Insights from the Microsoft Global Nonprofit Leadership Summit
- srini228
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
"During the times of horse and buggy, no one thought to ask for a car."
This quote perfectly captures the transformative era nonprofits are facing today. The world is changing rapidly, and nonprofits must ask the right questions to stay ahead.
Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Microsoft Global Nonprofit Leadership Summit. It was a mind and soul-renewing experience. As a former government funder and program evaluator, I never imagined I’d be the founder of a global technology company partnered with Microsoft. My passion for data-driven insights to drive social change and the realization that nonprofits lacked the technology to harness these insights led me here.
Being surrounded by passionate leaders and innovators dedicated to leveraging technology for social good was truly inspiring. Since not everyone could be in the room, I wanted to share these key takeaways and how your organization can put them into action.
SureImpact: Proud Partner of Microsoft
The conference opened with Microsoft’s Tech for Social Impact hosting a partner breakfast. SureImpact was honored to be listed as one of the innovative technologies offered on the Microsoft Marketplace.
Leaders shared their vision of being the platform that impact-centric companies build their products on. Just as modern-day appliances like washing machines and refrigerators were made possible by the invention of electricity and power plants, the ability for nonprofits to use data strategically to solve social problems and create a more equitable and vibrant world has been revolutionized by AI and cloud-based platforms like Microsoft Azure.
At SureImpact, we are honored to be a part of Microsoft's Tech for Social Impact initiative. SureImpact is a groundbreaking client management platform designed to help nonprofits measure, track, and communicate their impact effectively. By leveraging AI and machine learning, SureImpact provides nonprofits with the tools they need to demonstrate their value and secure funding. Our partnership with Microsoft positions us at the forefront of technological innovation in the nonprofit sector. Together, we are committed to empowering nonprofits with the tools they need to measure and amplify their impact.
Embracing Technology and AI for Equity and Opportunity
One of the key themes of the summit was the transformative power of technology and AI in creating equity and opportunity. Nick Cain, Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, highlighted how machine learning and AI can uncover valuable patterns through data analysis and predictive analytics. However, nonprofits often struggle with funding these innovative technologies.
Implementing a solution like SureImpact helps nonprofits access world-class technology at an affordable price, saving years of research and development. It's like going to an appliance store and buying a washing machine, versus building one from scratch. SureImpact provides a ready-made, powerful platform that enables nonprofits to clearly define the problems they solve and clearly demonstrate to funders how their solutions are the answer to the problems. By doing so, we enable nonprofits to demonstrate their impact and secure the necessary funding.
Addressing Security Challenges in the Nonprofit Sector
Nonprofits are increasingly targeted by cyber threats, with rural organizations and small cities being particularly vulnerable. In 2021, 50% of NGOs reported being targeted by a cyberattack. At the same time, it is estimated that more than 90% of nonprofits keep sensitive participant data, such as personal identifying information, in non-secure spreadsheets. Organizations need this information to manage their operations effectively and prove their impact, but they must do it in a secure way. At SureImpact, we prioritize the security of nonprofit data, ensuring that analytics tools are secure, and that sensitive information is protected.
I also recommend that nonprofits that don’t have a staff member who is knowledgeable about and focused on cyber security partner with a trusted managed services provider (MSP) to provide IT support. Check out our Strategic Partners page to learn more about some of our MSP partners.
Prioritizing Technology for the Future
Funding and prioritizing technology are critical for the future of nonprofits. The summit revealed that 71% of nonprofits face increased demand, while 50% are on the brink of financial challenges. Just as washing machines freed up time for people to focus on more meaningful activities, innovative technology allows nonprofits to concentrate on what only humans can do.
For example, SureImpact saves social services agencies significant time in data analysis and reporting, enabling them to provide better services to families and improve stability. By automating these processes, SureImpact allows staff to focus on building relationships, direct service delivery and strategic operations.
SureImpact is dedicated to helping nonprofits find funding and prioritize technology. By partnering with us, nonprofits can leverage our platform to track, measure, and communicate their impact effectively. This not only helps in securing funding but also in demonstrating the unique value they bring to their communities.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound
A case study was shared about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound (BBBSPS), a nonprofit organization that provides mentoring services to children and teens facing adversity. BBBSPS collaborated with Microsoft and KPMG to revolutionize the way children were matched with mentors through an advanced AI Match Recommendation Engine.
The AI Match Recommendation Engine improved the speed and quality of the matching process through a data-driven yet human-centered approach. AI provided recommendations for a mentor, but humans still made the final decision. AI saved staff time and helped them do their best work.
Conclusion
The Microsoft Global Nonprofit Leadership Summit was a powerful reminder of the potential of technology to drive social change. At SureImpact, we are grateful to be a partner in Microsoft's Tech for Social Impact initiative. Together, we are committed to empowering nonprofits to meet the challenges of tomorrow and create a more equitable and impactful world. SureImpact builds trust by ensuring data security, enhances effectiveness through powerful data insights, and boosts efficiency by automating time-consuming tasks.
Ready to see how SureImpact can transform your organization? Schedule a demo today and discover the power of our client management and data-driven insights to improve and amplify your impact.
Sheri Chaney Jones is the founder and CEO of SureImpact. For more than 25 years, Sheri has worked alongside foundation, non-profit, and government leaders to help them use data to solve complex social problems. An author, professor, and internationally recognized expert, Sheri believes in data, metrics, and accountability.
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