How Nonprofits Can Benefit from Upgrading IT Equipment in September
Nonprofit organizations rely on the goodwill of donors and federal, state, and local funding to keep the lights on. With increasing financial pressures in an uncertain economic climate, nonprofits need to find smart ways to increase efficiency and accomplish more while reducing costs at the same time.
Enter technology. While IT equipment does have a cost in terms of purchasing, maintenance, and upkeep, the right technology solutions can help nonprofit organizations save money as well as innovate. And right now – this September – may be one of the best times to buy IT equipment.
The Fiscal Year Is Ending at The End of the Month for Many Organizations
For nonprofits whose fiscal year starts on Oct. 1, September is a great time to invest in technology upgrades. At the end of the fiscal year, discretionary funding may be discovered that could be applied to technology purchases. Making such purchases before Sept. 30, 2020, can potentially mean alleviating some tax burden while taking care of important IT needs.
Not-for-profit organizations running on different fiscal years can still benefit from making IT purchases in the fall. As companies start to turn over products to prepare for the next year, equipment such as computers and other technology hardware may be available at good prices.
Furthermore, many companies have been offering COVID-19 coronavirus discounts due to the economic impact of the virus. It may be one of the best times to get a great deal.
At the same time, don’t forget about using managed IT solutions such as managed print services as another way to save on IT hardware costs. Printers, for example, can be leased and managed via managed print services to reduce both equipment and staff costs.
Investment in Systems and Equipment Can Lead to Cost Savings Throughout the Year
Make no mistake, the intersection of technology and nonprofit vision can be a powerful tool for positive change. By using technology in innovative ways, many nonprofits find they can reach more people and have a lot more impact.
But perhaps your nonprofit isn’t looking to change the world through streaming video conferencing or custom apps. That’s OK too. Technology can serve as a foundational tool that enables your organization to do what it does best, whether that means mentoring youth or helping people with heart disease.
In business, there is a saying that you need to spend money to make money. That’s not quite what happens with nonprofit organizations. Rather, the truth is that spending money smartly saves money.
Thus, upgrading outdated IT equipment can end up saving more money in the long run – through less staff time wasted on hassling with broken copier machines, to creating better ways to manage annual fundraising campaigns.
One way in which technology can be used to help nonprofits save money is through compiling and analyzing data. This data shouldn’t just encompass what is happening with donors and volunteers. Through the right kind of systems and setups such as managed print services, nonprofit leadership can monitor equipment usage and consumables such as paper and toner cartridges. This can lead to better management of resources, thus leading to significant cost savings.
Grants Are Available Specifically for Tech Upgrades for Nonprofit Organizations
Grant funding is one way that nonprofit organizations can fund IT equipment upgrades. Typically, it is important to get started early when pursuing grant funding. If you are concerned that it is too late to apply for grants to fund IT equipment purchases for this September, don’t give up.
If you are lucky, you may have existing corporate or foundation donors who might be interested in helping with a quick turnaround to fund September 2020 IT equipment upgrades. Or, perhaps an opportunity will arise – especially with so many organizations wanting to help nonprofits dealing with coronavirus shortfalls. If so, it would be well worth the time to look out for grant applications, perhaps from non-typical sources.
Either way, once this fiscal year has ended, it would be a good idea to continue to pursue grant funding for technology – to help keep your nonprofit organization running smoothly and efficiently.
Technology Upgrades for Nonprofit Organizations
For nonprofit organizations, managing IT in-house can be difficult if not almost impossible. Virginia Business Systems can help nonprofits install, maintain, and upgrade IT equipment, including network systems and multi-function printers. We can also help strategize the right approach to IT, for nonprofits of all sizes.
Virginia Business Systems is a premier provider of high-quality technology solutions for nonprofit organizations. For more information, contact us today.