5 Reasons Your Nonprofit Should Adopt a Digital Strategy

Featured image by StockSnap

Over the last decade or so, businesses across all verticals have seen the mass adoption of digitization. The word digitization means to transform a business from one that runs analog to one that relies on computers and an internet based ecosystem to survive, also known as a digital strategy.

Nonprofits have traditionally shied away from venturing online. However, with a drastic decline in the traditional methods of sustenance, it is time to embrace the digital world. Nonprofits need to look at what they can achieve when they turn to the world of the internet.

Digitized donation receipts are becoming increasingly popular, allowing people from across the world to donate easily. Once they break the barrier, they will realize that they can fetch far more contributors to their cause than they previously thought. This is because the goals that nonprofits pursue are considered essential and there are a lot of people who would love to be a part of the crusade.

Why Is a Digital Transformation a Necessity?

First and foremost, outreach. The internet can help connect everyone around the world. For nonprofits this means they can gather donations from every corner of the world. Once they put themselves online, they will find that there are like-minded people everywhere.

Secondly, some nonprofits already seem to have digital infrastructure. However, it is not up the industry standard. This is a common complaint and hence digital transformation seems necessary for nonprofits across the board. In the sections below, we will take a look at some challenges nonprofits face and how adopting a smart digital strategy is necessary.

Reasons Why Nonprofits Should Look at a Digital Strategy

The challenges mentioned above can make life hard for many nonprofits. This is why they should look at adopting a digital strategy to help them transition to life online and operate with increased efficiency.

1. Automation

The largest benefit about going online is the fact that computers can do all the work for you. It might not be every single task, but a majority of tasks can be done by computers. Automation software exists for virtually every vertical and can be utilized extremely effectively. Many software platforms can help automate processes and thereby greatly reduce human error involved. Zapier and Integromat to name a few.

Automation can help you focus on other areas of your nonprofit that may need work. Knowing that there is a passive way to collect data can help you scale your nonprofits to new heights.

2. Enhanced Data Security

Nonprofits that work offline and without robust online software for storing data can often be at the mercy of scammers and hackers. By using security as one of the parameters of your digital strategy you will be able to implement effective walls around your nonprofit. This will help you prevent security breaches that can be costly.

There is also the matter of protecting the integrity of the nonprofit’s data. When donors find out that your nonprofit has invested heavily in enhancing security, they will be inclined to trust you in the long run.

3. Data Insights

By using a digital strategy that puts an emphasis on data collection and analysis, you will be able to get more out of your volunteers and donors. We are currently on the cusp of a data based world and today these data insights can make a big difference. Nonprofits that adopt data analytics can act faster in the case of a disaster, man-made or natural.

They can also help analyze donor trends and help you tailor campaigns to get the best out of your donors. You can also use the gathered data to personalize your communications with donors.

4. Cloud-Based Services

Today the world runs on cloud computing. It requires less energy and less manpower, two aspects a nonprofit should be focusing on, regardless of their size. A nonprofit that has cloud computing as one of the pillars of its digital strategy will stay ahead of the curve. By adopting cloud-based services nonprofits can reduce their reliance on IT staff and instead use the funds to gather manpower for ground tasks.

5. Efficient and Effective Non-Profit Programs

A good reason why a nonprofit should adopt a digital strategy is to see results. By going online and implementing their digital strategy on different levels, nonprofits will start to see an increased rate of productivity. There is also a noticeable increase in collaboration due to digitization. A concrete digital strategy can help establish more effective programs for nonprofits. There is also the matter of efficiency and effectiveness that come with a robust digital strategy.

Final Thoughts

Following a digital strategy can help nonprofits establish themselves on the internet much faster. It can also help them avoid many pitfalls that organizations face when they start digitization. A sound strategy can help them create the impact they are looking for in a much faster time period.