One of the best ways to ensure that your NFP’s donations are being put to their best possible use is to find ways to increase efficiency in your NFP’s operations and reduce its costs. The following is a list of the top five ways that Cloud based technologies can support your NFP’s daily operations and activities.

1. Cloud based technologies free up capital, as NFPs need fewer platforms, such as expensive computers and servers, on which to store and access their records and other data.

Rather than having to go to the expense of printing out volumes of paperwork, such as handbooks, guides, and policies, the NFP’s records can be updated and accessed instantly when they are created and stored in the cloud. This improves access to these records, but can also have unexpected benefits.

An example of this is the fact that storing the NFPs records in the cloud allows the NFP to spend less time and money training staff or bringing board members up to speed on various topics, such as the NFP’s current finances.

2. Updating software is faster and cheaper when its cloud based. Users have instant access to the latest versions of software, and no longer have to wait on downloads. Faster, easier updates mean less downtime and IT costs.

If it’s a program you use infrequently, you can often find a free or low cost version of it in the cloud as well. They can also add and drop software licenses as needed, further reducing costs.

3. Cloud based technologies allow NFPs to be able to collaborate more easily with a broader range of people. With the cloud, NFPs can call in specialists from anywhere in the world to help them with projects. This makes it easier to manage the NFP and to ensure that people are matched with projects and tasks based on their talents and qualifications to increase productivity and lower cost.

Combined with mobile technology, the cloud also ensures that the NFP’s work can still be done, whether or not team members are working in “the field” in their service community or in the office.

4. The cloud allows NFPs to connect and build relationships more easily with donors, volunteers, staff members, and members of the service community, regardless of where they are located in the world.

Cloud based programs and apps make it easier than ever for NFPs to connect and stay in touch via traditional forms such as email, newsletters and surveys as well as newer ways to build relationships, such as social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

5. Since everything is stored in the cloud, activities such as research, planning or even designing your NFPs next fund raising drive can all be completed in less time and with less hassle and aggravation, as all of the figures that you need can be called upon with the few clicks of a mouse.

With statistics and other data of interest to your NFP are instantly available, NFPs have greater flexibility to adjust to changing conditions that could potentially affect their NFP’s service level, such as an unexpected loss of funding, or a sudden disaster that affects the needs in their service community.

If most of the members of your NFP have easy access to an Internet connection and a platform such as a computer, laptop or smartphone that has a web browser, transitioning to the cloud might just be the answer that you’ve been searching for to increase productivity, lower costs and improve management and oversight for your NFP!