After numerous privacy and security concerns many nonprofit organizations had second thoughts about employing Zoom as their go-to video conference platform. But with Covid-19 showing no signs of letting up – charities couldn’t just eliminate their contract – they had to make sure they had another video-conferencing platform set up.

Many of these nonprofits turned to Boardable – a board management software designed specifically for nonprofits in mind. While the software offers many other capabilities – they recently introduced their newest tool – Boardable Meetings with Video to alleviate customers’ needs for virtual meetings during the pandemic.

In Use:

Boardable software was developed by CEO and Founder Jeb Banner in 2016 after realizing that there were no board management platforms catering to nonprofits. He remembers managing board of directors trying to utilize tools that weren’t solving the core issues that his boards were facing. Instead of complaining, Banner decided to take a leap of faith and build an initial version of what is today known as Boardable.

While Boardable existed well before the pandemic - Boardable Meetings with Video came about as a direct result of many nonprofits forced to work remotely. Banner hopes that with Boardable Meetings with Video, he can “bring board experience to board members where they are digital living.” 

While some businesses use Boardable, it’s priced to where nonprofits whether they are small or large can utilize the platform. Pricing starts at $79 per month for 10 users and goes up to $299 per month for large, well established nonprofits. All companies wanting to try Boardable can access it free with a 30-day trial so they can test it before they use it – a big draw for charities hesitant about making the switch.

Technology Used:

Boardable Meetings with Video is located on the cloud. It also has an app for Android and iPhones so a board member can call in to a meeting virtually anywhere. When asked about security issues Banner assured me that one cannot “zoom” bomb a meeting – or pop into a meeting that he or she was not invited to. “You have to have a boardable account,” explains Banner. Authentication begins with an email address and if one does not have an account the host must add them to the meeting in order for the user to gain entrance.

Ease of Use

Customers think Boardable as a whole is easy to use so it makes sense that Boardable Meetings with Video is as well. Users can take advantage of the 30-day free trial to learn the system. Remember that this platform is very new so they may have to be patient as the platform works out the kinks in the system. Banner discussed how passionate he is about ensuring his customers benefit from the tool and is always eager to hear feedback whether positive or negative. Because of that he states that Boardable is always pushing out new releases to the software.

Recap:

Boardable is a board management software aimed at nonprofits. With boardable users can build agendas, record meetings, vote digitally, and store documents for ease of use. With the Covid-19 forcing volunteers and employees to work remotely Boardable introduced Boardable Meetings with Video which allows board of directors to get together digitally to hold meetings and vote. Affordably priced for charities – it’s an alternative to Zoom, WebEx, and other video conference platforms. Unlike other conferencing platforms, Boardable Meetings with Video has nonprofits best interests in mind – because it was built for them.

Advantages:

• Built specifically for nonprofits forced to work remotely due to Covid-19
• Different price-points for different size charities and nonprofits
• Free 30-day trial
• Includes more than just video conferencing – users can vote, e-signatures, save documents, and record minutes
• Mobile apps for Androids and iPhones

Disadvantages

• The video-conference tool is so new – they have not had time to figure out all of the kinks and fix them
• Compared to Zoom which is free to use – charities may opt for that

My Opinion

I have a confession. I hold a special place in my heart for software that’s created with nonprofit organizations in mind. Often times, nonprofits have to use outdated, cheap, and cumbersome tools because they don’t have the money to afford the latest platforms.

Boardable Meetings with Video is more than just a conferencing platform. With the monthly fees charities are also get the abilities to hold votes, save documents, and build agendas. It’s an interesting software to check out if you’re not satisfied with your current video-conferencing service. With a 30-day free trial – charities don’t have much to lose.

Fundraising is only one factor needed to run a successful nonprofit. There are also bills to be paid and taxes that are due that go along in “keeping the lights on” at a nonprofit.  A nonprofit whether large or small  should invest in a bookkeeping software to make sure that all of their transactions are in order. Nonprofit Treasurer is a software geared towards small nonprofits that will help them balance their books and build financial reports to get an accurate picture of their finances.

In Use:

The free bookkeeping software was built especially for small nonprofits and volunteer treasurers within the organization. The software enables a charity to “build trust, ease financial oversight, and reduce the burden of volunteer board roles.” Nonprofit Treasurer allows charities to build reports on their modern dashboard that’s easy to maneuver. With the software - nonprofits can import transactions, track expenses, and download budget performance reports on a monthly or yearly basis.

