Building Your Best Tech Stack
Top Productivity Apps for Nonprofits
In the often overloaded world of nonprofit work, efficiency and organization are crucial. Leveraging the right productivity tools can streamline your operations, saving time and resources while maximizing impact.
Here are some top productivity tools that every nonprofit should consider incorporating into their workflow, along with why I love them and how they can benefit your organization.
1. Project Management
Having a powerful project management tool can help teams stay organized and on track. Even a volunteer board, committee, or solo founder/executive director, needs a system to keep track of all the elements of running a nonprofit organization.
ClickUp: I currently use ClickUp, which I find to be like Asana on steroids. It offers customizable views, time tracking, and goal setting. For nonprofits with many moving pieces, ClickUp can help keep track of both daily tasks and long-term strategies. I recommend loading in annual projects and setting deadlines for each quarter, month, week, and even daily tasks. For example, if you want to call a donor every day, set it as a recurring task. This way, the reminder keeps you accountable and ensures important tasks don't slip through the cracks.
Asana: Even as a team of one, I loved using Asana to keep track of multiple projects and deadlines. It’s user-friendly and helps ensure that nothing gets forgotten. It’s especially useful for small teams working remotely, as it keeps everyone on the same page.
Monday.com: When your board members come from the corporate world and use Monday.com regularly, adapt to their style! This tool is great for tracking every data point of your organization, tasks, and more!
2. Database Management
Airtable combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with the power of a database, making it perfect for managing everything from donor information to event planning.
Airtable is a great option if you're not ready for a full-fledged donor database. You can also use it to collect information. Its form feature can create a database list for you. For instance, if you need to collect sign-ups for an event or sponsorships, create the form in Airtable, and the sponsor information, logos, and contacts go straight into your table for tracking.
3. Automation
Zapier automates repetitive tasks by connecting different apps, allowing you to focus on more strategic activities.
Zapier is a small nonprofit's best friend! It can connect two tech tools that don't usually talk to each other. For example, after a sponsor submits their Airtable form, Zapier can automatically send them a thank-you email and an invoice. The possibilities are endless, making donor stewardship a breeze. If you can imagine it, there is probably a way to automate it with Zapier!
4. Team Communication
Slack is a versatile communication tool that keeps your team connected, whether you're in the office or working remotely. Even for a board of directors, slack can help keep communication and collaboration moving forward and not stuck in an inbox. Plus, with emojis and gif responses, you are adding fun and team-building to the mix. With Slack, you can:
Channels: Organize conversations by channels for different projects or teams.
Integration: Connects with numerous apps like Google Drive, Trello, and Zoom.
File Sharing: Easily share files and documents within channels. Learn more about Slack.
5. Design
Canva is a user-friendly design tool that enables nonprofits to create stunning visuals for social media, presentations, and marketing materials.
Canva offers nonprofits a free pro account, making it a no-brainer! It’s an easy graphic design tool for creating social media posts, flyers, event materials, and more. There’s no reason not to take advantage of this.
6. Email Marketing
Every nonprofit needs a great email system. Mailchimp and Flodesk are excellent tools for managing your email marketing campaigns. Be sure that you take full advantage of whatever system you are using and explore new strategies and techniques as trends emerge.
Mailchimp: It’s very easy to use and has been improving and growing with its customers. It’s the typical go-to for most small nonprofits and offers robust features for email marketing, including automation, analytics, and A/B testing.
Flodesk: While more of a go-to for entrepreneurs, Flodesk has recently rolled out a feature that allows you to automate subscribers' click activity into the following action. For instance, if someone clicks on the donate button in your email but doesn’t complete the donation, you can funnel them into a series of follow-up emails that nurture them toward making a donation. The engagement potential of this technology is very exciting!
Maximizing Your Productivity with the Right Tools
Incorporating these productivity apps can significantly enhance your nonprofit's efficiency and effectiveness. Whether you're managing projects, automating tasks, or designing marketing materials, these tools can help you streamline operations and focus on what truly matters—advancing your mission.
Need Help Implementing Productivity Tools?
At Sprout Fundraising and Consulting, we specialize in helping nonprofits optimize their operations with the right tools and strategies. Schedule a call with us today to see how we can help you streamline your workflow and maximize your impact.
