Benefits of Managed IT Services for Nonprofits

Lack of funding, arguably, is one of the biggest challenges for nonprofits. Tight budgets mean nonprofits may not have enough to invest in new technology or fully optimize their existing systems.

Due to budget, resource, or time constraints, many nonprofits may continue to run outdated software. This can make it hard for a nonprofit’s staff or volunteers to efficiently perform day-to-day tasks. Besides operational challenges, outdated software also poses security risks, which can compromise confidential information such as donors’ data.

Nonprofits may have limited in-house technical expertise, which can make it challenging to keep up with technological advancements, such as AI, as well as maintain, upgrade, and support existing software.

Nonprofits may have limited in-house technical expertise, which can make it challenging to keep up with technological advancements, such as AI, as well as maintain, upgrade, and support existing software. Nonprofits often collect and store confidential data from volunteers, donors, or the communities they serve. Lean budgets or limited technological expertise can make data security a challenge for nonprofits. They may not have the resources to implement the necessary software or security programs to maximize data protection or ensure backups, leaving them vulnerable to cyber incidents or data loss.

Due to lean budgets or a skills gap, many nonprofits struggle to adapt to digital fundraising, remote work, and other demands of an evolving technological landscape. Remote work, for instance, needs robust collaboration tools and secure cloud-based platforms, which many nonprofits lack. Similarly, online fundraising is essential today, but nonprofits with outdated systems may struggle to engage donors and expand their outreach.

Managed IT services is the answer to one of the primary tech challenges that nonprofits face: lean budgets. Most managed service providers offer monthly service packages, giving your nonprofit access to a team of tech experts at a more affordable, predictable cost. This is a cost-effective alternative to hiring and managing an in-house IT team.

Nonprofits often collect and handle sensitive information, which makes data security an important priority. If your data is compromised in a security breach, this can deter prospective donors and volunteers from getting involved with your nonprofit. Managed IT service providers can implement tools like firewalls, threat detection and response systems, and encryption to harden your tech infrastructure. They can also regularly monitor your IT systems, implement security patches, and upgrade outdated software. All of this can help to enhance your nonprofit’s security programs and maintain compliance with data protection regulations.

MSPs can close the technical skills gap in your organization. You can lean on your MSP for technological guidance and implementation support to ensure your nonprofit is able to leverage a robust tech stack. Then, they can offer continued infrastructure monitoring, upgrade, and helpdesk support to ensure your systems run smoothly and minimize downtime. This means your nonprofit can focus on strategy, expansion, and impact without having to worry about solving technical issues.

For instance, your MSP can recommend and implement modern collaboration tools, such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint, so your employees can stay connected in a hybrid workplace.

Besides an extensive product portfolio, few MSPs, like GraVoc, also offer robust services. These include cybersecurity, digital marketing, and ERP/CRM implementation, to help your nonprofit streamline online fundraising and enhance digital engagement with donors and volunteers.

Along with data security, MSPs also have the expertise and tools to ensure your nonprofit’s data is properly stored and backed up in the cloud. This robust approach to data management supports not only compliance with data protection regulations but also provides a critical safety net for data recovery and business continuity in the event of unexpected disruptions like data breaches, natural disasters, or system failures.