How Funders Can Leverage Technology to Support BIPOC-led Nonprofits

BIPOC-led nonprofits often provide vital services and resources for marginalized communities, yet they face significant barriers to accessing funding and resources. However, with the right tools, BIPOC-led nonprofits can increase their effectiveness and impact. 

This blog post will discuss how funders can help strengthen and support BIPOC-led nonprofits by leveraging existing and emerging technology.

Using Technology to Better Understand the Needs of BIPOC-led Nonprofits 

First off, funders can utilize technology to gain insight into the needs of BIPOC-led nonprofits. For instance, funders can deploy online surveys to gain deeper insight into their grantees' work and challenges, or they could use technology to identify potential grantees. 

Funders could also gain insights into grantee needs by acquiring data from nonprofit training and resource sites. Knowing which courses or resources are frequently used can help funders stay abreast of nonprofit challenges and trends. 

By leveraging data to understand BIPOC-led organizations' complexities, funders can be empowered to make more equitable decisions in their grantmaking and better support nonprofits where they need it most. 

Benefits of Using Technology to Support BIPOC-led Nonprofits 

Funders can offer efficient technology to BIPOC-led nonprofits to build their capacity, unlocking new resources like training, consulting, and fundraising tools that weren't previously accessible to smaller organizations. Here are some of the ways that technology can support BIPOC-led nonprofits:

• Access to Networks. Many BIPOC-led nonprofits have limited networks. Technology can help expand access to a more extensive and diverse network and provide a gateway to grants and other previously unavailable resources. 

• Tools that Transform. By offering their grantees computer software or access to online resources, funders can make a big difference to their grantees. Nonprofits can spend less time searching for tools and resources, gain access to tools to make marketing and fundraising more efficient and affordable, and devote more time to core, mission-serving activities. 

• Staying Connected. Many communication and project management platforms are available that allow nonprofits to manage their tasks more efficiently and enable them to have teams across different locations. Programs such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Zoom, Trello, Asana, and others are often worth the investment.

How to Help BIPOC-led Nonprofits Successfully Adopt Technology

Adopting new technology can be daunting for nonprofits operating with limited resources and capacity. Funders can help ease the transition of implementing technology by providing support before and throughout the process. Here are some ways funders can assist with the transition. 

• Provide funding for technology infrastructure. BIPOC-led nonprofits may not have the funds to purchase necessary equipment and infrastructure. Funders can help them adopt the technology by providing funding to acquire laptops, smartphones, internet, and other needs.

• Offer training and support. Many BIPOC-led nonprofits may need training or additional staffing to gain expertise on the new technology. Funders can assist by providing training and support services to help organizations become proficient in using new technology.

• Partner with technology specialists. Funders may need to gain the expertise in-house to train their grantees in adopting technology, or they can partner with organizations that specialize in working with nonprofits to provide additional tech support and resources. 

• Prioritize data and security. As organizations adopt new technology, sensitive data must be protected and secure. Funders can provide training and resources to help organizations implement security measures.

• Encourage Collaboration. Funders can encourage BIPOC-led nonprofits to collaborate with other organizations, including those in the technology sector, to share resources and knowledge. 

• Flexibility with Funding. Adopting new modes of operation is a long-term, evolving process. Technology needs and priorities may develop, and funders can be flexible with funding to allow organizations to adapt and respond to changing conditions. 

• Welcome Feedback. Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and every organization's needs are different. Listen, be mindful of cultural barriers, and provide support to help organizations thrive with technology.

How Some Funders Have Led the Way with Tech Solutions for BIPOC-led Nonprofits

Some of philanthropy's most well-regarded funders have already invested in technology solutions to support BIPOC-led nonprofits. They have witnessed what's possible when nonprofits are equipped with transformative tools. Here are some ways they are leading the charge in empowering grantees with technology.

• Provide Effective Communication Tools. Funders have allocated resources to allow nonprofits to invest in platforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, which can help organizations communicate more effectively with staff, volunteers, and stakeholders in real-time.

• Invest in Online Education and Training. Platforms such as Resilia are used to strengthen capacity and provide immensely beneficial training to nonprofit staff, volunteers, and community members. Resilia's services offer training through online videos, 1:1 nonprofit coaching, and peer-to-peer learning.

• Support Virtual Events and Conferencing. Many nonprofits have benefitted from using virtual meeting platforms like Zoom, GoToMeeting, and GoogleMeet to host fundraisers, conferences, and other events to support their missions.

• Provide Online Fundraising, Marketing, and Social Media Tools. With key marketing and fundraising tools, nonprofits can effectively tell their stories and share them through email appeals and social media platforms. Social media is especially effective to build community, garner support, promote events, and share updates with supporters. Adding an online donations portal to these online media platforms, as well as to a nonprofit’s website, can help ensure organizations are able to collect funds from a wide array of donors throughout the year.

The possibilities for technology to transform nonprofits abound, in effect helping to level the playing field between large nonprofits and those at the grassroots level. Funders can amplify their own impact when empowering their nonprofit grantees with the right tools. 

The Resilia Funder Program, with its on-demand coaching and online platform, brings many of the technology solutions described in this post together in one place. This makes it easy for funders to support the capacity-building needs of BIPOC-led and grassroots nonprofits efficiently through a single provider dedicated to serving the philanthropy sector.