Ease of Use:

Users overwhelmingly agree that Nonprofit Treasurer is easy to use. Not only is it easy to use, but many nonprofits found that it was easy to learn as well.

The only issue from a functionality standpoint is that there is no “contact us” page within the website -  nor is there an email that a user or potential customer can use to contact support nor is there an “about us” page.  A recent review on Facebook stated, “when we tried to reach out to them for help we found NO contact information in the site, Facebook, YouTube, or any other place.” The review went on to say they tried to message the software via Twitter but did not receive a response.

Technology Needed:

Nonprofit Treasurer is a cloud-based software. The company boasts that their login is secure and uses bi-directional encryption. For security measures, nonprofits are allowed to give users credentials but can revoke them at any time if they were to leave the company or their role within the company changes.

Recap:

Nonprofit Treasurer is a free bookkeeping software that is geared towards small nonprofits. Nonprofit Treasurer enables users to bill, invoice, and track expenses all from the cloud. The dashboard is clean, and is easy to use which is crucial for small nonprofits who do not have a lot of time to learn new software.

Advantages:

• Nonprofit Treasurer includes everything a small nonprofit needs to run their organization from an accounting perspective
• Dashboard is user friendly and easy to explore
• Reporting is extensive enough for a small charity

Disadvantages:

• Customer Service is lacking as there is no contact page or email address
• There is no “About Us” page and little is known about the organization
• Website is outdated as well as the videos on their YouTube
• Small nonprofits will eventually grow out of Nonprofit Treasurer as they get bigger

My Opinion:

Nonprofit Treasurer is a great tool for HOA boards and small nonprofits who don’t have too many expenses. Many customers commend it’s ease of use, and the reports that they are able to pull using the software.

Usually my stance on free software is to give it a try because you don’t have much to lose. That being said, I would encourage you to do your research on Nonprofit Treasurer before uploading your sensitive data. I am not saying don’t use the software – just be cautious. If it were me I would make sure I had a conversation with the founder about privacy issues and who would have access to my data before uploading it to the dashboard.

You're changing the world. Let us help, the homepage of Qgiv implores. Qgiv, is a fundraising platform that helps nonprofit organizations raise money effortlessly. From multiple fundraising options to reporting and integrations, Qgiv has set out to be the premier fundraising option for nonprofit and faith-based charities across the country.

In Use:

Qgiv was created in 2007 to help nonprofits, faith-based charities, and political organizations leverage online donations. “As more and more transactions moved to taking place online, it became increasingly apparent that nonprofits would need to move into the digital space in order to maximize their fundraising efforts,” explains Sarah Sebastian, the Director of Brand Communication at Qgiv.

No two nonprofits are the same which is why Qgiv offers multiple options when it comes to fundraising. An organization geared towards college students may utilize the text-fundraising tool while a charity geared towards an older crowd may opt for the Auction-fundraising tool within Qgiv. Besides fundraising platforms, a subscription to Qgiv also includes event registration and detailed reporting to track donation progress.  

When it comes to pricing, Qgiv offers different packages that charities can chose from. Qgiv’s “Start” package is virtually free minus a transaction fee on all transactions. A smaller nonprofit can opt for the “Start” package which includes one-time and recurring donations, event registrations, and campaign thermometers while a larger nonprofit may chose the “Auction” package which is $229 per month. The Auction package includes everything from event registration, matching gift options, and in-app event purchases.

Technology Needed:

Qgiv is a cloud-based fundraising option that does not sit on-premise. Located all in one place, users don’t have to worry about getting the right type of operating system to support the software. One of the benefits of a cloud-based platform is that users can access the platform while remote – and being mobile responsive - users can access Qgiv on cellphones seamlessly.

When it comes to software-  nonprofits are always looking for ease of use as well as integrations. Qgiv does not disappoint when it comes to the amount of integrations that they offer. From CRMs (Blackbaud, Kindful) to Email Integrations (Constant Contact and Mailchimp) integrations allows for a smooth fundraising campaign.

Ease of Use:

While Qgiv does take time to master, the nonprofit software has various forms of customer service to help users navigate the platform. According to Sebastian, phone calls are always answered by a real person and users have access to free and unlimited support and training. “Many of the features and enhancements we develop are the results of direct client feedback or conversations with clients,” she notes.

