Digitization is an opportunity for a Non profit organization

For non-profit organizations, digitization is both an opportunity and a challenge. On the one hand, offer them digital technologies completely new possibilities, e.g. to promote civil society engagement with beneficiaries to interact, network worldwide and make their own work more effective and effective.

On the other hand Non profit organizations must change themselves profoundly if they take the opportunities of digitization for themselves want to use and adequately address social change. You shouldn't just deal with the (New) technologies change, but also be ready to change their own organizational structures and processes, their culture and working methods as well as their orientation and strategy are rigorously put to the test.

The present study examines awareness of the need for change as well as the ability to change in Non-profit sector with a view to digitization. She wants to show what support nonprofits need to better assess the opportunities of digitization and use them positively. This was done in the summer of 2017 more than 160 employees of non-profit organizations interviewed online and by phone.

Changes in the non-profit sector through digitization

• In the non-profit sector, digitization is often equated with the use of digital tools, especially in the area of Public relations (social medias) and for the completion of administrative tasks. The results of the survey show that the majority of the respondents (71%) will strongly or very strongly reduce their own organization in the coming years sees these changes affected.

• In our opinion, many respondents underestimate the importance of structural and procedural changes. Changes for your own organization that are triggered by digitalization. This includes the development of new ones Organizational forms in the non-profit sector, but also the way in which donor behavior or voluntary work Engagement will change in the coming years.

• Around 70% of those surveyed consider it possible to use digital tools to perform administrative tasks (such as membership or Donation management), which is very relevant for your organization. However, only a quarter of the Organizations well prepared for this development. There is obviously still a considerable need for action here.

• It is also very clear that around half of all organizations still have some catching up to do, volunteers over Coordinate digital channels better, use new fundraising channels for themselves, or their offers to beneficiaries to optimize the basis of impact analysis.

• Overall, the fundamental change caused by digitization should be in the overarching strategy of non-profits play an important role. Digitization is a relevant factor on the strategic agenda.

• It is striking that small and young organizations are much more active in tackling upcoming changes than they are
large and established. Here it makes sense to engage more in the exchange and learn from each other.