Nonprofits are vital to thriving communities. Big cities, small towns, and neighborhoods depend upon nonprofits to provide much-needed services to residents. And, like their for-profit counterparts, nonprofit organizations face big challenges when it comes to how they operate and how successful they are.
The Council of Nonprofits lists implementing strategy as one of the top five issues nonprofits deal with today. Like all businesses, nonprofits that have a well thought out strategy are more likely to accomplish their goals than organizations without a strategic plan. These strategies must consider the organization’s mission fulfillment and their ability to meet the needs of the community. It also needs to include operational steps that need to be taken to be more efficient and effective.
In a diverse city like Atlanta with the demand for services increasing faster than can be accommodated, nonprofits must rely on technology to further their missions and attain goals. And, as one of the top 5 up-and-coming tech meccas in the nation according to Forbes, Atlanta is home to some of America’s most talented tech companies. This gives Atlanta-area nonprofits a real advantage, if they have the right managed IT services provider (MSP) working with them.
A partner who does more than fix your computers and install new networks is someone that looks with you towards the future at how technology can help you reach your goals, expand your capacity to serve more community members or recover from funding losses.
Here are 5 questions to ask yourself to find out if your IT provider is a valuable, strategic partner that is an ally in moving your organization towards furthering your mission:
- Do you have a technology strategy and budget that are aligned with your organizational goals? This is how you’re going to get from where you are now to meeting your objectives in the future.
- Do you have an information life cycle policy? This policy governs how you use the data you’ve created, who has access to your data, how your data is stored, how you retrieve data and how long you retain data.
- Do you have a technology roadmap that outlines your current and future technology needs and catalogs your digital assets?
- If attacked by ransomware, would you have to pay? If your data is adequately backed up, regularly verified and test restored by your IT provider, the answer is no.
- How long would it take to get up and running again if your systems and/or data were destroyed or breached? The answer should be minimal; but if you’re not with the right provider, there could be protracted downtime.
If solid technology is necessary to accomplish your mission, then your IT provider needs to be strategic, proactive and protective of your digital assets. They need to be a partner in your mission, caring for your technology so you can care for your client base.
At Integris, we have vast experience working with high-growth nonprofit agencies. With a heavy emphasis on developing and aligning strategy, we apply best practices from nonprofit and for-profit businesses to help agencies grow and expand their ability to provide services.
“We love working with nonprofits. Our experience in working with nonprofit organizations like the Atlanta Humane Society, A Partnership for Domestic Violence and Agape means we understand the technology solutions designed to meet their unique needs.”
– Hamish Davidson, Integris President/CEO
Integris has a 100% retention rate among nonprofit clients. 501(c)3 organizations receive our premium, fully managed IT services at a significantly discounted rate. If your nonprofit isn’t getting trusted, strategic direction from its MSP, contact Integris online or at 404-551-5492.
