Nonprofits must serve both their clients and their donors by providing high-quality services at the lowest possible cost. Striking this balance isn’t always easy, but one way to do it is to seek out the best resources for nonprofits. These solutions are those that work well to serve an intended purpose but are also cost-effective.
In the following sections we explore why choosing the right tools is important for nonprofits, things for nonprofits to consider when choosing apps and other resources, and 15 solutions that nonprofit professionals may want to look at.
Why Choosing the Right Tools Is Important for Nonprofits
When you want to get something done, such as putting together a fundraising event, you may not want to take the time to thoroughly research tools that can help you do it. However, here are some reasons why you should make the time.
The wrong tool can hinder you in the long run. When you choose a solution that ends up being difficult to learn or that doesn’t have the features you need, your staff becomes less efficient, not more. Since you may be operating on a lean budget, you need everyone focused on their roles, not problematic technology.
Not all solutions match your values. Let’s say your organization is a privacy advocacy group, yet you’re using Instagram’s fundraising solutions. Instagram (as well as Facebook) is under the umbrella of Meta, a company that is well known for violating user privacy. While the tools may be highly useful, your use of them may not align with your organization’s mission and values.
Some solutions may not live up to ESG standards. In today’s business environment, all companies must do more than provide good products, services, and customer care. They must also adhere to ethical standards, including environment, social, and governance (ESG) principles. As organizations created to help those in need, nonprofits must be especially careful to meet these standards and do business with companies that do as well.
BairesDev recognizes the importance of ethical behavior, which is why we have launched our social impact campaign.
BairesDev’s Social Impact Campaign
BairesDev’s Giveback Program creates opportunities for talented people to thrive. We believe talent can come from anywhere, and we are committed to making a difference for those who demonstrate it. Twice per year, we curate a list of nonprofit organizations that drive change and help talent grow. We invite our clients to select an organization from the list or introduce us to one they support, and we make a donation to that organization on our client’s behalf. Each Giveback Program edition has a unique focus, such as reskilling ethnic minorities or representing women.
Things for Nonprofits to Consider When Choosing Solutions
So, how do you ensure you choose the right tools, apps, and other solutions?
- Type of clients. Does your nonprofit work with individuals or companies? This consideration is important when choosing your tools. For example, Facebook has tools that can help promote your cause. But that’s not going to do you much good if your potential clients or donors are corporate decision-makers who spend most of their time on LinkedIn. To ensure you cater to the right audience, get to know them very well before making decisions about what tools to use.
- Security. When exploring the features and benefits of a new tool, be sure to do your due diligence around security. For example, while apps like Venmo, Zelle, and CashApp might seem like convenient tools for collecting donations, “you could be vulnerable to evolving risks…from losing your money through fraud or mistakes, to having your private data collected and shared,” according to a recent newsletter from Consumer Reports.
- Ease of use. With all team members, but especially younger employees, the quality of technology is a high priority in the workplace, and nonprofits are no exception. You must ensure that any behind-the-scenes tools you choose are easy to use for the people you want to use them. That rule goes double for any public-facing tools, which must allow clients or donors to seamlessly accomplish tasks such as fill out an application or make a donation.
- Customer support. When you’re excited about how a new tool could improve your organization, you may not think about what will happen when something goes wrong. But even the best apps, services, tools, and resources can have issues with usability or compatibility with your other technology. When something goes sideways, you want a customer care team that’s not only available but also eager to help.
- Cost. As a nonprofit leader, you must use the organization’s resources wisely. That means looking for ways to keep costs down so more of your revenue can go to help those who are the inspiration for your mission. So, for any tool you want to adopt, do your research. Look for lower-cost alternatives, especially when the top-rated tools are particularly pricey, and always ask about nonprofit discounts.
In the following sections, we offer suggestions for the best apps, services, tools, and resources for nonprofits. But remember that every nonprofit has different needs, so, before using any of them, be sure to apply the considerations above to each recommendation.
Marketing and Communications
One of the most important functions of a nonprofit organization is getting the word out about your services. Here are some solutions that can help you do it.
