Grants for nonprofits to implement technology

It goes without saying that technology— used well —can be hugely powerful for nonprofits and NGOs. Whether it's data analytics, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, or digital communication tools, the tech solutions that are right for your organization can improve efficiency, enhance donor engagement, and amplify service delivery. 

Of late, I have been particularly excited by ways in which automations can be set up in an organization’s email marketing platform, so that when anyone signs up for your newsletter they automatically get an email once a week for the next three weeks sharing first about the problem your organization is solving, then about a story of impact you made possible, and finally, about how they can get involved. 

But I also know from (painful) personal experience that when an NGO tries to implement the wrong technology, it feels like a monster on your back. This is what happened at the NGO I worked at for years, when we tried to go from 35 years without any CRM to going all in designing and implementing Salesforce for our organization. Identifying and implementing the right-fit tech often requires both expertise and resources. 

Enter technology grants for nonprofits.

If you are part of an organization looking for money to get some tech in place, this blog post is for you. We'll explore the world of technology grants for nonprofits, I´ll share some of my favorite ones, and I´ll give you tips for getting this funding.

Understanding technology grants for nonprofits

Nonprofit tech grants are funding opportunities specifically aimed at helping organizations adopt or enhance their tech capabilities. These grants can cover a range of needs, including:

• Purchasing software or hardware.

• Implementing cloud-based solutions.

• Training staff on new technologies.

• Supporting innovative tech-driven projects.

Some prominent examples of technology grants for nonprofits include:

• The Google Ad Grants program, offering free advertising credits. A few insights on making sure the time you invest creating your Google Ad campaigns with these free credits actually brings you results: 

1. Expertise is required to create a campaign that ranks well and thus gets views. So I highly recommend you get a professional Google Ad marketer to probono create and manage your Google Ad account. You can advertise this opportunity in one of the public Facebook groups for Google Ad Managers, and if your experience is at all like mine a number of years ago, you will find people happy to use their skills to make a difference. Plus, you won´t have to dedicate precious staff time to learning the platform or doing the ongoing campaign management. 

2. Because the credits can only be used for text ads, not the more popular and attractive image ads, you need a really well-targeted campaign to get clicks. In other words, if your organization is not well known, creating ads that ask for donations probably won´t bring in any donations. Instead, think about the people who are already looking for specific opportunities with your cause. Maybe they are looking for volunteering opportunities and you can advertise volunteering opportunities with your organization. Or maybe you are well known in your community and you create an ad campaign for your end-of-year fundraising drive and target it just to people in your zip code. 

• The Charity Design Co, offers a grant called “WebWish” where they revamp nonprofits’ websites for free if the nonprofit does not have a professional online presence. You must have 501(c)3 registration to be eligible.

• Verizon offers grants covering IT-related costs, like computer hardware, software, data, or networks. 

• Core support / operating / unrestricted grants: Call them what you will, I too often see organizations use non-project specific funding for projects. Projects are the easiest thing to get funded, instead think about your tech, training and other non-project needs and use this money for that. 

By the way, did you know that Microsoft and many others offer discounted or free software to nonprofits? It’s not grants, per se, but I couldn’t not mention it! TechSoup and Money Path have put together very comprehensive lists of online platforms and tech solutions that offer discounts for nonprofits—maybe you are already using some and didn´t realize there was a discount you could access.

(Photo by Desola Lanre-Ologun on Unsplash)

How to secure these technology grants for nonprofits

Some of the opportunities above (ex. Google Ad Grants) don’t require submitting a grant proposal, you just submit your paperwork and if you qualify, you get it. 

For those that do require submitting a grant proposal, there are some nuances when it comes to writing grants for technology. First, make sure you have the basics down (check out my free masterclass if you haven’t already! As well as my blog post on finding the perfect funders for you and my blog post on keeping track of all your grants research). Then, here are some of the key nuances:

1. Define your technology needs

Before applying for grants, clarify what tech solutions your organization requires. Is it a new CRM system, upgraded hardware, or a mobile app? Be specific about how the technology will solve problems or enhance your impact.

2. Craft a compelling narrative

Explain how the technology aligns with your mission, addresses a pressing need, and will be sustainable long-term. Be as specific and practical as possible. Speak to how it will catalyze your impact, even if indirectly. 

3. Break down your budget

Transparency is critical. Clearly outline the costs associated with the technology, including purchase, implementation, training, and maintenance. Please don’t outline every penny (that encourages donors to micromanage, and distracts them from the big picture), but do bucket your budget into these 4 categories. And ensure your budget aligns with the grant’s funding scope.

4. Highlight your capacity

Funders want to invest in organizations that can successfully execute projects. Showcase your team’s expertise in driving impact broadly, and your ability to adopt the technology specifically.

How to make sure you are successful with your nonprofit tech grant

Indulge me for a moment and let me step outside the pure “fundraising blog post” for a moment and add one other piece of advice. As someone who not only ran fundraising for NGOs for years but also ran NGO projects, I want to strongly encourage you to bring in an expert whenever possible. Technology is complicated and is now evolving at a pace that is incredibly difficult to keep up with. If possible, don’t try to figure it out alone—ask similar-sized NGOs what tech they most love. 

Or find someone whose job it is to keep up with tech and get their insight. If you do this, please please please make sure that person truly understands your organization and what tech would be the right fit for you. Because what is best for a 2000-person NGO is not best for a 20-person NGO. (In fact, same goes for all types of experts— you need, and deserve, it to be right fit for your organization.)

Off you go!

Are you ready to take the next step? Explore available grants, get clear on your tech needs and goals, and begin crafting your grant proposals today. Technology is the future, and your organization deserves the tools to make a greater impact. If you need a hand with getting really clear on which funders are right for you or writing a really strong grant proposal— reach out! 

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