Just like businesses in the private and public sectors, schools, and other institutions, nonprofits rely on technology to function effectively.
From fundraising and grant solicitations to distributing resources, technology enables many nonprofits to fulfill their mission of serving others.
So, who do nonprofits rely on to ensure that their IT systems stay up and running? Oftentimes, they turn to a colleague who happens to have a technology background or informal training.
Other times, they call up their standby, "Mr. Fix It" IT technician that they’ve used for years to troubleshoot their software and devices as problems pop up.
Nonprofit organizations are also often the target of malicious actors for several reasons.
For starters, hackers know that their limited resources could signal that they're using outdated systems with hidden security weaknesses that can be exploited.
Hackers are also attracted by the vast amounts of personal data that nonprofits possess and share with their partners, constituents, and outside agencies.
In this article, we’ll detail 8 key benefits of managed IT for nonprofits. You'll also learn how managed IT helps nonprofits save money and maximize resources.
With this information, you’ll understand how you can use technology to gain an advantage, navigate market changes, and propel your organization.
Nonprofit organizations today must juggle many different priorities, including donor management, grant writing, governance and oversight, volunteer management, community outreach and engagement, and regulatory considerations, among others.
Technology is the driving force behind all of these considerations.
That’s why charities, foundations, and similar not-for-profit entities depend on their IT software and hardware staying up and running securely and efficiently at all times.
Nonprofits need reliable technology to streamline data management, facilitate collaboration and communication, and serve their targeted communities.
Many nonprofits, however, are hindered by budgetary constraints, relying heavily on state, federal, and local funding, grant awards, and private donations to function. With limited resources, they often fall behind in managing and maintaining their infrastructure.
Outdated technology, overloaded data centers, network configuration issues, and a lack of robust data privacy and cybersecurity measures are some of the common IT challenges facing nonprofits today.
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Many nonprofits also lack dedicated IT teams, leaving them vulnerable to software or device failure, cyber threat, or a data breach, putting their organization and sensitive data at risk.
They also often lack internal expertise to provide training on best practices for handling sensitive data, using and maintaining IT equipment, and cybersecurity protocols.
Given these factors, many nonprofits are ill-prepared for disaster.
Globally, 27 percent of nonprofits have experienced a cyberattack, and 80 percent say they have no plans or strategy in place in the event of a cyberattack, according to recent reports.
What's more, a sizeable chunk of these not-for-profit organizations admit to having problems with data and IT management.
Twenty-seven percent of nonprofits had problems collecting and working with data, 24 percent reported a lack of expertise, and 23 percent experienced challenges with their technology, according to a 2024 report by Nonprofit Technology Network and Idealware.
According to a survey by NetChange on nonprofits’ use of technology, only 11 percent of respondents viewed their approaches to technology as being highly effective, as reported by the Yale School of Management.
Nonprofit managed IT services brings significant benefits, including cost savings, enhanced security, increased efficiency, and the ability to focus on their core mission, all while gaining access to specialized IT expertise.
Given the diverse IT concerns facing nonprofit associations, a number of organizations are partnering with managed IT service providers (MSPs) to help them solve their IT issues.
So, why should nonprofits use managed IT services?
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Just like their business counterparts, not-for-profit entities rely on their technology to navigate market changes and reach their stated goals and driving mission.
Before selecting an MSP, there are several essential factors to ensure that you choose a provider that is a good fit for your organization.
After reading this article, you now have a more complete understanding of key aspects of managed IT services for nonprofits.
You also now know how nonprofit managed IT services can help improve efficiency, data protection, and compliance, and keep your organization running smoothly and securely into the future.
You also understand how managed IT provides affordable and dependable tech support for small organizations who don't have an in-house IT team.
So, is managed IT support right for your nonprofit organization?
Consider the significant costs of hiring your own internal IT team and damage that could result from a possible cybersecurity incident when deciding if managed IT services for nonprofits are worth the investment.
With that said, whether you’re a nonprofit organization that’s never used managed IT services, or you’re looking to switch providers, it's important that you take a measured, deliberate approach to find the right provider for your organization.
Once you’ve determined your IT considerations and what you need out of a managed IT provider, do your research to assess two or three providers who meet your specific criteria—regardless of whether you choose to work with us or some other MSP.
This can help improve the chances of building a lasting partnership with your managed services provider.
If you think you couldn’t possibly afford managed IT, think again. Managed services is much more affordable than many people believe.
For an idea on how much managed services will cost your nonprofit, click the link to get your instant, no-cost and no-obligation estimate.
Or, click the button below to reach out to us. We’d love to talk to you about working together to implement the right IT solutions to help ensure that your organization continues to run securely and efficiently into the future.