A Future-Forward Mindset Can Help Nonprofits Thrive in Difficult Times

Nonprofits have always been at the forefront of social change and community development. However, as the world becomes more complex and interconnected, nonprofits must keep up by becoming more forward-thinking and futuristic in their operations.

Leveraging automation, integrating accounting, donor, and other information systems, and using dashboards can provide your board members with a better understanding of community impact and organizational key performance indicators (KPIs) — which can help them make better financial decisions for your organization.

Address labor market challenges

Nonprofits often rely on volunteers and part-time workers to carry out their missions, but with a very competitive labor market, it can be difficult to attract and retain qualified staff. By automating certain tasks and integrating information systems, your organization can streamline operations and free up resources that can help attract and retain talent, overcome workforce development challenges, and achieve goals more efficiently and effectively.

Use technology to attract philanthropists

Another reason why nonprofits need to be forward-thinking is due to ongoing generational wealth transfer. As baby boomers retire and transfer their wealth to younger generations, there is a growing interest in impact investing and philanthropy.

Nonprofits that can demonstrate their impact and use technology to engage donors and volunteers can be more successful in attracting funding and support. By using dashboards to track KPIs and communicate impact, your organization can build trust and credibility with donors and stakeholders.

Navigate governmental polarization

As political divides deepen, it can be difficult for nonprofits to secure funding for programs and initiatives. In times when government funding is dwindling, leveraging technology can help your organization demonstrate its value and impact to policymakers and funders. It can also help your organization pivot quickly as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle work on legislative and regulatory issues affecting nonprofits.

Streamline operations for greater efficiency and impact

Many nonprofits use disparate systems that are not designed to work together. However, by investing in a unified system that integrates all of your data, your organization can gain a comprehensive view of its operations and make informed decisions. This can also help identify areas for improvement, streamline processes, and achieve goals more efficiently.

Once your organization has integrated its information systems, you can begin to leverage automation to further streamline operations. This can include automating routine tasks such as data entry and report generation, freeing up staff time for more strategic work. Automation can also help your organization improve accuracy and reduce errors.

Dashboards like the ones below can provide real-time data on fundraising, revenue and expenses, and community impact — helping your board make informed decisions about resource allocation and strategy. They can also help build trust and credibility by communicating your organization’s impact to donors and stakeholders.

Executive summary view

 

Detailed financial view

 

How we can help

By leveraging automation, integrating information systems, and using dashboards to track KPIs and communicate impact, nonprofits can streamline operations, attract and retain talent, and secure funding. CLA has been helping nonprofit organizations think futuristically while creating operational efficiencies and improving board and programmatic effectiveness.

If your nonprofit organization is exploring operational efficiencies, automation, integration, digital solutions, or data mining, our nonprofit professionals can help you develop a future-forward mindset that can enable your organization to successfully achieve its mission.