Using technology to connect with your donors seems obvious – but how do you do it and where do you start? Technology is constantly evolving and marketing to nonprofit leaders is always focused on the next big product or trend. So how do you ensure your organization is leveraging all technology has to offer?

Technology can help nonprofits streamline various aspects of their operations, from integrated donor management software to digital marketing and communications platforms, and simplified payment processes. Utilizing integrated platforms and tools across websites, social media, and email marketing can help nonprofits understand their donors better and communicate with them more effectively. However, the selection of what platform(s) to use requires a skilled professional with technological and marketing expertise to make an informed decision that maximizes efficacy and efficiency—a particular skill set that not all nonprofit leaders possess. When choosing an expert to inform your nonprofit’s strategic approach to utilizing technology, look for someone who constantly refines their skills and demonstrates their ability to stay informed on technological advances in software, coding, and web development. With so many innovations happening daily, skilled cybersecurity experts and web developers make it a practice to stay informed of updates and trends in their digital space…

The Impact of Technology on Donor Giving

Giving back is nothing revolutionary, but technology’s impact on the nonprofit sector continues to revolutionize how we give and, in turn, how nonprofits operate. Technological innovations continue transforming the philanthropic sector while making digital fundraising and marketing more accessible for nonprofits to manage and execute.

Expanding your reach with tech.

Just over thirty years ago, the World Wide Web became publicly accessible. Since its inception, the internet has changed how we socialize, do business, and live. The internet has provided nonprofits a platform to reach and embrace their communities. Organizations have learned to leverage websites, e-newsletters, and blogs to tell their stories, share their missions, and significantly drive impact.

Enter the rise of social media shortly after, shaping how non-profits communicate with their various audiences. Beneficiaries and funders alike can not only access a wealth of information about the organizations and causes closest to them but can also directly interact with them. Social media can be an invaluable resource for nonprofits. Free platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and even TikTok enable organizations to engage supporters, increase brand awareness, and promote fundraising without negatively impacting their bottom lines. In fact, according to an article by Constant Contact, 55% of individuals who engage with nonprofits on social media take action and 59% of those users donate money. Talk about a return on your investment!

What’s more, technology is limitless. It knows no bounds, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that during the pandemic, social media fundraising was the most popular vehicle for non-profits to keep reaching their goals and staving off financial hardship at a time when in-person operations were severely stunted.

Creating a seamless giving experience.

Technology has also impacted the donor experience. Every interaction between a nonprofit and a prospective donor has been touched by technology: digital marketing to reach and engage donors, online giving platforms and applications, donor databases and CRMs, digital receipts, and the ability for donors to share their support for an organization with their networks. Many technological resources are available at various price points, from free software to expensive custom-built solutions to meet any number of your nonprofit’s needs.

When integrating technology into your giving platforms, one of the most important considerations is the user experience. Donors are more likely to give to your organization (again and again) if the process is simple and seamless. Seek to create an integrated fundraising campaign to secure donations through on-demand, one-touch payment options like Apple Pay or Google Pay to make giving as easy as possible for your donors. Crafting a seamless fundraising campaign with fewer steps for your donors can lead to more donations, and ultimately, larger community impact. But how do you get the word out?

Managing and increasing your donor base.

Donors are essential to ensuring a nonprofit can meet its constituents’ needs, provide resources and services to the wider community, and grow its network to enhance its brand. Let your donors know how important they are to your work by getting to know them. Donor management software can be used to automate data entry, manage donations, track communications and outreach, and most importantly, help you learn more about your donors. A donor management system that can be easily integrated with your website, email, and social media accounts can help your nonprofit understand your donors better by highlighting what information they interact with most from webpages they visit to emails they open. In turn, these insights can help you segment your donors and solicit donations that appeal to their interests. The use of digital software and accurate database maintenance enable nonprofits to create custom communications to cultivate and strengthen relationships with their donors. Holistically analyzing a donor’s activities—from donations to online interactions—can help your development team profile existing supporters and communicate with them meaningfully.

Technology lends a helping hand.

Modernizing your nonprofit will not only help your organization continue to grow its donor base but can even help reduce costs and administrative burdens. Nonprofit leaders should regularly analyze their needs, the systems being used to meet those needs, and the technology available to streamline existing processes. Technology is now at a point where many platforms can be integrated into a seamless source to manage key aspects of nonprofit operations from donor management, to service delivery and client case management, to office administration and more.

Cybersecurity impacts the nonprofit sector.

Cybersecurity is a critical requirement to maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of donor and client data. An expert who understands these dual needs can help a nonprofit become more productive and secure. This means ensuring that servers, websites, social media accounts, and any other digital platform are secure, and that policies and practices are put into place to protect the organization’s digital assets. Digital experts understand the underlying need to maintain the security of all digital assets and can help set up an organization for success by having such safeguards in place.

Utilizing technology to streamline your organization’s operations is a worthwhile investment. If you lack the expertise, consider hiring an expert to audit your existing processes and identify solutions for you, including integrated donor management software, digital marketing and communications platforms, and simplified payment processes, to name a few. When choosing an expert to inform your nonprofit’s approach to utilizing technology, look for someone who constantly refines their skills and demonstrates their ability to stay abreast of technological advances in software, coding, and web development. Hiring a qualified expert with these qualities will help take the guesswork out of making sure your nonprofit benefits from all technology has to offer!