Why Non-Profits Should Use Collaboration Software
The goal of any charity or non-profit is to see real change happen. And so, keeping overhead costs low is usually a high priority. Many charities start because certain needs are not met on the public level. Yet, as non-profits gain momentum, the intricacies of running a large organisation can slow things down. Revitalising communication and outreach tools can help non-profits increase the impact they make. So how can non- profits use innovation management tools to get creative in maximising the impact of their services? Here are a few ideas, and we’d love to hear some of yours in the comments!
Getting Immediate Feedback from the Field
Open communication can give non-profits a unique insight into the communities they serve. Charities want to help people. These people live in different countries, neighbourhoods, and communities around the world. The charity founders have decided that the current situation is not acceptable, and have sent over a team to put a new program in place. This could involve addressing education, gender equality, healthcare, or financial equality. After planning and running a program it can take several years to put an evaluation in place.
These evaluations provide detailed insights to donors and staff. But if a program is ineffective, participants wait a long time to see change.
With a collaborative platform, non profits can get feedback from their communities right away. Getting feedback on what is, and is not working will allow staff to address problems immediately. This line of open communication can also help shape future programs.
Creating an accessible entry point for the organisation
As your non-profit is gaining momentum, you may come across an unexpected problem. All those excited volunteers you took on are now using up more resources than they are creating new ones. You don’t want to push away these passionate people, but there is no point in having volunteers who don’t add value to your team.
By using a collaboration platform, people can be involved with your charity on a variety of levels. You can ask for feedback, get ideas for new programs or recruit for hands on helpers. This will allow you to keep an engaged tribe for your cause using minimal resources.
Why not change the way we look at volunteering? You can create a network of volunteers who can run local projects and bring specialised skills to your team.
Better Communication
It is common for non-profits to have offices in several different countries. As well, independent volunteer groups may start up in various cities to help fundraise for your cause . So how do you keep meaningful channels of communication open with each team?
Time zones, language differences, and everyday tasks can get in the way of knowledge sharing. Communication is often kept to only the necessary traveling between offices. This can create a divide between teams that doesn’t serve anybody. By using a collaboration platform, each team can post the big picture projects they are working on. In turn other groups can post feedback and discuss project ideas.
You can now include EVERYONE in your organisation in your brainstorming sessions. Team members in different countries and time zones can all contribute. From here you might want to create smaller project groups, or work on changing things together as a big team.
The desire to make change, can sometimes get lost along the way of emails, processes, and donor expectations. To succeed where it really matters, charities need to adapt with the changing communities they work with. Putting resources now into better collaboration systems, can make a world of difference in the future.
Are there other ways charities and non- profits can use collaboration software? Or do you think they should skip putting resources into a tool like this? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
