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NGOs and tech tools are now a partnership designed for success. All NGOs (big and small) need to onboard tech tools that make life easier, focused, and give a leg up to the work that is changing lives , communities and us. To help NGOs determine which tools are a 'given', we have compiled a dossier and shared it below.
Below is a list of tech tools all NGOs must have in their tech stack:
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Email software. Though most people especially the younger lot are going off emails and obituaries are being written for them, we would still say that emails are a great form of communication & outreach. It is an effective tool for all NGOs to create awareness on their services, reach out to donors, and engage with their stakeholders. Therefore, it is important NGOs use one of the many emails software currently available in the market. These include the popular ones such as Mailchimp, Constant contact, Mailerlite and Hubspot. Do ensure that once you have acquired this software, only clean and accurate email Ids are fed into the platform so that there is no issue with bouncing emails which impact your performance. Plus, it's always good to keep cleaning up your contacts as people quit or die and companies close/open. It's always good to keep getting updates and changing them on the software.
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Customer Relationship Management or CRM. For all NGOs in order to engage and keep their donors and other stakeholders, a good and customisable CRM is a handy ally. With many CRMs in the market, Salesforce CRM is still the preferred option. Salesforce CRM is simple to use and can be customised as per all needs of the specific NGO. A CRM ensures that all leads, donors and others are nurtured throughout their journey and work becomes more streamlined & goal oriented.
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A communication tool. Ensure smooth communication and collaboration internally and with external parties with a handy communication software like Slack. Ensure that there are no silos between departments and all communication is in one place, be it emails, video calls, instant messaging and so on. Communication gaps and losses don't affect the hard work being done by the NGO. Share documents, make calls and open focussed channels of communication. Slack is part of Salesforce universe and is the right communication tool for all to have in their kitty.
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Analytics tool. It may seem far fetched for an NGO to have a software for analytics like Google analytics or Tableau among many others. It is said that every brand that has a website should invest in an analytics tool. You can track various activities and their successes. This includes donors & donations as well as volunteer registration. Resource capacity being an issue for the NGOs, such a software solves such challenges. Knowledge of what is working and what is not, the highs and lows can help relevant departments to get their act together and deliver better.
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Social media channels. Be everywhere and spread the good word. Be it Instagram, snapchat, Facebook or twitter. Put out honest, heartfelt, engaging and relevant posts with good quality pics & videos. Drive traffic and keep them hooked. Being on these platforms is free and helps to spread your good work across geographies. Reach out to donors abroad and let the funds roll in.
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About the Author
Mohit Sharma
Mohit is Practice Lead, 15x Certified Salesforce Consultant, Salesforce trainer, blogger, writer, and full-time husband. With over 8 years of experience implementing Salesforce, and an obsession for innovation, ready to tackle any new project that comes his way.
