The Australian nonprofit sector is in the midst of transformational change due to widespread adoption of digital technologies. As organisations prepare for the opportunities that will arise over the next five to ten years, the enormous potential of nonprofit digital transformation provides countless opportunities to grow capacity, increase financial stability and meet the needs of the community, even with limited resources. This is particularly relevant in light of the shift towards remote and hybrid workstyles, the move towards relationship-based fundraising and engagement, the proliferation of data and the increasing need to earn the trust of your stakeholders.
In this article, we explore the sector-wide shift towards systems that work for you not against you, the active role cloud technologies play as an enabler for growth, and where nonprofits should be focusing their digitisation efforts.
But first, a note. Digitisation can be a complex and overwhelming undertaking if tackled all at once. Instead, consider the transformation of your organisation as evolutionary and it will become far more manageable and achievable.
Ramping up reporting capabilities
Accounting in nonprofit organisations is a complex business. It requires real-time visibility into budgets and spending in order to optimise social impact, and access to real-time information on donors, donor funds and the cost of servicing programs. But this information is only useful if it is accurately measured and reported on. A modern cloud-based ERP system supports nonprofit accounting complexity, while streamlining workflows and boosting the productivity of finance teams. With the data they need at their fingertips, your team can create summaries of campaign strategies, top donor reports and an overall picture of strategy strengths, among many other reports. In fact, across all Annexa nonprofit clients, financial reporting has been the main driver for deploying a NetSuite cloud solution.
For example, Annexa client YWCA deployed NetSuite to centralise financial management and enhance their data extraction and reporting capabilities, effectively freeing up staff to focus on more value-adding activities. You can read more about their solution here.
Remote access with a unified view
The future of work is now almost certainly a combination of remote and on-site workspaces. Supporting ongoing productivity depends on how nonprofit leaders shape the systems and processes that enable these new working modes. On top of this, nonprofits tackle problems locally, as well as internationally and ‘in the field’. Many recent nonprofit digital transformation initiatives have focused on migrating to a cloud system that allows managers, workers and volunteers to access and update vital information from any location with an internet connection. At the same time, the centralised nature of cloud-based systems means that information is captured and stored in one place, providing a unified view of even the most geographically diverse mission.
For example, Annexa client and international development organisation, Motivation Australia, deployed NetSuite in part to allow staff and volunteers to securely access NetSuite wherever they roam. Whether in the South Australian head office or on a small pacific island, their people can now access their business systems to provide real-time updates on how they are reducing the impact of impairment, removing barriers, and empowering people with disabilities to live their lives to the fullest. You can read more about their solution here.
Digital initiatives and agility
Nonprofit digital transformation is about more than just improving financial and accounting capabilities, although there is often plenty of room for improvement here. Some organisations are also launching new digital initiatives, such as eCommerce, with the help of cloud-based ERP systems. With the right technology, you can quickly get up and running selling publications, merchandise and tickets to events in ways that integrate with your entire organisation.
For example, Annexa client Good360 has leveraged the NetSuite platform to support its complex inventory and warehousing requirements. They can now move their 3500 square metres of inventory quickly and seamlessly between their countless business partners and the 3000 charities and schools they support. You can read more about their solution here.
Digitisation and personalisation
Personalisation has long been a prime driver of successful communication initiatives across almost all commercial industries. And technology is strengthening the ability to deliver far more personal experiences across different channels. Despite this, there’s still room for improvement.
It’s the same in the nonprofit sector, where relationship-based fundraising has grown in popularity as a key strategy for engaging and retaining supporters. After all, stakeholders are less likely to respond to high volume, catch-all campaigns and more likely to engage with content that is timely, targeted and discusses topics and issues that resonate with them. But to achieve this, nonprofits must deliver more sophisticated digital experiences and deploy digital platforms that support these activities.
For some, this may require transitioning from paper to digital. For those further along the maturity curve, it may mean reviewing and replacing existing systems, integrating siloed solutions, implementing a single solution that delivers personalisation, and many more of the nonprofit digital transformation initiatives covered in this article. Either way, a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution is critical in providing a 360-degree view of donors, volunteers, supporters and clients – via one single system. This vantage point allows nonprofits to cultivate strong and lasting relationships with individual and institutional supporters through applications that keep accurate records of donors and their donor history, as well as identify new fundraising opportunities.
Nonprofits are living in a new era where digitisation plays a central role in tracking data and reporting, supporting hybrid workers and volunteers, enabling agility and creating stronger, more fruitful relationships with stakeholders. Now is the time to embrace a new nonprofit digital transformation strategy that supports growth so you can continue to drive your cause forward.
NetSuite discounts for nonprofits
NetSuite and Annexa support the success of Australian nonprofits through the power of cloud technology and industry discounts. NetSuite offers product donations and reduced software costs, while we offer nonprofit service and support rates. This includes NetSuite ERP at a heavily discounted rate, with free core modules including financial, NetSuite’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and NetSuite OneWorld for multiple subsidiary management and advanced financial management.
Beyond affordable next-generation cloud solutions, with Annexa, nonprofits get the benefit of our extensive industry experience across design, implementation and delivery of leading practices and solutions that will take your organisation to the next level.
To speak with a sales consultant about our nonprofit cloud solutions, call 1300 994 550 or email sales@annexa.com.au
Annexa helps not-for-profit organisations to amplify their impact with custom NetSuite systems that enable sophisticated budget forecasting and planning, financial reporting, payroll solutions and customer relationship management.