Field notes: 4 takeaways from the 2019 Nonprofit Technology Conference

Last November, we launched Asana for Nonprofits, making the 2019 Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) in March our first opportunity to connect with members of the nonprofit community in person.

NTC is among the nation’s largest conference dedicated to fostering dialogue among 2,000 participants from the nonprofit sector, creating a space for attendees to share their experiences, learn from, and better equip one another to more effectively catalyze change in their communities.

More than 1,900 nonprofits have already chosen Asana as their work management platform. And since our launch, more than 250 organizations have been able to do so through our nonprofit program. We were excited to finally get out into the field at NTC to meet our customers where they are—to hear from them directly, learn the unique challenges they face everyday, and discover how we can help them better achieve their missions. Here are our key takeaways from the NTC.

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1. Technology can unlock possibilities for nonprofits

Much like their for-profit counterparts, nonprofits have similar needs that technology can help them address more effectively. How can nonprofits responsibly gather actionable and relevant data that’s free of bias and better informs decision-makers on how to act in the best interests of the communities they serve? How can marketing efforts enable nonprofits to identify, connect, and better engage with current and future supporters of their causes? How can technology be effectively leveraged to capture and amplify success stories to attract future advocates as well as maintain and expand current donor bases? NTC had over 300 speakers who offered new ways to unlock these possibilities.

2. Nonprofits can streamline process with technology

More often than not, nonprofits are asked to do a lot with a little. Being able to juggle rapidly shifting priorities and expand the positive reach of their work—both within their community and beyond—is a tall order, even with the necessary budget and staffing. Nonprofits can use technology to ease the pains of routine processes, coordinate organizational strategy across offices, and keep track of projects being executed by their staff and volunteers.

3. Technology can bridge geographical divides

Nonprofits also need to stay lean. Some bypass the cost of physical spaces in order to reinvest those savings, allowing them to engage with even more of their constituents. Others employ remote teams to ensure they are able to hire the most qualified employees for the job, not just those who can afford to live or relocate to the areas they wish to serve. As workforces become more decentralized, the need to find solutions for how to effectively scale your culture is increasingly important—for staff and volunteers alike. Technology can help nonprofits address these unique needs.

4. Adopting new technology is challenging

While digital transformation is the answer to many of their challenges, nonprofits face key obstacles that keep them from being able to fully embrace tech-based solutions. Tight budgets, uncertainty around which grants will be secured or renewed, and executive approval processes for purchasing technology are common. Additionally, generational diversity and varying preferences for collaboration tools among team members can create hurdles to successfully choosing and adopting new technologies.

Asana and nonprofits: How work management can help

For eligible organizations, Asana for Nonprofits provides access to Asana’s work management technology at a 50% discount to ensure that it’s accessible to nonprofit organizations. Whether you’re planning your next fundraising event, managing your volunteer onboarding process, or strategizing a campaign to reach prospective donors, Asana can help your team manage all of the programs and initiatives that are critical to the success of your nonprofit in one place.

We also understand that change is hard and that it can be difficult to commit to a new tool. To help nonprofit customers successfully adopt Asana, we also offer support through our Asana Advisor program. Recipients of the nonprofit discount can take advantage of a one-hour consultation with one of our in-house work management experts who can help unlock your team’s success with Asana.

Whatever your mission, the Asana for Nonprofits program was designed to help you achieve it with greater clarity and accountability. For more information, visit our Asana for Nonprofits page today.