The Washington Nonprofit Technology Needs Survey was distributed to 2,567 nonprofit organizations in the State of Washington. The survey was open to individuals in a wide array of positions at a wide array of nonprofits across the state. The nonprofits represented were diverse in industry-focus, size, and location in the state of Washington. The survey had a response rate of approximately 15%, which is considered an adequate sample, and a total of 392 respondents. Of these respondents, 91% were reached through 501 Commons’ contact list. The other 9% were reached through a separate survey, which was distributed to nonprofits not associated with 501 Commons. The following were the objectives of the survey: Gain an understanding of Washington nonprofit technology use trends. Identify key opportunities given technology needs identified by Washington nonprofits. Understand how Washington nonprofit technology planning operates as a subset of their strategic planning. Provide feedback to 501 Commons on their performance in the marketplace.

1. A T E C H N O L O G Y - B A S E D U N D E R S T A N D I N G O F
T H E N O N P R O F I T M A R K E T I N W A S H I N G T O N
S T A T E .
Market Analysis: Washington State
Nonprofit Technology Needs
Survey

2. Survey Methodology
The Washington Nonprofit Technology Needs Survey was distributed to
2,567 nonprofit organizations in the State of Washington. The
survey was open to individuals in a wide array of positions at a wide array of
nonprofits across the state. The nonprofits represented were diverse in
industry-focus, size, and location in the state of Washington.
The survey had a response rate of approximately 15%, which is
considered an adequate sample, and a total of 392 respondents. Of these
respondents, 91% were reached through 501 Commons’ contact list. The
other 9% were reached through a separate survey, which was distributed to
nonprofits not associated with 501 Commons.
The following were the objectives of the survey:
 Gain an understanding of Washington nonprofit technology use trends
 Identify key opportunities given technology needs identified by Washington nonprofits
 Understand how Washington nonprofit technology planning operates as a subset of their
strategic planning
 Provide feedback to 501 Commons on their performance in the marketplace
2

3. Survey Results

4. Need for Solutions to Software/Hardware Failure
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
What are the major technology challenges you and your colleagues encounter on a day to day basis?
PercentageofRespondents
4

5. Need for Solutions to Software/Hardware Failure
0 20 40 60 80
No
Yes 59%
41%
0 20 40 60 80
No
Yes 62%
38%
My organization has plans in place to
address emergencies and disasters
A significant portion of nonprofits do not have plans in place to address equipment
failure (41%) or emergencies/disasters (38%).
My organization has plans in place to
address equipment failure
Percentage of Question Respondents Percentage of Question Respondents
5

6. Need for Technology Strategy
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
IT Infrastructure
Consulting
Technology Strategy
Services
Databases for
Tracking and
Reporting
Data Management Website Analytics Other
Is there a technology software, service, or process you wish you had access to?
PercentageofRespondents
6

7. Need for Technology Strategy
0
50
100
150
200
250
Expertise in
technological
implementation
Funds Knowledge of
technology available
Knowledge of what
technology best
satisfies your
organizations need
Strategy for
successful
implementation
Other
6
5
4
3
2
1
Please rank the biggest hurdles facing technology implementation for your organization.
PercentageofRespondents
7

8. No
Yes45% 55%
Do you feel that your organization effectively allocates budget dollars to technology improvements or upgrades?
Furthermore, nonprofits do not feel they are budgeting for technology
improvements appropriately.
Need for Technology Strategy
8

9. Need for Database Tracking, Reporting, and
Management
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
IT Infrastructure
Consulting
Technology
Strategy Services
Databases for
Tracking and
Reporting
Data Management Website Analytics Other
Is there a technology software, service, or process you wish you had access to?
PercentageofRespondents
9

10. 0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
Database
Maintenance
and Support
Website
Maintenance
and Support
IT Help Desk Live
Technology
Training
Membership
and Contact
Management
Online
Technology
Training
Email
Marketing
and
Newsletter
Creation
Ongoing
training and
consultation
End User
Registration
Management
Other
Is there a technology software, service, or process you wish you had access to?
Need for Database Tracking, Reporting, and
Management
PercentageofRespondents
10

11. 0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
20%
Is there a technology software, service, or process you wish you had access to?
Need for Database Tracking, Reporting, and
Management
PercentageofRespondents
11

12. Databases Used for Tracking/Reporting
Nonprofits do not have the technology, the know-
how, or the time/money to effectively track their data
Source: NTEN, The State of Nonprofit Data, Idealware, © Nov. 2012,
Need for Database Tracking, Reporting, and
Management
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Other Salesforce Access Blackbaud
Raiser's
Edge
Hosted
CRM
(Donor
Perfect,
Donor Pro,
etc.)
CiviCRM I don't know
NumberofRespondents
12

