How to Use the 2024 Trends Report to Take Your Nonprofit to the Next Level  

In an ever-evolving landscape, nonprofits face unique challenges and opportunities that require strategic insight and innovative solutions. The 2024 The State of Nonprofit Fundraising, Technology and Operations: Impact on Mission Sustainability Report delves into the current state of nonprofits, providing a comprehensive analysis of how organizations are embracing innovation to optimize their operations. This study is crucial for nonprofits looking to enhance their mission-critical drivers of success, including fundraising, technology use, and staffing efficiency.  

For nonprofit leaders, this research offers actionable insights and practical examples of innovation in action. By understanding the trends and strategies highlighted in this study, your organization can identify areas for improvement, leverage new technologies, and refine operational processes all in support of your mission and goals. Whether you’re looking to boost fundraising efforts, streamline staffing, or adopt cutting-edge technology, this research provides the knowledge and tools you need to drive meaningful change and ensure long-term success.   

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn from the sector’s best practices and take your nonprofit to the next level. As you read through the research study, consider the following questions and how your nonprofit compares.   

Nonprofit Sustainability and Funding

Sustainability and funding are crucial for nonprofit organizations as they ensure long-term impact and financial stability, enabling continuous support for their communities and causes. Additionally, consistent funding builds credibility, fosters innovation, and enhances resilience against external challenges, allowing nonprofits to grow and effectively achieve their missions. How does your nonprofit compare to the data in the research study? Where can you improve?  

• How does the amount of revenue sources at your organization compare to the average? 
• What percentage of your funds are designated as restricted and unrestricted?
• Where does your funding come from? 
• What percentage of revenue sources are made up of donations, grants, corporate giving, and events?
• What is the percentage breakdown of your revenue streams (peer-to-peer fundraising, silent auction, text-to-give, etc.)?
• What new funding sources listed in the research study can you pursue?

For additional revenue ideas, download our new 30+ Nonprofit Revenue Sources Workbook.  

Efficiency

Efficiency in time and money is vital for nonprofit organizations because it maximizes the impact of their limited resources, ensuring that more funds and efforts are directed toward their mission rather than overhead costs. This not only enhances the effectiveness of their programs and services but also builds trust with donors and stakeholders, demonstrating responsible and transparent management of resources. Is your nonprofit efficient with time and money?  

• How much time and money do you spend per week on manual data manipulation and processes? Training others on systems, and using redundant systems? Compare it to data on the research study. 
• Review your tech stack. How many tools are you using and how does that number compare to the average across nonprofits? Do your tools require manual processes and redundancies? 
• Does your fundraising platform integrate with accounting systems?  
• Does your technology enable collaboration beyond your immediate development team, and ensure that your finance and executive teams have an up-to-date understanding of funding sources? 
• Does it offer intuitive workflows that eliminate data silos, enabling accurate and simplified reporting and analysis? 

For additional insights, check out our blog on Why Having an All-In-One Software System Benefits You.  

Donor Experience

You may wonder how the donor experience is impacted by technology. Fundraising platforms and nonprofit efficiency are crucial to the donor experience because they streamline the donation process, making it easy and convenient for donors to contribute. Efficient management of funds ensures that a higher percentage of donations directly support the cause, which builds trust and satisfaction among donors, encouraging ongoing support and engagement.  

• Are you offering diverse payment options, like PayPal and Venmo?

• Do you only use a PayPal donate button? How does that affect the journey and your ability to retarget them as donors?  

• When was the last time your fundraising technology was updated? Is your current platform modern and making frequent updates?  

• Are you using nonprofit-specific software for fundraising campaigns and events? Do you use a CRM or donor database that integrates seamlessly with your other tech?  

• What does the donor experience look like for mobile bidding, donating to a peer-to-peer campaign, and receiving a text-to-donate message?   

• Do donors have to search through different web pages or scroll far to find that donate button?  

Incorporating the insights from this study will not only enhance your organization’s efficiency and effectiveness but also position you to thrive in a rapidly changing environment, ensuring sustained impact and growth. View the full research study of insights from Nonprofit leaders, from CEOs to Managers, and understand sustainability and technology within your nonprofit.