This document provides an overview of technology essentials for nonprofits. It discusses budget considerations, finding that 83% of nonprofits spend less than 4% of their budget on technology. It also discusses common technology used by nonprofits, such as computers, internet infrastructure, software like Microsoft Office, collaboration systems, databases to track information, and websites. The document provides recommendations and options for setting up effective technology systems on a nonprofit budget.
8. 83% of nonprofits
spend less than 4%
of their budget
on technology.
Source: Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management Study, 2008. Survey of 330 nonprofit organizations.
9. Technology Plan
32% 71%
<=20 staff >20 staff
Source: Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management Study, 2008. Survey of 330 nonprofit organizations.
18. Technology Strategy and Planning Process
Meeting 1: Meeting 2: Meeting 3: Meeting 4:
Envision Prioritize I Prioritize II Act
•Select strategy and •Finalize plan
1. Ensure agreement Classify projects into
on I.T. “Current •Implementation
categories, e.g. sequence
Reality” - “Quick wins” •Detailed review of kickoff
•Identify
2. Identify processes - Strategically resources required
for obtaining additional essential circumstances
information needed - Need more info required for committee
to reconvene
Preliminary Project Identify Detailed
Assessment Prioritization Implementation Implementation
•Identify and categorize Sequence and
•Inventory Planning
•Staff skills assessment projects •Cost details
Resources
•Current and prior year •Research high-level •Assign specific
•Draft implementation
details on alternative
IT operating costs responsibilities
plan
•Initial list of potential •Timetable
solutions •Select resources
•Identify key
projects (internal vs.
•Any additional relevant issues/risks
external, build vs. buy)
•Define RFI/RFP
background materials
(e.g., technology usage processes
policies)
19. Tech Checklist
1. Computer
2. Internet infrastructure (security, backup)
3. Printing and Imaging
4. Training
5. Voice communications infrastructure
6. Basic software (documents, accounting)
7. Collaboration systems
8. Database(s)
9. Website and storytelling
37. 29% <Contract on an as-needed basis
25% In-house MIS staff
22% Tech support w/1 or more providers
13% No formal approach to IT support
9% Volunteers to our agency
2% Friends and family of staff
Source: Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management Study, 2008. Survey of 330 nonprofit organizations.
56. +
Left: HP Mediasmart Home Server EX485, including 750Gb hard drive, $600. Right: NAS Device (Synology Disk
Station 207+, $340) plus 2 hard drives (Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm, 500Gb, $130 x 2).
73. List functional requirements (3 meetings, 1 hour each)
Identify options (up to 4 hours per participant)
Discuss alternatives; narrow list of options (2 meetings)
Get product details
Vendor demos
Calls to real users
User visits
Decision
74. SalesForce provides an online
database solution to nonprofits
with 10 or fewer users free
76. Estimating Costs
Initial price Time to Cost of
implement implementation
Entry level $100 - $2.5k Up to 2 months 5 times initial
price
Small / medium $5k - $40k Up to 6 months 1 times the initial
business price
Small / medium $10k - $250k Up to 18 months 2 times the initial
enterprise price tag
Enterprise $250k - $50 Up to 36 months 1-5 times the
resource million initial price tag
planning
Source: www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/sep2003/johnston.htm, accessed 6/5/2006
77. Budget for maintenance of major
systems software
(database, accounting, CRM) at 20%
of initial purchase price
1 2 3 4 5
88. Used in some capacity by NPO’s
70% 59%
Photo source: Canon.com (PowerShot SD880) and www.Dell.com (MP1409x).
Data Source: Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management Study, 2008. Survey of 330 nonprofit organizations.
Exchange provides a centrally located database to save email, contacts, calendar, task; this info can then be accessed in a variety of ways, with changes reflected on all other devices.