13. Need for Website Maintenance and Support
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
Database
Maintenance
and Support
Website
Maintenance
and Support
IT Help Desk Live
Technology
Training
Membership
and Contact
Management
Online
Technology
Training
Email
Marketing
and
Newsletter
Creation
Ongoing
training and
consultation
End User
Registration
Management
Other
Is there a technology software, service, or process you wish you had access to?
PercentageofRespondents
13

14. 0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Need for Website Maintenance and Support
Website Platforms Used by Nonprofits
PercentageofRespondents
14

15. Appendix

16. Social Media Platform
Other includes Instagram,
Flickr, email services
(example: EmailNOW),
Google shared email, or
none (2x)
Social Media Platform
# of
Respondents
16

17. Databases Used for Tracking/Reporting
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Other Salesforce Access Blackbaud
Raiser's Edge
Hosted CRM
(Donor Perfect,
Donor Pro, etc.)
CiviCRM I don't know
Database
# of
Respondents
17

18. Nonprofit Data Tracking
18

19. Other database technologies include
Common Responses from Survey Respondents:
 Cloud software (finance, HR) and increased remote access – 21 respondents
 New or updated website - 17 respondents
 Mobile devices, mobile –optimized website, mobile donation capability - 13 respondents
 CRM – 11 respondents
 Full customizable Salesforce to track client vists, volunteer hours, and cash/in-kind
donations - 11 respondents
 Sharepoint - 10 respondents
 Program to track grant funding, expenditures, and budget remaining (for invoicing and
reporting) - 6 respondents
 Office 365 - 6 respondents
 Disaster / offsite backup - 5 respondents
 Electronic Health Records - 4 respondents
 Online Collaboration Tools – 3 respondents
 Time tracking system
19

20. Collaboration or File Sharing System Used
Collaboration or File Sharing System
# of
Respondents
20

21. Use of Online or cloud based systems
Online or Cloud-based System
# of
Respondents
21

22. What is your organization’s annual budget for
technology products and services?
$1,000- $2,000
$10,001- $20,000
$100,001- $150,000
$150,001- $250,000
$2,001-$5,000
$20,001- $50,000
$5,001- $10,000
$50,001- $75,000
$75,001- $100,000
<$1,000
I don't know
Over $250,000
22

23. My organization has plans in place to address
equipment failure
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
No
Yes 59%
41%
23

24. My organization has plans in place to address
emergencies or disasters.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
No
Yes 62%
38%
24

25. How often does your organization allocate budget
dollars to technology improvements or upgrades?
Once a year
Once every 2 years
Once every 5 years
Once every 6 months
There is no budget allocation for
technology improvements
25

26. Do you feel that your organization effectively allocates budget
dollars to technology improvements or upgrades?
No
Yes
45%
55%
26

27. If yes, what are some examples of this effective
allocation?
Sample Responses from Survey Respondents:
 “We gradually bring onboard on big software packages like CRM and SharePoint
in limited ways and then expand them as staff gets to know them.”
 “We try to balance our tech improvement needs with available funding (both
general fund and grants)”
 “Allocation for Office 365 implementation; allocations for upgrading finance and
HR software; training”
 “We are doing the best we can with the limited funds we have”
 “All computers are no more than three years old and all are on the same current
platforms. Laptops and tablets used by staff off site are leased so as to ensure /
maintain efficiency of use and are returned at end of lease for upgrade. This
process has helped us change the tempting culture of small non-profits collecting
outdated inefficient equipment.”
 “IT (including equipment, staff, consulting and fees) is included in the annual
budgeting process”
 “We receive new computers on a reasonable basis, upgrade necessary software,
and are willing to pay if it’s truly a necessary product”
27

28. If no, what are some examples of this ineffective
allocation?
 “I feel that we tend to be reactive versus proactive. We are
doing better about allocating funds, but we still have a long
way to go”
 Salesforce (again), since the actual product is not meeting our needs”
 “We try to hold on to hardware/software too long and sometimes this
complicates the replacement/upgrade plan”
 “No real technology planning”
 “Limited funding”, “Not so much ineffective as simply not enough funding”
 “Training (not all training is good)”, “Sometimes takes more time to do a
task if the person is not trained”
 “We don’t have a plan for continued renewal of equipment and
software, so it gets used until everything dies at once, and then
there are even more significant costs to make the necessary
replacements”
 “We tend to be reactionary to technology needs more than
deliberately planning”
28