Recap:

Cloud-based fundraising platform, Qgiv offers users everything from matching gift options, branding, subscription lists, custom reports, and recurring donations. What it lacks, they make up in integrations with popular softwares such as Quick Books and Salesforce.

Advantages:

• Different price points that can satisfy small to large nonprofits
• Excellent customer service and training tools
• Different type of fundraising capabilities to fit a nonprofit’s needs
• Mobile Responsive
• Various integrations with popular software

Disadvantages:

• Qgiv can be pricy depending on the needs of a nonprofit. If a nonprofit wants unlimited events or matching-gift options, they have to pay $229 per month.
• The software can be difficult to navigate at first
• Certain integrations are slow or can be seen as “clunky”

My Opinion

I appreciate that Qgiv not only offer trainings, resources, and excellent customer service – but they’re constantly trying to improve their software based on customer feedback.

I also appreciate that the company offers different price points for their software so all different sizes of nonprofits can take advantage of it. While their free version may not get you peer-to-peer text giving or an event builder- it does include the basics like event registration and recurring donations.

Qgiv is a solid fundraising platform that can help nonprofits increase and track donations. Right now a potential customer can request a demo for any of their subscriptions so a nonprofit can pick the right package for them.

Building a website can be a daunting task for a nonprofit organization just starting out. When many newer charities rely heavily on volunteers – employing a design team is out of the question. As the need for websites and content management increase – there are many web design platforms that charities can take advantage of. Using a design platform is less expensive then hiring a design team but it can still be pricey after hosting fees and a domain name are calculated.  As the number one content management system (CMS) with 61.8% of the market share and nearly 55,000 web plugins to enhance a website – WordPress should definitely be considered when a nonprofit is designing a new website for their organization or creating one for the first time.

In Use:

Not only do most businesses choose WordPress but it’s one of the oldest CMS software to date.  Released in 2003 – WordPress is a free open-sourced software – meaning that developers can add, modify, and build plugins to augment the software. While there are fees associated with creating a website such as purchasing a domain name and hosting fees – WordPress itself is free.

Users can customize the look and feel of their website using numerous front and back end plugins. Need to create a contact form? There’s a plugin for that. Need a firewall – there’s a plugin for that. Need to edit a photo or video? You get the picture – there’s a plugin for just about anything. And if there isn’t – because it’s open-sourced one can be developed. Any type of website can be built in WordPress. Because it’s a content management system – you have control over every element of the website opposed to a website builder where you have control on the look and feel of the website but not necessarily the backend.

Ease of Use:

WordPress has a variety of website templates or “themes” that a nonprofit can choose from. Once implemented – a nonprofit organization can begin to customize it. The “Ease of Use” depends on whether or not a person or nonprofit is web savvy. WordPress is unfairly compared against website builders such as Wix or Weebly when essentially it’s different and more complex because it management every aspect of content from blog posts, event registration, newsletters, gated assets, and the website itself.  So compared to Wix or Weebly – it is trickier and the learning curve is exponentially higher. Compared to other content management systems such as Drupal or Squarespace it’s easier to use and has a lower overhead cost – which significantly benefits nonprofits.

When it comes to WordPress, it can often take time it takes maneuvering code on the backend – to get your website exactly the way you want it. Edits in WordPress are not done in “real time” which means you must go back and forth between the editor and the “live view” to make sure you like the way it look.

Content Management Systems can be confusing and rely heavily on HTML/CSS knowledge. Because of this – I wouldn’t say WordPress is particularly easy to use from the start. The good news is that WordPress has an enormous community that are ready to help and support beginners. Whether that means asking for tips and tricks, hiring a freelance web designer, or taking classes to improve your skills.

Along with classes, WordPress offers a wide range of instructional videos, and documentation. They also offer a Live Chat feature if a nonprofit has any questions. Depending on HTML knowledge – a nonprofit may have to hire a web developer to initially design and build their website – but with the numerous assets available – a nonprofit shouldn’t have any problems maintaining it when it’s been created.

Technology Used:

WordPress is available on the cloud – so no additional technology is needed.  In terms of integrations- WordPress has about 54,000 plugins can source. Companies that have created WordPress plugins include Google, HubSpot, and Mailchimp.

It’s important to have good security protection for your WordPress website. Because of its popularity – many websites are vulnerable to hackers and cyber threats. This is arguably the biggest disadvantage of a WordPress website.

