Technology for nonprofits is an enormous area, so for this edition, CNL Matters provides a broad overview of software issues to consider to manage your nonprofit’s operations. For some of you this is “old news”, but perhaps the tips we have found will give you an opportunity to reflect on how you are using technology. Is it still meeting your needs? Do you need to upgrade your systems?
For newer and smaller nonprofits, consider this an introduction to some of the issues you need to think about. Each of us has our favorite software applications, and we hope you will take a few moments to respond to this issue of the newsletter to let us know what yours are!
Bookkeeping software is the obvious place to begin, chiefly because bookkeeping software automates the process of creating financial reports such as cash flow projections and accounts payable. Do you know how much it costs to run your essential programs? Pay your contractors? If you don’t already have a favorite bookkeeping software, check out the nonprofit versions of QuickBooks. Think about the information you need to track and what reports you need to generate. If QuickBooks seems daunting, Abila, Aplos, Netsuite, Wave and Freshbooks offer customized nonprofit bookkeeping applications. Better yet, start by asking your bookkeeper for advice!
Donor management applications are numerous and can range from free to high cost. A tip from Starting and Building a Nonprofit recommends looking into hosted versions of donor management software, rather than buying your own. For an annual fee based on your needs, you can access “Cloud” based or “hosted” software with your internet browser. Technical support is often available for paid versions and may be worth your while, especially for small nonprofits with few or no tech-savvy people.
Spreadsheet software and databases will clearly be part of your everyday toolkit to keep track of donors, volunteers and communication with your constituents. Spreadsheets like EXCEL are great for doing budgets, estimates and projections but can also be used for sorting people, projects and ideas! See the National Council of Nonprofits for online business and strategic planning tools. Their site at www.councilofnonprofits.org offers software to help you with:
- Scheduling,
- Budgeting, estimating project and program costs,
- Time keeping
- Billing and invoicing
- Filing sharing
Sample applications such as Basecamp, Microsoft Project, Billings and Studiometry help manage the myriad details involved in managing projects and funding sources. Again, check with others, including your funders, about the project management software they prefer using. Check out Starting and Building a Nonprofit: A Practical Guide: 6th Edition, available at www.nolo.com)