29. What could help your organization improve this
process?
 “More resources. We are a small non-profit and are trying to incorporate as
much functionality into our web site for programming and other needs as
we can… lack of time to learn new aspects of the web (and other technology
like SalesForce), also a big issue”
 “Better knowledge of technology”
 “Free assistance, free products, free advice”
 “Longer term planning for IT”
 “The learning curve of technology service organizations is just ahead of
ours and planning and implementation advice has not been the quality I
would like”
 “Pro bono IT consulting”
 “Creating a budget forecast and renewing it regularly”
 “First of all a clearing house of information that lists all current technology
applicable to a specific use, as well as some anecdotal information about its
applicability from those who have implemented it”
 “Multi-year strategic plan; analysis of needs”
 “Funds, knowledge of the best technology available to suit our needs”
29

30. 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
No
Yes
Technology plays an important role in my
organization's business
# of Respondents
30

31. My organization should utilize technology
more often
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
No
Yes
# of Respondents
31

32. Technology plays a growing role in my
organization’s effectiveness
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
No
Yes
# of Respondents
32

33. What are some major technology challenges you
and your colleagues encounter day-to-day?
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
33

34. What are some major technology challenges you
and your colleagues encounter day-to-day?
“Other” Responses from Survey Respondents:
 “Capturing data without duplication of effort”
 “Managing hardware and implementing system policy. We have no mobile device
management service or directory server to set access policies on devices.”
 “Piecemeal systems... added on here or there out of necessity at the time but
without a plan for scalability and long-term maintenance.”
 “Network: connectivity, speed.”
 “Ability to afford an IT person to call to help with computer issues; use volunteer
right now.”
 “Old hardware - SLOW!”
 “Lack of efficient document management/filing system.”
34

35. Is there a technology software, service, or
process you wish you had access to?
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
20%
% of
Respondents
35

36. Software-Specific Challenges
“Other” Responses from Survey Respondents:
 Integration across platforms
 Enterprise-wide, cross-program & cross-platform data warehouse with web-
based access and analysis portal
 Program-specific database (Salesforce may not be the best option)
 Hours tracking for service/tutoring
 CRM – integrating with other softwares and systems
 Online scheduling synched with our database and a database for client data
(shelter program)
 Client Tracking Database; Volunteer management
 Medical records/case management database
 Space rental/management software
36

37. Is there a technology software, service, or
process you wish you had access to?
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
IT
Infrastructure
Consulting
Technology
Strategy
Services
Databases for
Tracking and
Reporting
Data
Management
Website
Analytics
Other
% of
Respondents
37

38. Process/Operations-Specific Challenges
“Other” Responses from Survey Respondents:
 Affordable, reliable customization and service
 Currently we have a task force working on a proposal for a new comprehensive
ordering system
 Looking ahead to accommodate consituents’ needs
 Systems Integration Analysis
 Integrating organization values with IT and process – e.g. being able to hire and
contract with IT women and people of color
 Systems Integration Analysis
38

39. Is there a technology software, service, or
process you wish you had access to?
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
% of
Respondents
39

40. Services-Specific Challenges
“Other” Responses from Survey Respondents:
 Cost-effective programming
 Planning to roll out and maximize benefits of SharePoint
 Information management and best practices in storage
 Commonly used language in our sector that would facilitate organization-wide
practical, effective, long-term integration of strategic, management and IT
planning
 General IT support
 CRM
40

41. Please rank the biggest hurdles facing technology
implementation for your organization
0
50
100
150
200
250
Expertise in
technological
implementation
Funds Knowledge of
technology available
Knowledge of what
technology best
satisfies your
organizations need
Strategy for
successful
implementation
Other
6
5
4
3
2
1
41

42. Biggest Hurdles Facing Technology
Implementation for Organization
“Other” Responses from Survey Respondents:
 Migration to cloud, software maintenance in the meantime
 Solutions appropriate for small scale organizations with limited people resources. (e.g.
Salesforce could meet some of needs for data tracking, etc. But we are way too small to
manage it.)
 We are a very small organization, with only 4 part-time employees, and we just don't
have the time or expertise to provide services to our consumers AND deal with
technology issues/needs beyond a very basic day-to-day level.
 General IT support. (i.e. in other organizations, they have an IT department; we can't
afford it yet, so we rely on volunteers.)
 Implementation of electronic medical records and ongoing support and use of the new
system
 Training for more than one person to be able to update the website or use the
membership and contributions databases; also interface with fundraising letters,
mailings, etc.
 We just don't have extra time to explore technologies and get them up and running!
 A culture in the nonprofit sector of IT being mysterious, expensive, dependence-
oriented, and in need of a particular, stereotypical kind of person to address:
dependent, creative, well-overseen, masterful IT innovators in service of their missions
and issues.
42

