Nonprofit Technology Automation: The Why, What, and How to Improve Productivity

Are robots coming for your job? Hopefully not, because most of the folks we know who work at nonprofit organizations are smart, thoughtful, non-robotic people who shouldn’t be replaced by machines. But at any nonprofit, there’s always more work to be done than there is time to do it, right?

This is why your nonprofit’s technology strategy should include automation. One great way to make better use of your tech tools is to automate the day-to-day menial tasks that take up time but don’t really require thought or decision-making. With a little upfront investment, you can help your team stay focused on the mission, the real important – human! – work at hand.

When considering automation for your nonprofit, it’s important to ask the right questions. Do you fully understand the why, what, and how of what you’re trying to accomplish? Are your processes truly ready for automation, or are there aspects that need refinement? And are you considering the reality of your team’s skills and capacity? Let’s take a deeper look at why automation is so vital for nonprofits, and how to implement it in a thoughtful, impactful way.

Why You Should Automate – (It’s Not Just About Saving Time!)

Many nonprofits still rely on manual, repetitive processes to handle their day-to-day operations such as importing and exporting between systems or using spreadsheets to segment lists for donor engagement campaigns (major donors, lapsed donors, event attendees). These manual processes create an increased risk for inaccurate data (duplicates anyone?) and don’t require thinking or decision-making which are both great reasons to automate.

Another reason to automate is to replace risk of human error with increased human insights. By automating mundane tasks you give your team the opportunity to discover donor trends, identify high-value opportunities, and deepen relationships as a result. They save valuable time and get to focus on more meaningful mission-related efforts.

What Should Be Considered for Automation Success?

1) What Needs A Human Touch?

Automation in nonprofits should enhance operations, but not every repetitive task should be automated. For instance, automating a donor acknowledgment workflow streamlines communication and saves time. However, processes that require nuanced judgement, such as reviewing major donations or personalized outreach, should retain a human touch to maintain accuracy and build trust.

2) Are Your Tools and Technology Capable of Automations Needed?

Before diving into automation, evaluate your current systems. Are they equipped for automation? If your systems don’t support the automations needed, explore options like donor management software, workflow automation tools, or consulting services to bridge the gap. Implementing the right tools now helps future-proof your operations and position your nonprofit for long-term success.

3) Does Your Level of Digital Maturity Match Your Automations?

Nonprofit technology has evolved from basic donor databases, to allowing payment processing, to advanced tools for automation and analytics. The level of digital maturity in your organization determines how effectively you can integrate and scale automation.
Ask yourself: Are your systems integrated, or do they function in silos? Are you using manual spreadsheets, or have you implemented automated workflows? Are you working with a home grown database or one that’s in the cloud providing insights and analytics for decision-making?

Caption: We started with storing data, then added in payment processing, and now we have the capability to bring out insights and analytics from that data.

By understanding your current capabilities and gaps, you can develop a roadmap for adopting automation in a way that strengthens your nonprofit’s impact while maintaining thoughtful oversight.

How to Overcome the Roadblocks to Automation

Embracing automation can have its roadblocks. Plan ahead so they don’t hold you back. Some common barriers include:

• Lack of internal skills: If your team lacks the technical expertise to implement automation, it may be time to partner with a consultant who can help bridge that gap.
• Resistance to change: Introducing automation can feel overwhelming, especially if your team has been doing things a certain way for a long time. Emphasize the long-term benefits of automation and the freedom it offers for more creative, strategic thinking.
• Lack of appropriate tools: If your systems aren’t capable of automation, this can be a major barrier. But it’s also an opportunity to explore new software solutions that are better suited to your needs.

Conclusion: The Future of Nonprofit Efficiency is Automation

By focusing on strategic automation and modern technology solutions, your nonprofit can unlock new levels of efficiency and impact—ultimately making a bigger difference in the communities you serve.

If you’re ready to explore how nonprofit technology automation can benefit your organization, contact us. We can help you design and implement systems to set your organization up for long-term success.