Updated · Originally published
It’s no surprise to anyone that in these tough economic times, many people turn to their local nonprofits for help in meeting basic human needs. But the increased demands for help hit nonprofits at the same time that their own revenues are declining because of the economy. Nonprofits today are struggling with a including….
- Foundations have lost an average of 30 percent of their assets due to the plunge in the stock market, predicts the leader of a major association of grant makers. (from Chronicle of Philanthropy)
- The economic downturn is battering nonprofits, first with a marked decrease in donations and now the ensuing layoffs because of the dramatically reduced revenue. In some cases, the layoffs are in the double-digits of percentage of workforce. (from The NonProfit Times)
- The pipeline from corporate America to the nation's charities is starting to dry up, as losses in the stock market mount and the U.S. recession deepens. With many large organizations depending on corporate largesse, their futures are suddenly uncertain. (from Wall Street Journal)
- Requests for emergency food aid has escalated rapidly in the last year, according to a new survey of the nation’s food banks conducted by , the Chicago umbrella organization that represents more than 200 food banks. (from )
“We are seeing an increased need among middle-class people making $40,000 to $70,000 who are recently unemployed, having health problems, having difficulty managing mortgage payments, and going to soup kitchens and pantries for emergency food assistance,” wrote a survey respondent from Long Island Cares, a New York food bank. Another official from Community Food Banks of South Dakota wrote: “When you hear a client tell you that ‘I never thought that I would have to come to the pantry to get food’ or to have someone say that ‘I used to donate to the pantry and now I am using it,’ that is when you realize how tough things are.”
It’s a time where all businesses, including nonprofits, must closely examine where they can be more efficient in their day-to-day processes. More efficient in marketing to constituents, more efficient in processing transactions, more efficient in reporting to key stakeholders and more efficient at tracking and forecasting donations. Technology offers a number of options for nonprofits to implement those efficiencies through accounting systems such as , through to track communications to and activity from constituents, and other Microsoft technologies such as . Plus, Microsoft also offers better serve their communities.
If you are a located in the or area, contact Sherwood Systems for assistance in determining if a technology solution can help your organization better serve your community. (877) 943-9696
by Sherwood Systems –
Microsoft has a promotion running now for Non Profit companies too:
Non Profit Companies – Buy 1 user Get 2 Free
All non profit companies (in SIC 83xx or 86xx) are eligible to buy 1 user of Microsoft Dynamics GP (Advanced Management OR Business Essentials) and get 2 users free.
Expires December 23, 2009. Promotion code: NA-H1-10-04.