Tech Advice for Nonprofit Leaders
So, you're running a small to medium -sized nonprofit organization. You know that this whizbang internet business could radically transform how you work with volunteers, donors, and the media - but you haven't got the foggiest idea where to begin. You're afraid of spending way too much money on projects that won't make any difference.
Well, Deborah Finn has some advice for you. She's got ten basic things that that every nonprofit executive needs to know about technology.
Here's the bullet points. Dive in to the full article for background, examples, details, and links to resources.
1) Very little technical knowledge is required in order for nonprofit CEOs to participate actively in strategic IT planning.2) Your board of directors should be calling for and participating in your strategic information technology planning.
3) A tremendous number of high-quality resources for strategic IT planning are available to nonprofits at no charge.
4) You can keep an eye on innovations in IT, and think about possible uses for them in the nonprofit sector, even if you don't have a technical background.
5) Information technology, no matter how strategically you apply it, will probably never save your nonprofit organization any money.
6) You need an in-house IT committee.
7) Secretaries and administrative assistants should be the lynchpins of your IT infrastructure.
8) In the long run, IT training and support will make up about 70% of your IT budget. The more obvious line items - such as hardware, software, and network services - will comprise about 30%.
9) Donated hardware, software, and services can cost a nonprofit more than purchased products or services in the long run.
10) In a nonprofit organization, most strategic IT problems are actually organizational development problems.
Seriously, be sure to read the rest of Deborah Finn's excellent Top 10 list.
Kari Chisholm | June 29, 2005 | Comments (5) |
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Comments
Please keep in mind that there are dozens of IT professionals out there that will be more than happy to provide advice, provide non-profit discounts, etc. Non-profits should never feel as if they don't know where to start. If any non-profit out there has any questions pertaining to web hosting, web design, email, spam and virus filtering, etc. please contact me and I'd more than happy to help, free of charge. To contact me, visit my company's website at http://www.bigmountaindesign.com
Posted by: Jon Clayton | Apr 8, 2006 12:19:12 AM
Yes, as long as you're asking an IT professional -- not your brother-in-law who "designs web pages" with Front Page or something.
Posted by: Kari Chisholm | Apr 23, 2006 12:06:40 AM
That's funny because that is always an on-going joke around here. We here that everyday from small businesses who thing they are getting a "deal" because a high school student or "techie" relative is going to create it because they are learning it in school.
Having a site designed by your kid may be fine and dandy for a personal page, but when a business is relying on portraying a professional image and looking to attract new customers, they shouldn't rely on their site being built as part of a homework project for the local high school. Trust the professionals and you'll get your money's worth. This is especially true for non-profits because you are looking for donations and if I came across a very poorly designed site, I would probably skip right past it and move on to another charity or non-profit. Something about a nice site make you seem more credible and trustworthy.
Posted by: Jon Clayton | May 5, 2006 11:15:24 PM
Something about a nice site make you seem more credible and trustworthy.
Appearances matter. There's a reason you put on a suit for a job interview.
Posted by: Kari Chisholm | May 13, 2006 11:10:09 AM
A website is such an itty bitty piece of IT as to be insignificant to this discussion!
Having literally Just left non-profit IT yesterday I think I might have some unique perspective. And I want to speciffically address number 5.
"5) Information technology, no matter how strategically you apply it, will probably never save your nonprofit organization any money."
C'mon, Kari. I'll grant you that your IT department is not going to make money. But to say IT should not be expected to save money!! Preposterous!
IT in the nonprofit world is not just websites. Its helpdesk, its telephones, cellphones, any device that runs on batteries or lights up!
I saved my nonprofit thousands per year by consolidating phone services and eliminating unnecessary redundancies. By negotiating better contracts with cellular providers! Toner cost for fax and print can be reduced. Investment can be made in any part of a business that is going to give ROI. That includes IT.
Posted by: Jay Mobley | Oct 4, 2007 11:02:07 AM
