Posted
Feb 02, 2015 03:10 PM
According to a survey produced by 501 Commons and Deloitte Consulting, many nonprofits lack the funding, expertise, and access to basic technology infrastructure and technology tools that would increase staff productivity, reduce crises, and expand their reach.
Nonprofits understand how using the right technology can help them carry out their missions. But according to a survey produced by 501 Commons, many organizations lack the funding, expertise, and access to basic technology infrastructure and technology tools that would increase staff productivity, reduce crises, and expand their reach.
Last year 501 Commons partnered with volunteer consultants from Deloitte Consulting to survey nearly 400 local nonprofits about their technology usage so that we could get a better idea of their needs. The results demonstrate there still is a significant gap between how nonprofits want to use technology and what they currently have in place.
Here are some highlights from the survey:
- 85 percent of organizations say they should be using technology solutions more than they do. 55 percent feel their organization does not effectively allocate budget dollars toward technology improvements or upgrades.
- Alarmingly, a significant portion of nonprofits do not have plans in place to address equipment failure (41 percent) or emergencies/disasters (38 percent). Lack of time/resources for planning is cited as the most common barrier.
- The top three technology challenges cited by respondents were: access to necessary technology, outdated software and technology/software/hardware failure.
- The service and process most wished for were IT infrastructure consulting and database management and support.
It is not a surprise that lack of funding is a barrier for 50 percent of respondents. In 2015, 501 Commons and the Satterberg Foundation will increase access to tech consulting services through service grants for organizations with budgets below $500,000.
Other than funding, the biggest impediment to improving technology is confusion and uncertainty about which technology investments will most benefit their organization. That is where 501 Commons can help! Make 501 Commons your first stop when planning for technology improvements:
Other than funding, the biggest impediment to improving technology is confusion and uncertainty about which technology investments will most benefit their organization. That is where 501 Commons can help! Make 501 Commons your first stop when planning for technology improvements:
- Ask us for help in figuring out your next step to a more stable infrastructure, a high impact website, or development of a new database or planning for emergencies.
- Attend 501 Talks Tech sessions (they are FREE!) and our periodic Salesforce trainings.