How Nonprofits Can Makeup Manpower Shortage With Information Technology

Help! Manpower needed.  Manpower, a critical element in the operation of any organization is the support most often lacking in sustaining nonprofit organizations which are usually under staffed due to lack of funds.  Their funding deficit did not begin with the current economic crisis that has many hanging on by a prayer.

Real Life Struggles

Savannah, Georgia’s W. W. Law Foundation responsible for preserving the 100,000 piece collection of its namesake, civil rights activist, historic preservationist, educator and humanitarian, Westley Wallace Law, experienced the impact of diminishing funds from all sources.   When grants, corporate philanthropy, individual contributions and massive humanitarian support was directed to the overwhelming human and physical impact of the December 2004 Tsunami, followed in August 2005 by the catastrophic damage of hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, the Foundation was solely dependent on its board and volunteers to continue operating.

Natural disasters continuing to occur around the country and world pushed nonprofits further away from funding consideration.  Human and physical devastation deservedly trumped missions that were not directed at immediately relieving human suffering–so much so that one W. W. Law Foundation supporter felt obliged to give her annual contribution for the Foundation to the Red Cross. But the work and missions of nonprofit organizations must still be accomplished during the most austere times and continuous onslaught of natural disasters.

But what are nonprofits that lack money to hire staff to do? Here are six technology savvy strategies to help sustain nonprofit organizations and begin to improve their diminishing fundraising efforts.

1.  Develop a strong working board of directors, if you don’t already have one, with resources, information technology (IT) skills and a willingness to use their skills and resources to help sustain the organization through its time of diminishing funds.

2.  Add a standing Cyber board committee and/or hire someone to ensure your organization has an updated computer system (hardware) and devise IT strategies to incorporate the use of more technology in operation and fundraising to reach more potential supporters and carry out your organization’s mission.

3. Task your Cyber Committee to immediately create a website or blogsite, if you don’t already have one, with a means to accept donations.

4.  Use social media networks like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and others to develop and strengthen relationships with existing supporters and attack new supporters.

5.  Use social media networks to create online fundraising campaigns, encourage supporters to make financial and in-kind contributions and become online volunteers.

6.   Continue reading Nonprofit Pal for additional technologies, strategies and resources and follow Nonprofit Pal on Twitter.

Don’t expect to accomplish goals immediately, particularly if  your board does not have members with information technology skills or are unable to recruit volunteers with the needed skills or can not hire someone to assist with implementing the technology your organization need.  This is why devising strategies, strategic planning, your list of things to do with instructions on how to accomplish your goals are important.