Nonprofit Tech Trends in Monterey County

By Tom Conway

In 2005 there was no Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.  This was the year that the Nonprofit Alliance of Monterey County (NAMC) commissioned an economic impact study of nonprofits in Monterey County.  Now, 10 short years later, new technologies are used by 80% of county nonprofits to contact and serve constituents, to publicize activities, and to remain in regular contact. This, from the study released in 2014: For the Common Good – Report of the Impact of Our Nonprofits on Monterey County. 

The report also highlights that nearly two-thirds of the respondents report that they use social media for fundraising activities. Top media platforms include websites (92%), email (89%), Facebook (80%), print newsletters (45%), Telephone (27%) and Twitter (25%)

In the third Lunch-and-Learn in the series (following sessions on social and environmental impacts), NAMC invited a distinguished panel of local experts from Alvarez Technology Group (ATG) and Digital Nest to addressing the technological impacts.  Luis Alvarez, of ATG and Jacob Martinez of Digital Nest shared with the nearly 30 attendees their insights and expertise related to the impacts identified in the 2014 report.

Luis stressed the importance for nonprofits (any agency, really) to “have a technology strategy in place so that you can address your mission appropriately given the tools at your disposal.”  Some things that should be addressed in any technology strategy include the use of social media; security and mobility among others.  Jacob stressed the “need to develop a highly skilled workforce in our local communities.”  Jacob’s organization, Digital Nest offers youth and young adults professional training so that they are both ready for higher education and available to work at businesses in our community at affordable rates. 

The issue of social media was one of the biggest question-generators for the audience.  For nonprofits (and again, for anyone, really), the key is to make information accessible and timely.  In The Millenial Impact Report released by the Case Foundation, 60% of respondents liked it most when nonprofits shared stories of successful projects or the people they help.  Additionally, digital multimedia needs to be integrated into any marketing/fundraising strategy.

In closing, when asked to predict what technology trend we will be looking at 10 years from now, Luis responded with a statistic that predicts that “70% of jobs in 2025 don’t even exist today!”  Nonprofits can certainly expect that the way we do things in 2015 will change over the next 10 years.  The good news is that millennials, who are already emerging as leaders in technology and other industries and will comprise 75 percent of the global workforce by 2025, and they want to work for organizations that foster innovative thinking, develop their skills, and make a positive contribution to society.  We need to grow and build on that!