Recap:

WordPress is a content management system that allows businesses and nonprofits to create and manage their content such as a website, blog, or gated assets. It does have the ability to go further and host landing pages. WordPress is the most common content management system to date having more than half of the market share today. Because of its notoriety and the fact that it is open-sourced there are many plugins a company can take advantage of to enhance their content.

Advantages:

• Free and open-sourced
• Over 54,000 plugins and integrations
• Cloud-based
• Customizable

Disadvantages:

• Learning curve is high
• Vulnerable to hackers and security threats
• Chances are you will need to hire a developer to get your website off the ground
• While the service itself is free – there are costs associated with developing and maintaining your content

My Opinion

As someone who has a WordPress site (shameless plug) I’ve always found WordPress and other content management systems daunting to the point where I put off creating a website for years. Finally, I hired a freelance web developer to create my website for me which came at a cost. Because it wasn’t an exuberant amount of money – hiring a freelance web developer would not break the bank of a small nonprofit – which enables them to get a clean, sophisticated website.

I can say without a doubt that I never would have been able to create the look and feel of my website by creating it myself. To create a sophisticated website on WordPress - you need to know code and if you don’t know code – then you need to hire someone that does. The good news is that once my website was built I felt comfortable in the tool to maintain it.

Overall, I would recommend WordPress because the possibilities are endless with what you can create. However, I would be prepared to hire a web developer to help you create, maintain, and secure your website because it’s too hard to do it yourself unless you have coding experience.

The end of the year, which is the most important time for fundraising, is finally here, and it is about time you begin thinking of how you can make the most out of this season. Whether you have been trying hard to come up with strategies that will assure you success during this season or you are currently putting together a quick campaign to boost the amount of money you get, the goal is always the same- to get the best out of season and attract as many donors as possible, mainly the new ones and their donations before the year comes to an end. Here are a few ways you should adopt to boost your year-end fundraising and get more donors and donations to fund your cause.

1. Tell your story

Once you have decided to run a fundraising effort, be prepared to let your cause be known to everyone you target. You cannot achieve this until you let your intentions known. Tell your story everywhere and choose a method that you can use to reach everyone conveniently. Do not just use a single communication platform and channels. Mix different channels and ensure they are in sync. Tell the story of your nonprofit and your needs since this the best way to make people stick. Once you have identified the story you want to tell, decide how you want to tell it and consider your audience.

2. Promote donations using eCards

Simple as they may seem, gift cards are an excellent way for modern nonprofits. With just a few clicks, supporters can make their donations to your organization. This is the simplest gift option that your donors can give to their loved ones, just like gift cards. Create custom branded eCards that have programs and causes and impact that the nonprofit seeks to make. Do not forget to add the logo of the nonprofit and make it as simple as possible.

3. Make use of your blog

A blog is a simple but great storytelling platform that is always available. You can share your nonprofit’s agenda and story through multiple blog posts or stories that lead your audience to a single call to action. Feature past projects, people you have touched, and causes you have funded, and explain what you hope to achieve in a given time if given time and resources.

4. Take advantage of social media

Once you are done with blog posts, perhaps your next stop should be sharing what you have written there on social media. There is nothing that can be done in fundraising these days without using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, among others. These are the areas that you can reach most donors. Repurpose your blog posts into short but engaging social media posts with the right call to action and links to your website. Use graphics, since they always say a picture is worth a thousand words.

5. Optimize your emails

Remind people at the end of November or early December of the need to get involved in your fundraising efforts. It is essential to send your campaign announcements and appeal to them during busy shopping weeks since most of them may forget. Always keep your subject line and offer a new reason why they should give to your cause. Keep the appeal fresh each time. Even as the year draws close to the end, send reminders and appeals letting people know that they are not too late, and their contribution can still help. Remember to keep your emails short and sweet to the reader. Long emails are always boring and turn the readers off.

You still have time to do a few things that will increase your end-year fundraising amounts. While you may not do everything now, the above strategies are a way to get you started. Pick what works best for you and see how they can help!

Getting a fundraising event right can get you and your nonprofit a lot of money to fund a specific cause and build an excellent relationship with the donor. In contrast, a poor event can cost your nonprofit money and deny opportunities and donors who would be willing to give for a specific course. Here are some mistakes that many nonprofits make that you should avoid in your fundraising event.

