ABSTRACT
In a nonprofit context, information technology (IT) capabilities can add value to organizations’ mission-focused work and increase their potential to connect with and serve their constituencies. This entry presents factors that influence nonprofit organizations’ adoption and use of tools and strategies of IT, followed by a discussion of current trends in nonprofit technology use. The status of worldwide Internet connectivity, increased access to constituents, and increasing data manipulation and transmission capabilities allow nonprofits to harness the power of instant, global data transmission through technology portability, knowledge management, stakeholder engagement, constituent relationship management, and data-driven decision-making practices. Although nonprofit organizations can benefit from the integration of IT with their processes and activities, challenges often surface. The presence of a digital divide among those who can and cannot access technology, resource struggles, as well as staff and time constraints, reactive vs. proactive management, lack of effective security protocols, leadership deficits, and reluctance to incorporate technology into organizational strategic planning can limit the extent to which technology adds value to mission-focused work. Adopting and using technology strategically, in alignment with overall organizational strategy, can help organizations increase efficiency, effectiveness, and achievement of mission-focused outcomes. Best practices for assessing IT/mission alignment are presented, along with the criteria that contribute to increased IT/mission alignment maturity. Suggestions for further reading are included.
