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Leveraging Technology to Enhance Cost Efficiencies and Impact for Nonprofit Volunteer Programs

Menchie Khairuddin September 8, 2023

4 min read

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, nonprofit organisations are harnessing the power of technology to drive cost efficiencies and amplify their impact on society.

While nonprofits have always been committed to making a difference in their respective causes, the integration of cutting-edge technology is now enabling them to operate more effectively, allocate resources efficiently and reach a wider audience.

In a study conducted by Volunteering Australia, you can see a dramatic drop in the number of formal volunteers in Australia (see Figure 1). As a result, organisations are looking for new and exciting ways to engage with their volunteer workforce.

Figure 1: The Decline of Formal Volunteering in Australia (2001–2020): Insights from the HILDA Survey

NFPs and charities are embracing technology like Rosterfy’s Volunteer Management Software to drive cost efficiencies, scale workforce programs and magnify their impact within their communities. As the most flexible and scalable platform in the market, Rosterfy helps nonprofit volunteer programmes by cutting down on administrative work, whilst enhancing and streamlining the experience for their volunteers

Technology is not just a means to reduce costs; it’s a catalyst for innovation and effectiveness, allowing NFPs to create lasting change in the world. Here are six ways you can leverage technology to make a bigger impact with your volunteer program:

1. Data Analytics for Informed Decision-Making

One of the most significant advancements in recent years is the use of data analytics in nonprofit organisations. NFPs are collecting and analysing data to gain insights into their operations, donor behaviour and the return on investment of their programmes. With Rosterfy, each volunteer has a central record created on their behalf, allowing NFPs to keep track of volunteers’ contributions with regards to their time and fundraising.

With the ability to integrate with leading CRMS including Blackbaud and Salesforce and Fundraising Platforms including GivenGain, Rosterfy provides nonprofits with an incredible overview of the value that volunteers deliver not just in relation to their time but their fundraising as well.

Through the use of data collected using digital tools, nonprofits can measure the outcomes of their programmes, demonstrating accountability to donors, stakeholders and the public. This transparency builds trust and confidence in the organisation, leading to increased support and funding opportunities.

2. Cloud Computing for Scalability and Safety

Cloud computing has revolutionised the way nonprofits manage their IT infrastructure. Gone are the days of paper forms and Excel spreadsheets. Cloud services provide cost-effective solutions that eliminate the need for expensive hardware and in-house IT staff. Through systems like Rosterfy, nonprofits can safely store their data on AWS, cloud-based secure servers ensuring that their data remains safe and secure. This flexibility not only saves money but also allows nonprofits to adapt quickly to changing circumstances, such as the increased demand for services during crises.

3. Thorough Screening and Onboarding to Ensure Compliance

Nonprofit organisations typically interact with some of the most vulnerable groups within a community. With budgets and resources tighter than ever, it’s next to impossible to thoroughly screen and onboard volunteers without embracing technology to do so.

From background checks, to working with children’s checks and reference checks, systems like Rosterfy’s Onboarding features allow nonprofits to automatically capture important screening information during registration, stored centrally against a volunteer’s record.

British Heart Foundation (BHF) is a nonprofit dedicated to the prevention and treatment of heart and circulatory diseases. With over 700 retail stores and over 11,000 volunteers, BHFenlisted Rosterfy to provide a more modern and engaging experience for their workforce as well as streamline efficiencies for their administrators.

In addition to this, keeping compliant and ensuring no volunteer starts a shift without the necessary checks made is vitally important to them.

“For referencing alone, Rosterfy saves us around 15 minutes per applicant, representing a significant time saving across the volunteering functions” – Sue George, Volunteer Development and Systems Manager at British Heart Foundation

To read the full British Heart Foundation and Rosterfy case study, click here.

4. Online Fundraising and Crowdsourcing

The rise of online fundraising platforms and crowdsourcing has transformed the way NFPs raise funds. Through websites, social media and dedicated fundraising platforms, nonprofits can reach a global audience and secure donations more efficiently. By streamlining the fundraising process, lowering administrative costs, and optimising donation alternatives to make them easier to navigate and more accessible.

5. Maximize Engagement with Communication

Prioritising engagement with your volunteers is critical for a successful nonprofit volunteer program and a great way to do this is through communications.

One of the biggest ways technology has changed our lives is through communication. We now receive messages by email, text message and even through our social media platforms and we’re demanding it all in the palm of our hand.

Volunteer management systems like Rosterfy enable nonprofits to automatically send communications whether that’s a welcome email, SMS reminder or even a ‘Happy Birthday’ message in the portal. By keeping volunteers in the know and celebrating their milestones, goes a long way in creating a positive culture of volunteering.

6. Make Your Program Stand Out

With so many nonprofits competing for volunteers, ensuring that your volunteer program is user-friendly, engaging and rewarding is essential to filling your volunteer opportunities each week.

Many nonprofits are implementing systems like Rosterfy’s Reward and Recognition programs to help incentivise volunteering with hours volunteered being rewarded with prizes, incentives and merchandise.

Nonprofit organisations are increasingly recognising that technology is not just a luxury but a necessity in today’s world. By embracing data analytics, cloud computing, online fundraising, virtual collaboration, social media and impact measurement tools, NFPs are driving cost efficiencies while making a more significant impact on their causes. As technology continues to evolve, nonprofits must stay adaptable and innovative to remain at the forefront of positive change in our society. By doing so, they can maximise their resources and enhance their ability to address pressing social issues effectively.

To learn more about how Rosterfy can help your nonprofit embrace technology, take a look at their website.

Menchie Khairuddin

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Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.