executive strategy for integrating tech into your ... · executive strategy for integrating tech...

Executive Strategy for Integrating Tech into Your Nonprofit’s Success Aaron Dowell Supervisor, Client Support [email protected]

© TechSoup | All rights reserved. 2

Are you the accidental techie?


Or the accidental everything?


About TechSoup

Our mission is to build a dynamic bridge that enables design and implementation of

technology solutions for a more equitable planet.


Together, we build a stronger, more resilient nonprofit sector.

$5.8B in technology products

and grants used by NGOs for the greater

good

236 countries and

territories served

100+ corporate and

foundation partners connected with the

causes and communities they

care about

7.5M annual web

visits for content

735,000 NGOs have benefitted

from TechSoup’s resource offerings globally


Technology is shaping the behaviors and expectations of your supporters, beneficiaries and staff

Big data

Analytics

Casual programmer

Digital engagement

Are your digital strategies integral to your program and mission strategies?


No matter what your mission – environment, children’s education, wildlife protection, etc. – we live in a “knowledge

economy” and tech is being used by your funders, constituents, advocates and their peers.


“The great thing is that staff does not need to do anything on their end. If staff does make a mistake, the product seems to quickly catch and quarantine the problem."

~ Gregg Parratto, Information Technology Manager


“We receive grants from community foundations and corporate donors. QuickBooks allows us to show them that the money they give us is going where we say it’s going."

~ Mary Hansen, Council Director


“Program allows you to have Internet on the go..Can connect up to 10 devices..Pair it with Google Nexus tablet. And all you need to check one out is a Queens Library card."

~ Michelle Santiago, Technical Support Aide


Who proactively uses tech to communicate with stakeholders, expand reach and increase impact?


5 Strategies for Integrating Tech into Your Nonprofit’s Success

1.  Technology leadership is not just for techies.

2.  Start with the problem you want to solve, the person you want to help rather than with the technology.

3.  Decide where to invest first – may not be software or hardware.

4.  Mindfully implement tactics for choosing and using technology.

5.  Get inspired.


1. Technology leadership is not just for techies.

v  Internal team researches technology and picks products for their office to test based on a set of criteria

v  Their entire office tests each potential type of tech and votes on their favorite

v  Not about saving money but also about other benefits (e.g., flexibility)


1. Technology leadership is not just for techies.

Ø  Prioritize cloud solutions that are user-friendly and offer free trials with accessible tutorials and clear instructions.

Ø  Select cloud solutions that can be set-up in house, implemented without resorting to outside consultants and include the entire organization.

Ø  Only sign contracts for 30-day periods and emphasize solution that make life easier.


2. Start with the problem you want to solve, the person you want to help rather than with the technology.

v  Didn’t invest in tech for tech sake

v  “UnTech Strategy” - focused first on their mission and outcomes before diving into the world of technology

v  First 20 yrs, no tracking of data

v  Once system in place, adoption & implementation would be difficult. Bob/Founder led by example by using tool to answer questions & more


2. Start with the problem you want to solve, the person you want to help rather than with the technology.

Ø  Use design thinking principles to maintain a laser focus on beneficiary needs.

Ø  Check for blind spots – are you enamored with the technology and losing sight of your beneficiary’s needs?

Ø  Clearly define your goals and then explore how tech can help you achieve them.

Ø  Don’t implement for technology sake. It needs to serve a purpose and add value.

Extreme listening


3. Decide where to invest first – may not be software or hardware.

Ø  Look at data quality/integrity.

Ø  Integrate business into tech decision making.

Ø  Look at business processes, contract management, and security.

Ø  Invest in staff skills.


4. Mindfully implement tactics for choosing and using technology.

v  Library was about to shut down; no city funding; run by volunteers since 1985; very rural

v  Board chair Dianne invested in photo/video editing hardware & software

v  Revitalized library’s role in community v  Shows how using technology to address

specific needs will increase your impact in a clear, focused way

v  “Keep an open mind and stay light on your feet, so you’re not too committed to one kind of technology.”


4. Mindfully implement tactics for choosing and using technology.

Ø  Have a clear vision of your technology needs so you choose both the right hardware and software.

Ø  Start small, don’t be afraid of team turnover, and celebrate wins along the way.

Ø  Use the resources around you to identify, choose and learn to use technology, including your staff, board members, volunteers and donation programs.

Ø  Build in flexibility to allow for changes and acceptance of changes.

Ø  Identify and understand the root of the barrier to tech.


5. Get inspired.

v  No budget to improve existing animal center

v  No dedicated IT staff

v  Worked with tech donations available and now able to do HR functions, fundraising, etc.

v  …more than 6,000 animals saved


5. Get inspired.

Ø  Test, learn, iterate, repeat. You will not get it right at first, but you will eventually.

Ø  Focus on the potential, not the pitfalls, of new ideas and solutions.

Ø  Look for leaders in our field, and outside, to gain inspiration and ideas.

