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Tech Tools for Nonprofits - Communicating More Effectively

Communication should be a main focus of every organization. Without properly established lines of communication, important information can easily get lost in translation. How does your organization communicate with employees on a daily basis? For most companies this day in age, the most common form of intra-organization communication is email. Moreover, with the ever increasing popularity of smart phones that enable users to check email remotely 24 hours a day, face-to-face communication is, sadly, becoming a thing of the past. While every nonprofit has a bottom line to consider, management staff should never lose sight of the importance of using technology to more efficiently facilitate the flow of information between members of the organization. Despite the many free or low cost tools that exist today, resources to increase intra-organization communication are often overlooked. A quick Internet search returns hundreds of results for these types of tools. However, weeding out the good from the bad can be a lengthy and somewhat frustrating process. To get your search started in the right direction, offered below are a few free or inexpensive tools that can help promote effective communication in the workplace.

Communication Within Your Organization: Email, Chat, Shared Docs, and More

Google for Nonprofits - Email and Beyond: If your nonprofit is looking for a way to improve internal operations, engage supporters and promote your cause - then Google for Nonprofits is right for you. This program offers functionality, flexibility and many valuable tools that help to increase communication and collaboration between members of the workplace. What's included?

Free or discounted version of Google Apps for your organization - Nonprofits with fewer than 3,000 users are eligible for the free version of Google Apps. Organizations with more than 3,000 users receive a 40% discount on Google Apps for Business. Gain access to the following with Google Apps:

Gmail - A leading email service offering 7 GB of storage per email account. Easy to use and even offers the ability to have email accounts on your organization's domain.

Google Calendar - Increase productivity and streamline workflow by assigning and tracking group and individual tasks through Google Calendar. Use Google Calendar to create company-wide sharable calendars to coordinate meetings, set calendar reminders for pending "to-do" tasks, and communicate more effectively with team members.

Google Docs - Google Docs is cloud-based word processor and file sharing application that enables users to create, share, and store files in "the cloud." It's an easy and efficient way to collaborate with team members. Google Docs allows you to set up folders and even control privacy settings so that only those who you want to "share" the file with have access to it. The best part is there is no software to install, no additional hardware necessary, and no files to back up. Access your files from anywhere - at home, in the office, or on your smart phone - 24 hours a day.

Google Chat - Need to have a quick conversation with a team member? Google Chat is perfect for doing just that. With text chat, you can send instant messages to co-workers and even send and receive files. For times when a face-to-face conversation is necessary, Google Chat has a handy video chat feature.

Other great resources - Google AdWords, YouTube for Nonprofits, Google Earth Outreach Grants. Be sure to check out the eligibility criteria to see if your nonprofit qualifies for this great opportunity.

BigMarker - Free Web Conferencing Tool: BigMarker is a free online tool for web conferencing. There are no restrictions on time or group size. Users can chat via voice/instant message and share desktop views, PDFs, and/or Word documents on conference participants' screens. All that's necessary is an internet-accessible computer, a microphone, and speakers.

Microsoft Software Grants - Discounted Software and More:Another important piece of the puzzle to improving intra-office communication is software continuity. Increase office productivity and efficiency by ensuring that all office computers are running the same version of the same software programs. By doing so, you will ensure that all documents are easily accessible to everyone within the organization. Purchasing software programs can get quite expensive, especially for nonprofits on a tight budget. To help reduce the financial burden on nonprofit organizations, Microsoft offers free and low-cost software and even software donations. Your organization may be eligible to receive popular programs like Microsoft Office, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SharePoint and more for free or a at discounted rate. Click here to learn more about this program.https://ozobot.com/blog/27-tech-tools-teachers-can-use-to-inspire-classroom-creativity