Technology  View RSS Feed Last updated 7/1/2008

Technology allows nonprofits to work with greater social impact, whether it is through increasing their own organizational capacity, enhancing their effectiveness, or reaching new audiences. With electronic fundraising, complex databases and an abundance of information available online, computers and software systems are increasingly important to nonprofits. This topic area contains resources from working with technology, to utilizing technology to benefit your organization.

Advocacy
Advocacy is the act or process of defending or maintaining a cause or proposal. It can be enhanced through the effective use of technology to engage and educate, bridge the digital divide, conduct campaigns and set up virtual communities while maintaining privacy of information.
Communications
Communication is a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of words, symbols, signs or behavior. Technology can support communication to constituents and staff through the Internet. Software can also support the various data collection methods which in turn, aid the communication process.
Customer Relationship Management
Customer Relationship Management is the process of capturing, storing and analyzing customer information to aid in the support of customer related processes and target marketing. Technology can uphold these relations via an electronic database, often used to store customer information such as membership data or event information, and can assist in the interaction with customers through a variety of mediums such as internet, email, and automated phone.
Evaluation
Evaluation is the process of determining the worth, merit and effectiveness of a program or product based on relevant standards typically set by the organization. The use of technology can aid the evaluation process through web based data collection and analysis tools.
Financial Management
Financial Management is the process through which short and long term financial goals are addressed. Technology supports the process through data collection tools for both fundraising and accounting. Analysis of data must be completed by executive staff of the organization.
Legal Considerations
Legal Considerations are the factors governing sound judgment and lawful decision-making. An organization should be considerate or aware of the legal responsibilities and constitutional obligations to be entrusted in them to minimize legal ramifications and lawsuits. There are many policies and privacy issues related to technology. Issues related to internal security of an organization’s data through the use of technology are also considered.
Marketing
Marketing is the process of acquiring and understanding target audiences to maintain a relationship with them. The use of technology can aid in marketing (research) process to determine what consumers want and what they are willing to pay for it through web-based data collection and analysis tools. Technology can also assist in the dissemination of marketing materials to those target audiences with examples including e-marketing, affiliate marketing, desktop advertising and online marketing.
Technology Planning
Technology Planning is a method for setting goals and objectives for the use of technology in the organization and identifying methods of achieving them. The technology plan of an organization supports the overall organizational plan. From working with consultants to planning for disasters, this plan addresses the technology used or to be used in the organization.
Volunteer
Volunteer is an individual who willingly agrees to undertake or render a service without legal concern or interest. Technology can assist in the process of managing volunteers. Organizations may even choose to provide volunteering through the use of technology.