1. Starting planning too late

Planning is the first and the most critical part of any fundraising event. As such, it should start as early as six months before the event date. However, most nonprofits start this phase too late and can, as a result, skew the entire fundraising event. It can also lead to fatigue and stress among the workforce due to the last-minute rush, which could have otherwise been done early enough. As a nonprofit leader, ensure that you have adequate time to prepare for fundraising. Also, make sure that you address issues as they emerge and prepare for challenges that pop up on the way as you go about with your operations. Your activities during this time should explore aspects such as the goal of the fundraising, details of the event, people involved, and the event communications.

2. Failure to understand the cost of the events

The main goal of a fundraising event is pretty obvious — to raise money for a specific cause. In doing so, many nonprofits often try to cut event costs to ensure they make profits as much as possible. While cost-cutting is important, one must always understand that fundraising costs money, and failure to understand the budget will end up limiting the amount of money you receive. Always understand critical aspects of fundraising events such as venue, entertainment, support staff, catering, and event software, among others. Always remember that nothing is for free. Preparing your mind for this will allow you to plan.

3. Depending on a single channel for sharing

Sharing information is one of the critical aspects of a successful fundraising. Unfortunately, many nonprofits use a single social sharing channel. This limits the sharing ability and the reach of fundraising messages. Nonprofits must take advantage of various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and websites to increase the reach of their messages. The widespread the message, the more the donors and the higher the fundraising amount you can receive for your course. By using different types of messaging and channels, multiple followers can be attracted and more money raised.

4. Depending on the cause to persuade attendees

Mistakenly, many nonprofit managers think that the cause alone is enough to attract donations and donor money. However, this is not true. If this was the case, there would be no need for fundraising events. Unlike what many people may think, soliciting money for a particular cause is more complicated than what people may think. Do not expect people to come to your event because your cause is noble. Instead, persuade your donors to attend your event and donate and motivate potential donors.

5. Making awareness a priority instead of action

Creating awareness for a nonprofit is necessary for raising the right amount in an event. However, awareness alone does not directly translate into funds and support. While awareness is crucial, actions need to follow it since this will impact your nonprofit. Inspire potential donors by being transparent in your fundraising goals and developing a plan of action.

As you continue to plan your next fundraising event, let the above lessons always guide as reminders. Always have fundraising event best practices and try as much as possible to avoid mistakes that can affect your planning.

The past few decades have been difficult for nonprofits and charities. With the demand for charity now rising more than ever before, the already strained budgets are facing immense pressure. One of the biggest challenges to nonprofits is the changes that take place in the nonprofit environment, such as taxation regimes. Public trust is also reducing, and it is now time for nonprofit leaders to innovate to ensure that they protect their mission and offer services regardless of the changes in the environment.

If you are unable to raise funds for your nonprofits, here are some of the fundraising challenges that may be the culprit.

1. High donor expectations

For nonprofits, soliciting funds from donors is the main work. In the 1900s, fundraisers were tasked with seeking people who would donate their money for a specific course, and their work is done. However, this mindset has changed in the modern world. Every donor wants to be involved in other issues away from giving, which is the core work of a nonprofit. According to research, about 59% of participants want to know the total amount of money raised. Another 44.5% want to know how the money raised will be used. This means that donors want to participate more like shareholders as they demand more accountability, transparency and results in their investments. You can solve this by meeting the expectations of the donors. Always keep them informed through personalized messages to keep them engaged and happy.

2. Increased communication

Over the past decade, the nonprofit sector has grown by about 20%. This is a significant improvement considering the industry growth has been growing by between 2 to 5%. Most of these nonprofits do similar work, meaning that there scarcity of resources. Due to limited resources, competition for donor attention has intensified. Nonprofits must also compete against each other to get volunteers for their causes. The government funding, as well as grants, have to be shared between many eligible organizations. This means that nonprofits get a lesser amount than before. This competition means that there is less nonprofit funding for each organization. Although it is hard to compete in the modern environment, the solution to this is to ensure that you maintain the existing donors. Make your vision and mission as specific as possible as this will allow you to reach those donors who would like to support your cause.

3. Distrust of nonprofits

Scandals in the nonprofit sector, just like in the for-profit industry, have an adverse effect. However, the impact on charities is even more drastic. An example is the Olive Cooke scandal that impacted nonprofit organizations as donors began seeing them as a group of people who only care about money. Scandals change the perspective of existing and potential donors and increase distrust. Distrust among donors can have negative implications on the fundraising initiatives as donors can hold on to their money. Maintain the trust with your donors by always ensuring that you are transparent, accessible and accountable in your actions.

