The world of non-profit organizations is changing with the rapid advancement of technology. Non-governmental organizations are no longer limited to the country or region where they originate but can operate from anywhere in the world thanks to technology. The introduction of technology into the world of non-profits has had a positive impact by making most of their operations less cumbersome.
Technology has helped NGOs to increase their reach, it has enabled NGOs to use the internet for their continuous growth and maximum reach. Recent reports show that 71% of NGOs send regular email updates about ongoing projects to their subscribers, donors, and supporters, illustrating the growing influence of technology on NGOs.
Social media is another technological tool that has helped NGOs get their brand known by reaching out to a wider audience. They are very effective in creating online brand awareness on issues that people are not aware of. An example of how social media works is how posts about issues like community development or children’s rights, when shared online, bring needed attention to troubling issues by inspiring philanthropy and creating social change.
These social media tools such as Facebook groups, Twitter and Instagram pages have raised awareness of certain targeted NGOs, and not only that, these tools help NGOs disseminate information faster and on a larger scale.
In the past, fundraising was typically a daunting task that took time and delayed the implementation process, regardless of the purpose for which the funds were raised. But with today’s technology, funds for projects are raised in seconds, and the implementation of such projects begins at the designated time.
Through the proper use of technology, NGOs can operate more efficiently and cost-effectively. Technology tools are now available to help NGOs develop effective plans for current and future needs. These tools serve as virtual assistants that help them create weekly, monthly, and annual budgets that allow them to manage donations sent by their supporters.
Accounting/Tracking: With the advent of technology, manual record-keeping has been replaced with apps that not only record expenses and income but also track each transaction and store the information. Records of programs carried out and report on resources used to carry out such projects.
Not only has technology had a positive impact on developing the reach of NGOs, but some NGOs have learned to maximize technology and in turn use it to improve people’s lives. These NGOs are passionate about making technological advances more accessible, affordable, and easy to use.
Some examples of NGOs that choose to use technology to serve others are:
- NPOWER: They offer courses related to technology as well as mentoring programs for professional development. These services target underprivileged youth who need such opportunities to have better prospects in life.
- CHILDS PLAY: This is a non-profit gaming industry that works to make the lives of hospitalized children more bearable by providing them with games and consoles to engage with during their recovery.
- ONE LAPTOP FOR A CHILD: Their goal is to empower children through education and provide them with low-cost, low-powered laptops. They also advocate for computer science to be included in the curriculum of all schools.
The impact of technology cannot be overlooked as it has made serving humanity quite easy, making it a problem solver and bridge-builder between NGOs and their target audience.
At this point in time, we can safely assume that
Technology and NGOs are intertwined in the role they play for each other, and in the near future NGOs will be so intertwined with technology that automation of services will be the order of the day.