18/03/2026
Running a small charity often means spinning a lot of plates. Fundraising, volunteers, safeguarding, reporting, governance… and somewhere in the middle of all that, you’re expected to “sort the IT”.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Microsoft has released The Small Nonprofit Guide to Technology, a practical resource designed specifically for small and mid-sized nonprofits who want to make a bigger impact without stretching already tight budgets.
The guide walks through the key areas where technology can genuinely make a difference, including:
Explore how tools like Microsoft 365 can help staff and volunteers collaborate more easily, whether they’re in the office, at home or out in the community. From email and calendars to file sharing and online meetings, the focus is on helping teams stay connected and productive.
Cybersecurity is no longer optional. The guide outlines how built-in security features can help protect sensitive data, reduce risk, and safeguard your organisation without adding complexity.
With cloud platforms such as Azure, small nonprofits can reduce infrastructure costs, improve resilience, and scale services as they grow. The guide explains how cloud technology can support business continuity and reduce the burden of managing physical servers.
Discover how tools like Dynamics 365, Power BI and Power Apps can help manage finances, streamline operations, gain insight from data, and build simple applications without specialist coding skills.
There’s also guidance on digital skills and training resources, helping your team build confidence and capability in an increasingly digital world.
Not every organisation has in-house technical expertise. The guide explains when it may be helpful to work with a trusted partner to plan, implement or optimise your technology.
Technology should reduce pressure, not add to it.
Used well, it can:
Save time on administration
Improve communication with volunteers and beneficiaries
Strengthen data protection and compliance
Support more effective fundraising
Free up capacity to focus on your mission
For small organisations especially, access to grants and discounted software can make modern, secure technology far more affordable than many assume.
If you’re reviewing your current systems, planning a digital upgrade, or simply curious about what’s available, this guide is a helpful starting point.