4. Lack of leadership

Leadership and the quality of those given the mandate to run charities are critical to the success of a nonprofit. As such, nonprofits must always put people who are good in planning, budgeting and strategizing at the helm. Nonprofits must also ensure that those in top positions are credible and accountable. Any leadership vacuum must be filled with the right people who will further the cause and stick to the mission and vision. Doing so will keep the trust of the nonprofit among the donors. Unfortunately, some nonprofits do not do so and often complain of low fundraising amounts, fewer donors and poor donor retention rates.

Despite the fundraising challenges listed above and others, there is always a chance for your nonprofit to emerge stronger. By ensuring that you have the right leadership, transparency and accountability, you can quickly increase your funding. By embracing digital technologies, you can easily know what donors want and bring them up to speed so that they can fund your cause.

Money is a crucial necessity that keeps any nonprofit in operation. It is for this reason that this is the leading topic of conversation among professionals in this sector. Among the key points of discussion is where money can be obtained for, why there is less money and how much money is needed to fund a particular cause.  These questions become even louder in tough times like we are today. The answers to these questions cannot be obtained easily. As a nonprofit leader, here are some nonprofit funding models that you need to acquaint yourself with to maneuver the ever-dynamic charity landscape.

1. Heartfelt connector

This model focuses on the cause or causes that resonate with the concern of a large number of people or real issues that affect people of all income levels. It entails creating a structured way that allows people to connect where no way had existed before. The heartfelt connector model builds explicit connections among volunteers through special fundraising drives that allow individuals to give money. It includes volunteers that work together to form teams, seek funding and participate in fundraising events. Some of the leading areas that this model is applied to include medical research, environment, among others.

2. Beneficiary builder

Nonprofits that use this strategy offer services to individuals that pay to cover the cost. These nonprofits rely on people that have benefitted from their services for their donations. An example of such nonprofit is Cleveland Clinic which provides medical services to individuals but depends on the same individuals to donate for their various medical-related causes. The beneficiary builder funding model is used mainly by hospitals and universities. Universities, for example, offer services that motivate the beneficiaries to give money back because of the impact that services offered had on their schooling.

3. Member Motivator

This model depends on individuals who donate money because a cause being funded is integral to their daily life and is something that a given group of people benefit collectively. This model aims at connecting members and donors through activities that they are already seeking. The organizations that use this model are those in religion, environment, humanities, arts and culture. An example of an organization that uses this funding model is The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) whose aim is to protect wild turkey habitats and promote wild turkey hunting. The turkey hunters collectively benefit from this federation’s work and are the sole members and fundraisers.

4. The big bettor

In this model, nonprofits rely on grants from a few individuals or foundations to fund their activities. The main donor is also the founder who wants to tackle a specific issue that is personal to them. While the beginning of funding start with financial backing having been secured already, the existing can sometimes get support from a major donor who may come up with financial backing to fund a new approach that will help a given problem. The main causes that are targeted by Big Betters are those that are either in medical research or environment.

5. Resource Recycler

This model allows organizations to receive donations in-kind and later distribute what they receive from donors to the needy. Some of the donations they receive are food with an expiration date, clothing, among others. Although the main donations that these nonprofits receive are in kind, they also collect additional funds that help to settle operating costs. Non-profits using this funding model are those in food, agriculture, medical industry and nutrition.

Although there are more than fifteen nonprofit funding models in place, identify the one that suits you based on the industry you want to venture into or the course you want to involve yourself in.

You can now say “Alexa make a donation to_____” and have Alexa use your Amazon pay account to make a donation up to $5,000.  Currently, this program is only available to select charities that have been invited by Amazon. However, it is likely that this program will be a hit with both donors and nonprofits, so it is something that you should have on your radar for the upcoming year. 

Another high tech trend to watch for 2020 is the rise in giving via a blockchain platform. A blockchain platform is  a public ledger relying on globally distributed historical transactions to prevent tampering and fraud. 

Blockchain was designed to offer a higher level of transparency for transactions. Many donors wish to know that their donations are going directly to the charity that they have selected for the express purpose of funding a certain project. A blockchain giving platform can give them that piece of mind. 

