NGOs generally operate with scarce resources to advocate for and support the most diverse causes. Among the biggest challenges faced are accountability, publicity of the services provided, searching for support, sponsorship, volunteers, and fundraising to maintain activities. 

Given this context, it is a fact that automating and simplifying processes is a fundamental strategy for the competitiveness, reach, and visibility of these organizations. After all, technological help not only provides greater fluidity to services, but also contributes to resource management and attracting new donors and volunteers. 

Adopting digital strategies goes far beyond using computers to create and record spreadsheets; there are other useful and specific solutions to organize, streamline, and facilitate the management of an entity. If you want to discover what they are, you are in the right place! 

The Strategic Use of Digital Solutions for NGOs

#CodeBitTip: Before applying digital resources in an institution, it is necessary to plan, analyze all available tools, check if they align with the entity's goals and objectives, and create strategies to make the most of them. This makes it much easier to identify what is most suitable to make the work sustainable and effective.

Discover, in the next topics, some tools that help boost public reach, automate tasks, and ensure the functioning of the activities of third-sector institutions with transparency and professionalism.

Digital Presence on Social Media

Social media networks are among the most adopted tools by NGOs and entities that wish to establish a communication strategy focused on increasing fundraising. 71% of organizations stated that social networks are effective channels for fundraising. On the other hand, 25% of donors rated social media as the tools that most inspire them to donate.

Overall, the numbers speak for themselves and reinforce the huge potential reach of social media. If your organization is not yet part of this scenario, it is likely wasting opportunities to get closer to the public, create feelings of identification, and consequently encourage more people to support the causes championed. Most of these media platforms are free, simple to access, and have a large number of active users. 

Choose the most suitable channel and start presenting your projects, highlighting the actions carried out, and the positive social impacts your institution brings to society right now.

Online Donation System

In addition to social media, which facilitates an institution's contact with its audience, there are specific platforms for collecting funds: online donation systems.

This software is capable of operating completely digitally, allowing organizations to obtain donations from a distance, without donors leaving their homes, facing traffic or queues, with total convenience and security.

Generally, the systems are integrated into the organizations' own websites and offer a complete dashboard with relevant data and information, facilitating control and allowing real-time monitoring of numbers.

Another advantage is that these tools authorize national and international donations, and also offer several payment formats such as bank transfer slips, PIX, and debit and credit cards.

Digital Infrastructure

Spreadsheets, papers, and files are definitely a thing of the past, as they do not allow integration or simultaneous access and are more prone to carelessness, loss, or misplacement.

In the current scenario, it is important to have technologies capable of meeting the demands of institutions, offering administrative support, and controlling financial investments. 

Therefore, it is worth relying on management tools that provide comprehensive resources and possibilities, optimize control, promote greater productivity, and reduce errors.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a solution that allows users to perform different tasks, such as storage, editing, and sharing of files, data, and even complete systems, through an online connection, without the need for software installations or investments in physical servers.

Due to its capacity, stability, customization, and flexibility, the cloud quickly conquered the corporate scene. According to a survey conducted by FGV (Getulio Vargas Foundation) in April last year, 42% of Brazilian companies already use the cloud for data processing. 

Undoubtedly, just as in the private sector, the digitalization provided by Cloud Computing is also an excellent ally in making third-sector entities more connected, helping them stand out and develop their competitiveness. After all, by adopting the digital service, an institution can use its tools and save all the work done to access it later from anywhere.

Why is Cloud Computing fundamental for NGO operations?

Cost Reduction and Resource Optimization

Contrary to what many managers believe, the cloud provides much more savings than investments to NGOs. After all, it allows resources and functionalities to be allocated and adjusted according to demand, contributing to sustainable growth without the need for major investments in physical infrastructure. 

Implementing customized cloud solutions can significantly reduce the operating costs of third-sector organizations. This happens because expenses related to software licenses and maintenance are considerably reduced. In addition, the cloud is synonymous with scalability. This means that NGOs can choose the most suitable capacity and pay only for the features they actually need, avoiding waste of resources and investment.

Another advantage is that, by adopting this solution, entities can count on a much leaner IT team, since all software management, as well as any maintenance and updates, is the responsibility of the service provider.

Continuous Remote Collaboration

Unlike physical servers, the cloud allows continuous remote collaboration for all team members, including volunteers, suppliers, and donors. With the digital solution and all its connectivity, trust, security, and unrestricted access, employees and volunteers can perform their tasks (in-person, remote, or hybrid) without instability or interruptions, relying on full support and technological potential.

Transparency

Whether in financial management, project promotion, campaigns, or accountability, transparency is an indispensable factor for third-sector entities. Therefore, in the digital era, organizations have an obligation to find ways to store, process, and make data available in a transparent manner, to reinforce their credibility and attract more support, volunteers, and resources to the causes they champion. 

In this regard, cloud computing is a very assertive strategic solution, enabling organizations to track and share with the public various relevant information, such as, for example, the destination of donations, the total value of collected funds, investments made, and much more. 

Sustainability

Precisely because it does not require the use of lots of in-house equipment, cloud computing also guarantees more sustainability for entities, thanks to space and energy savings, less need for cooling systems, reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, reduced paper use, and much more. From the moment large servers are centralized and use the best technologies available on the market, it is possible to optimize resource consumption, minimize impacts on the planet, and ensure management aligned with environmental concerns.

Modernized Management

Last but not least, the broad integration capacity provided by the cloud enables a more efficient communication flow between employees, volunteers, donors, and sponsors. This contributes not only to modernizing management, but also to simplifying processes directed at accounting and resource management, allowing organizations to direct their efforts to fulfill their true missions instead of being stuck with repetitive administrative tasks.

Due to the countless advantages offered, several non-profit institutions are being "invited" to migrate to the cloud. In fact, many of them already apply the features in their daily tasks and can observe, in practice, the true potential and convenience offered by the tool.

Would you like to know more about how cloud computing can transform your institution's processes? 

Click here and talk to our team of specialists, it will be a pleasure to present all the advantages of this innovative solution!

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