New Tech, New Triumphs, and Trials

While technological upgrades often require comprehensive training and overcoming resistance from those accustomed to the old ways, the benefits can been substantial. Leaders of the two organizations included here as examples emphasized the importance of clear communication, inclusive transition strategies, and continuous training to ensure successful implementation.

Technological Innovations

Cedar Brook Outreach shifted from paper-based processes to a digital system for managing its weekly food pantries. This transition greatly enhanced its ability to track and analyze service delivery.

Young Life adopted an integrated software package to manage HR functions, payroll, scheduling, and financial tasks, revolutionizing its multi-departmental processes. It’s proven to be a game changer, as integrating multiple departments into one seamless platform allows for improved levels of efficiency.

Change management for any technology solution is always the biggest challenge, more so than implementing the technology itself. Adoption of technology (and the change curve for that) is always one of the biggest challenges, and particularly in the nonprofit space where [technology use is] probably not as far along as [it is] in a lot of the private sector. 

James Gadsby
Desire Street Ministries