Ø  Start small but have big aspirations: Kiva started with just one programmer who saw an unmet need; TechSoup was launched with $2,500 grant.

•  Inspiration – Importance of Drive as well as Ideas

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Background on TechSoup


We Are Everywhere

Countries Served TechSoup Partner Location NetSquared Local Group


Let’s Connect

www.techsoup.org

facebook.com/techsoupglobal

twitter.com/techsoup


Argentina WINGU Australia Connecting Up Austria Fundraising Verband Austria Belgium SOCIALware Bosnia & Herzegovina Zasto Ne and Mozaik Foundation Brazil ATN Bulgaria Workshop for Civic Initiatives Found. Canada Center for Social Innovation Chile CDI Chile China NPI (Nonprofit Incubator) Colombia MAKAIA Czech Rep. VIA Denmark Frise Egypt Professional Development Foundation France AdB (Ateliers du Bocage) Germany Haus des Stiftens gGmbH Greece Impact Hubs Athens Hong Kong HKCSS Hungary NIOK India NASSCOM Foundation and GuideStar India Indonesia ASEAN Foundation, YCAB, and Kopernik Ireland Enclude Israel NPTech Italy SocialTechno Impresa Sociale Srl Japan Japan NPO Center Kenya KCDF Korea NPO IT Support

Macedonia Metamorphosis Malaysia SOLS 24/7, Tandemic, and Yayasan Salam Mexico CEMEFI Montenegro Center for Democratic Transition Netherlands Stichting GeefGratis New Zealand Connecting Up Norway Frivillighet Norge Philippines CODE, ASSIST, Gawad Kalinga Poland TechSoup, Shipyard, Digital Center, ePF Found. Portugal Entrajuda Romania TechSoup Romania; Ateliere Fara Frontlere Russia Institute of the Information Society Serbia CRTA Singapore National Council of Social Service Slovakia Pontis N.O. Slovenia MISSS South Africa SANGONeT Spain Ilunion Accesibilidat, Estudios y Proyectos Sweden Natl .Forum for Voluntary Social Work Taiwan Frontier Foundation Thailand ChangeFusion; Kenan Institute Asia Turkey Sivil Toplum Geliştirme Merkezi STGM U.K. Technology Trust U.S. TechSoup Vietnam Vietnet-ICT, Lin Centre as of 12/31/15

Our Global Network

Mexico United Kingdom Belgium Germany Australia


Our Corporate Partners

•  Acclivity •  Adobe •  Alpha Software •  Atlas Business Solutions •  Atomic Training •  Autodesk •  Azavea •  BetterWorld •  Bitdefender •  Blackbaud •  Bloomerang •  Box •  Brocade •  Bytes of Learning •  Caspio •  CauseVox •  CDI Computer Dealers •  Cisco •  Citrix •  CitySoft

•  CleverReach •  ClickTime •  Closerware •  Comodo •  Connect2Give •  Dell •  Dharma Merchant

Services •  Digital Wish •  Dolby •  DonorPerfect •  Efficient Elements •  FileMaker •  GoDaddy •  GrantStation •  Guide By Cell •  Headsets.com •  Horizon DataSys •  HR Solutions Partners •  Huddle

•  Idealware •  InFocus •  Informz •  InterConnection •  Intuit •  JourneyEd •  Litmos •  Little Green Light •  Mailshell •  Microsoft •  Mobile Beacon •  NetSuite •  Nielsen •  NonProfitEasy •  O&O Software •  OneNFP •  PayAnywhere •  PC Rebuilders &

Recyclers •  People-OnTheGo

•  PhilanTech •  Pitney Bowes •  Quickbooks Made Easy •  Reading Eggs •  ReadyTalk •  Red Earth Software •  Sage Software •  Shopify •  Simple Charity

Registration •  Skillsoft •  Smart Business Savings •  Society for Nonprofit

Organizations •  Sparrow Mobile •  Symantec •  Tableau •  TechBridge •  Tech Impact •  Teespring •  Telosa •  Tint •  Ultralingua •  Western Digital •  Zoner


•  Aga Khan Foundation

•  Carnegie Corporation of New York*

•  Ford Foundation*

•  Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation*

•  GE Foundation

•  The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation*

•  Humanity United

•  W.K. Kellogg Foundation

•  Kresge Foundation

•  The Lemelson Foundation

•  Levi Strauss Foundation

•  John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation*

•  Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation*

•  Charles S. Mott Foundation

•  Packard Foundation

•  Rockefeller Brothers Fund

•  Rockefeller Foundation*

Our Foundation Grantors

Sample List of Grantors

Foundations marked with an asterisk give grants and are also NGOsource members. NGOsource now has 100+ grantmaker members using the service. Of the 10 largest international grantmakers, eight are NGOsource members.


Our Product Donation Program

• Donated technology, training, and community forum resources for NGOs save costs, magnify impact, and extend reach.

Power up your social impact.

executive strategy for integrating tech into your ... · executive strategy for integrating tech...

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