1. Google Analytics
Google Analytics helps you understand where website visitors are and how they found you. This information is critical when determining your next marketing moves. For example, say most of your visitors are being directed to your website from your blog. Then you know your blog is something you should promote even more to reach additional potential clients and donors. Google Analytics is a freemium service, so you can use the free features or upgrade if you need more features.
2. SocialSnap
Getting the word out on social media is important, and you want to make sure users are seeing what you want them to see. SocialSnap allows you to control how visitors share and view your content. It enables you to customize titles, messages, and images on your website or blog when your content is displayed on social media. It also provides customizable social sharing buttons that you can add to your website or blog.
3. RiteTag
To use social media most effectively, you must do more than just craft messages that will get users interested in your cause. You must also pay attention to how each platform works to ensure the right people see your content. This process often includes using the right hashtags, and RiteTag can help you do it more effectively. In addition to helping you pick appropriate hashtags, it allows you to track the performance of the hashtags you choose by showing in a dashboard how many people are using them in real time.
Fundraising Solutions
Nonprofits must continuously solicit donations to further their missions, and the right tools can make it much easier. Here are a few suggestions.
4. Facebook Fundraising Tools
Facebook provides fundraising tools at no cost to nonprofits. The tools enable you to do things like create a fundraiser to help further your cause, add a donate button to your Facebook page or post, connect with supporters in real time, create volunteer opportunities and organize volunteers, create a drive for in-kind donations, and much more. Instagram, also under the Meta umbrella, has a similar set of tools, which you can find here.
Explore fundraising on Facebook
5. Instrumentl
This online database uses an algorithm to match your nonprofit with the right funders to pursue grant opportunities. You can see eligibility criteria, 990 reports, past grantees, and grant amounts. Once you have submitted an application, the site enables you to track and manage them. You can also create custom reports to get a better understanding of which opportunities led to positive outcomes. The tool is perfect for in-house or freelance grant writers.
6. Shopify
Yes, you read right. Shopify has a nonprofit program that enables you to create an online storefront at a discounted rate to sell products. Shopify also offers apps to help you get listed as a charity partner and raise money for your cause or accept donations directly in your shop. The storefront feature includes integrated marketing tools, a built-in payment processor, and help for shipping, whether at your curbside or to a foreign country.
Productivity
7. Boardable
Using a centralized portal, Boardable makes it easy for boards and committees to schedule and hold meetings, even for dispersed teams. With fully integrated video conferencing, there’s no need to use multiple platforms for planning, meeting, and collaborating. With this streamlined approach, you get more time to plan the content of important meetings. And with a wide range of packages, you can scale the service based on the changing needs of your organization.
8. Eventbrite
Given the importance of in-person events, especially post-pandemic, it’s crucial to get fundraising events right. Eventbrite is a long-standing service that enables you to create ticketing and registration pages for all your gatherings. You can direct event goers to the site and, when you post your event, also get traffic from the site itself. Social media ad tools help you extend your reach even further. Following the event, you can use additional features to stay connected to attendees and keep them engaged, as well as use reports to learn where sales are coming from.
9. Gusto
This payroll and HR platform is an affordable option for small organizations. It includes a full-service payroll feature that works with just a few clicks and takes care of things like taxes and compliance. It tracks time and attendance and automatically syncs hours, PTO, and holidays with payroll. It also includes HR tools like benefit tracking, hiring and onboarding, and talent management. All these functions save time and help you make important staffing decisions.
Conclusion
The resources listed here are just a few of the many available to help your nonprofit achieve its mission. Here are a few more:
10. The Storytelling Nonprofit – courses to help you tell better stories to increase fundraising effectiveness
11. GuideStar – an online database that provides potential donors with information about your nonprofit
12. The NonProfit Times – a publication filled with best practices for how to manage your organization
13. TechSoup – an online community that provides nonprofits with the technology they need
14. Good360 – an organization that provides nonprofits with donated goods
15. Yearly – a service that makes it easy to create an online annual report
Remember, no service is a one-size-fits-all, so be sure to carefully research each solution before committing.
