Non Profit Software: How Technology Can Jumpstart Your Nonprofit

If you are starting a nonprofit, or have recently started a nonprofit organization, you probably realize that technology is fundamentally important. Of course, beginning a nonprofit generally means you have a zero budget and may be starting your organization with an old computer. Non profit software is easily available for a price, but you can find many open source programs to take your nonprofit to a level it’s never been before.

Open Source Software

Right away you will need is an office suite that can work with Microsoft Office. Many for-profit businesses are using Open Office, because it is completely free and includes powerful spreadsheet, word processor, presentation, and drawing programs. You will depend on these sort of programs daily. Open Office works with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

Another free non profit software choice for an office program that allows sharing is Google Docs. Google Docs includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, drawing, and form. The nice aspect to Google Docs is you can share documents with others in your non-profit easily.

Additionally, you will need a powerful email program. There are several free open source options including Thunderbird. Thunderbird has many available add ons such as a fully-featured calendar with task reminder, which allows you to schedule activities and events. It also includes email with powerful rules and folders so you can keep everything organized.

Website Resources

You will need a website, but typically as a new nonprofit, you cannot afford a professional web designer. Investigate programs such as WordPress, because this will walk you through setting up a blog and also offers inexpensive web hosting. It is a business that has been in business for some time and is very respected.

Some Other Software

Donor database software, which you will probably need, may cost a bit of money. Controlling your costs as a nonprofit will always be an important task, but in the beginning it is crucially important. You might want to start with these options: Donation Solutions, DonorAccess, Donor Records, and Easy Gift, though there are many others. In the very beginning you may be able to get away with a spreadsheet for your donor donations, but eventually, you will need to invest in actual donor database software.

Backing up your Data

You should have your data backed up and you can do this very inexpensively via an online program like MozyPro, Carbonite, and iDrive. These services are very inexpensive. If you lost your data, your nonprofit could die. You definitely should consider how to back it up.

Final Considerations

To make an effective nonprofit organization, you will need to use technology and today there are many inexpensive or totally free options so that you can take your nonprofit to the next level.