BitGive’s GiveTrack is an example of one such platform. BitGive shares detailed real time information about the financial and project status of the charities that they work with that are accepting donations via GiveTrack.

Global Giving is a crowdfunding platform designed to help small nonprofits raise awareness and money. Global Giving is also a nonprofit, which means it understands what nonprofits need to run a successful fundraising campaign. 

Global Giving also understands that small nonprofits don’t have a large budget, so there is no application fee to join the  Global Giving platform. There is no monthly subscription fee, however Global Givings has a 3% transaction fee along with a sliding scale support fee of 5-12% of collected donations. 

The site offers a host of training and support options for nonprofits that join the platform. There are webinars, training libraries, workshops, one on one phone consultations or site visits.  The platform has tools like gamification and incentives to increase donations. 

The platform offers all the standard fundraising campaign tools, including metrics, donor engagement, social media integration. What it also offers is opportunities to partner with large companies for matching grants, or specific giving programs with the company.

know your audience in order to determine if live streaming is right for your nonprofit. The people you want to engage through a live stream have to be savvy enough to access your video feed so that they aren’t overwhelmed or frustrated by the experience. Beyond this point, your decision should come down to value—both to the viewer and to your organization.

If your organization is exploring adding a livestream to your next event there are a few things that you should consider. First, is your event the type of event that makes for a good livestream. 

The purpose of the livestream is to generate enthusiasm and excitement from those who are unable to attend in person. The event you are live streaming has to be visually interesting enough to keep your online viewer engaged. The most successful live streams are based on events that have an element of excitement to them. Is your event a fashion show? Will there be cute animals?--you can never go wrong livestreaming cute animals.  Also, if your event includes a celebrity guest that you know people who were unable to attend in person would love to see, 

After determining if your event is right for a livestream, it’s time to consider if your intended audience is right for a livestream. If your audience is comfortable using Twitch, YouTube or social media, if you chose to livestream via Facebook than live streaming is a good idea. If your audience is not comfortable with those platforms it doesn’t mean that you can’t do a livestream it just means that you may not get a huge return from the event. 

Next, it’s time to plan your livestream events content. Think of your live stream as the modern equivalent to a charity telethon-except instead of broadcasting on TV your using the internet. A telethon doesn’t consist of a single still shot of the action and neither should your livestream. 

Create a content script. If your are doing a fashion show consider doing interviews with the models or designers (or stores that donated the fashion). Have a host roving the audience,anything to spice up the broadcast. Remember you want to keep the excitement going. 

Many livestream apps allow your organization to collect donations directly from the livestream platform, so make sure your call to action is clear. 

EveryAction wants to be everything to every nonprofit. This cloud based platform offers fundraising, advocacy, organizing and digital all in one package. 

For fundraising, you can use the platform to create a simple donation page for your website. You can also use the platform to track major gifts, pledges and other donations. And, you can run an online auction with it as well. 

Get all your advocacy done with social matching and listening which lets you monitor and track influential supporters and it has an advocacy module that makes it easy for you to turn your advocates into donors. 

Organize your supporters with the built in tools to manage your volunteers and coordinate your canvassing or phone bank events. 

The digital portion lets you build multi channel ad campaigns. The platform includes data visualization tools so you can make use of all the various data sets that your organization accumulates. 

Nonprofits can make the most out the remaining giving days in the year, reports The Nonprofit Times. 

You’ve survived Giving Tuesday – and hopefully come out of it with a nice boost of donation revenue for your nonprofit.

Read article on The Nonprofit Times

New Story, a nonprofit that focuses on using tech to build affordable housing, plans on having 50 new homes erected a Mexico community by the end of 2020. 

A giant 3D printer built two houses in an impoverished, rural part of Mexico last week, breaking ground on what will be the first 3D-printed neighborhood in the world.

Read article on Fox 2 Now

According to the Biz Tech Magazine, integrated giving is one of several technology trends that will impact nonprofits in 2020. 

Nonprofits have a lot on their plates. Charitable giving took a hit last year, declining for the first time since the Great Recession, forcing organizations to do more with less.

Read article on Biz Tech Magazine

Mobile friendly devices help contribute to the success of #GivingTuesday, reports Biz Tech Magazine.  

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday are all behind us, but the long Thanksgiving weekend isn’t over yet. Many will be digging deep into their pockets again today, but not for themselves—this time, it’s for Giving Tuesday. 

Read article on BizTech Magazine