43. Within the past three years, have you and your colleagues experienced
challenges brought about by new government legislation?
Challenges with Government
Legislation?
Yes
No
74%
26%
43

44. Challenges with Government Legislation
“Other” Responses from Survey Respondents:
 Electronic Requirements for length of stay for homeless families in emergency shelter
[are] impacting current and future funding for our services.
 “It took forever to gain our 501c3 status due to all the IRS troubles.”
 “Grant funding availability has decreased.”
 “Tax rules change quarterly, which are handled fine by existing payroll software but
will they be when we upgrade? We get audited something like 13 times a year now.”
 “Net Neutrality, Broadband Access (Low income Community we support, Multilingual
community, Seniors computer access / literacy)”
 “Additional auditing requirements, more extensive reporting requirements for public
and private dollars.”
44

45. Is there one area of technology that consistently challenges you and your
colleagues or makes aspects of work more difficult?
Common Responses from Survey Respondents:
 Database related issues and the ability to capture, record, and visualize data - 11
 Staffing, support, and technological expertise – 8
 Old equipment is incompatible with new software - 8
 Network reliability and speed; wireless access – 8
 Website Maintenance and Upgrades - 7
 Training - 5
 Knowledge of what is technologically available and its benefits – 4
 Email issues: Being able to check email remotely, mass mailings, from your workstation,
phone, iPad, or remotely from another computer in another part of the world. S…nching
issues, emails lost, or emails deleted inadvertently, or 200 old emails being re-
downloaded - 4
 Managing Social Media platforms – 3
 Problems with or lack of accounting software/financial management - 3
 Collaborative/Shared Documents - 2
 Volunteer management systems - 2
45

46. What technology related issues or problems do you foresee for your
organization in the future? (free response)
“Other” Responses from Survey Respondents:
 We realize that our technology is not keeping up with the general community. Being in a deficit mode will hinder our growth
and sustainability. (people, process, tech)
 Replacement of existing/aging computer and other technology equipment via a deliberate and planned schedule. (tech and
process)
 Backup issues, but Google Drive mitigates that so long as employees remember to use it (it is even HIPPA compliant). A system
like Carbonite would be nice to ensure each machine is backup totally, but is cost prohibitive. (technology)
 Because we work partially in a third-wold country, the move toward having everything on the cloud is a problem for us.
Internet access is difficult, and el… causes climate change. We wish we could still get simple CD's of all necessary software, data,
etc. (technology)
 No one really leading technology (ppl)
 Too many systems that don't talk to each other (tech and process)
 Managing a growing database/website with a small staff (people)
 Collaborative and organizational tools. GoogleDocs is great for sharing a document but limiting in terms of formatting (kind of
clunky). We have multiple…ols that give us ways to effectively collaborate (editing documents, virtual meetings, etc) are key.
 We are there now. All systems are old. Nothing works together. We collect customer data through ticket purchases at Brown
Paper Tickets that is difficult t…ial transactions. When we are on-site, we use Square, which is also not capturing our customer
data.
 Lack of in-house expertise means we have to pay a lot for help. Lack of analysis of our tech capabilities and potentials is a
problem
 We contract with a vendor to deliver IT services, but it's expensive. We may look to lower costs.
 Lack of strategic planning and budgeting - we tend to make tech decisions in a reactive and not planful way, and there are
never enough funds!
 Internet speed (limited to a specific ISP because of renting a City facility), running several different operating systems,
transitioning from server to cloud, Dataflow database (volunteer and programming cloud database) ending support
 Online document storage and sharing. We need to standardize our processes and be consistent about what is where.
 We struggle with knowing what's available and what best practices are for peer organizations
 Our enrollment/attendance data is already not up to date because we collect data on paper and post it into database at end of
quarter. This prevents us fro…dia presence - this is not just a technology issue but also a resource, training and protocol issue.
 We need a way to manage our growing and complicated contacts list. It must be smoothly and fully integrated with Outlook.
46

47. Which technologies does your organization plan
or wish to adopt in the next 1-2 years?
Common Responses from Survey Respondents:
 Cloud software (finance, HR) and increased remote access – 21
 New or updated website - 17
 Mobile devices, mobile –optimized website, mobile donation capability - 13
 CRM – 11
 Full customizable Salesforce to track client vists, volunteer hours, and cash/in-kind
donations - 11
 Sharepoint - 10
 Program to track grant funding, expenditures, and budget remaining (for invoicing and
reporting) - 6
 Office 365 - 6
 Disaster / offsite backup - 5
 Electronic Health Records - 4
 Online Collaboration Tools – 3
 Time tracking system
47