeholders in the loop at all times, and that is where technology plays a big role. Take the example of CRM platforms. Teams can engage with donors on a regular basis. 

The charities can also give stakeholders access to online portals. Such allows contributors to track their donations.

Social media, video content, and storytelling are ideal for showcasing work. The technologies provide a fantastic way to build trust and credibility.

Nonprofits must prove their value to grantors to access funding. Such groups need concrete evidence that comes in the form of data. Without the right technology, it would be hard to gather and manage the information.

They will also not be able to measure or show the impact or outcome of their activities. Investing in solutions like CRM, data management and cloud solutions is no longer an option. 

The innovations are critical for the streamlining of functions. They also help with adherence to compliance procedures.

Final Thoughts

It is time for non-profit organizations to shrug off the title of slow adopters of technology. The tons of innovations provide so many benefits to the organization. There is higher efficiency in the processes through automation of some of the tasks.

The teams can concentrate on other core areas of business. They no longer have to deal with mundane, repetitive tasks.

Nonprofit digital marketers use the technologies to improve the outcome of marketing strategies. There is better communication with stakeholders. The teams have the opportunity to reach a broader pool of potential contributors.

Fundraising teams can collect more donations with the right strategies and tools. Donors can make contributions via their smartphones or laptops. They can also access records and track where the money goes.

For the organization, there is greater transparency and accountability. It also increases the chances of attracting more funding for their activities.

Data management and storage are easy with the right technological solutions. Storage facilities are available on secure cloud platforms. Only those with permission get access. Indeed, technology is a game-changer for nonprofits.