Technology GOVERNANCE

Board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound ethical and legal governance, maintaining strong financial management, and ensuring the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.  (NCN)

Technology governance is an emerging field that addresses the growing importance of technology in society. It extends the foundation of financial and legal oversight to technology, recognizing that organizations need sound and ethical technical policies, clear and contextually appropriate counsel on technology choices, and access to the tech resources they need to advance their mission.

Cybersecurity attacks on nonprofits are increasing 17% a year. 

Nonprofits host personally identifiable information of everyone from donors to their clients. This creates security, legal and ethical risks that require governance oversight.

How is the board ensuring the organization's data is safe and being used ethically and in compliance with the law?

Tech savvy nonprofits are four times more likely to achieve their missions.

Technology is critical to increasing a nonprofit's efficiency, and both measuring and maximizing its impact. Nonprofits license technology for everything from communication to fundraising to HCM to volunteer management. They also often develop their own software to deliver and monitor their services to the community. 

How is the board ensuring the organization is optimizing its use of technology and leveraging resources most efficiently to make the greatest possible impact in the community? 

Nonprofits spend 33% as much of their budget on tech as companies.

Nonprofit boards are responsible for ensuring that their organization has the resources to deliver on their mission. This includes not only cash but skilled volunteers, the right hires, and carefully chosen product donations.  

How is a board identifying the tech resources they need, from vendors to advisory to staff, and leveraging their networks to find them?

Only 11% of nonprofits report they are keeping up with technology.

Technology is changing rapidly, changing the range of tools nonprofits engage to deliver programs, measure impact, manage teams, and raise funds. It is also changing the lives of the people they serve and the communities in which they operate. 

How is the board tracking changes in technology to decide what to embrace or change--and what to leave behind--to ensure a sustained impact?