{"id":7854,"date":"2020-02-19T14:45:08","date_gmt":"2020-02-19T14:45:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teamheller.com\/?p=7854"},"modified":"2020-10-01T19:48:01","modified_gmt":"2020-10-01T19:48:01","slug":"2020-nonprofit-technology-trends-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teamheller.com\/resources\/blog\/2020-nonprofit-technology-trends-update","title":{"rendered":"2020 Nonprofit Technology Trends Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

2019 was a dynamic year for nonprofit technology. Most notably, we saw a continued high level of activity by commercial companies in the sector, opening the way for new choices and more powerful solutions for nonprofits.<\/p>\n

This year is shaping up to be an exciting ride as well. Microsoft is making big moves into the nonprofit tech space, while Blackbaud and Salesforce consider adjustments to their approach in the sector.<\/p>\n

Here is a closer look at the early 2020 trends, plus some key areas to watch in coming months:<\/p>\n


\nMicrosoft<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Microsoft\u2019s Technology for Social Impact (TSI)<\/a> team is picking up momentum with a considered approach to how they enter the market and adapt Microsoft solutions for nonprofits. Some of us from Team Heller recently participated in one of TSI\u2019s Advisory Steering Team meetings. What we learned: They have substantial plans for their Nonprofit Accelerators and Common Data Model for Nonprofits<\/a>, which allow Microsoft application partners to quickly adapt Microsoft\u2019s commercial solutions to nonprofits\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n

This is intriguing, with the possibility of significant change to the nonprofit technology landscape.\u00a0 However, one thing that remains to be seen is how much nonprofit-specific functionality Microsoft will build themselves, and how much will be left to product partners to build. In the commercial sector, Microsoft typically pushes industry-specific development work through its partner network. This approach does not necessarily translate to the nonprofit sector, as there are not nearly as many partners that serve nonprofits as there are for the commercial sector.<\/p>\n

Another consideration: Microsoft has committed to getting their technology into the hands of 300,000 nonprofits. While they\u2019ve made considerable strides through their offers and kits for small- and medium-sized nonprofits,<\/a> their goal may prove challenging if TSI needs to be financially self-sufficient.\u00a0 The nonprofit sector is economically \u201clopsided,\u201d with a small percentage of the 1.5 million U.S. nonprofits accounting for the vast majority of the sector\u2019s total revenue. To fund nonprofit product development, Microsoft will have to make solutions that larger nonprofits will buy, but those same products likely will not meet the unique needs of smaller nonprofits.<\/p>\n

Salesforce has run head-long into this issue, with their Nonprofit Success Pack challenged to span the entire sector. Blackbaud\u2019s approach has been to have a plethora of offerings to address different sized nonprofits. How will Microsoft meet their goal while balancing the needs of both the small higher end and sizable lower end of the market?<\/p>\n

The bottom line is that Microsoft holds great potential for the sector with incredible technology, global reach, and brand recognition. Yet, to reach their ambitious goals, they will need to overcome the unique challenges the sector presents to technology companies.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Want more on Microsoft, Blackbaud, and Salesforce? Download our latest free guide: Survival of the Nimblest<\/a> today. \"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Blackbaud<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Blackbaud\u2019s initial response to Microsoft\u2019s entry into the nonprofit tech marketplace has been promising. They have begun to build prototypes of apps on Microsoft\u2019s Power Platform<\/a>. These \u201cPower Apps\u201d can leverage data from various Microsoft solutions, such as Office, Teams, and Dynamics, to expand the capabilities of Blackbaud products.<\/p>\n

Because multiple Blackbaud products are built on Microsoft platform technology, this initial work represents tremendous possibilities. However, some questions remain to be answered:<\/p>\n