Nonprofit Technology Decision Framework
Choose technology based on the work it must support, not the number of features it promises. Use these questions before you buy, renew, or replace a tool.
1. Clarify the workflow
Identify the problem, current workaround, affected users, and what a successful process looks like.
2. Check actual capacity
Determine who will own setup, training, support, accessibility review, and ongoing maintenance.
3. Compare total cost
Include subscriptions, migration, integrations, onboarding, staff time, renewals, and exit costs.
4. Review privacy and risk
Check permissions, data ownership, retention, security safeguards, vendor access, and portability.
5. Pilot and decide
Test with representative users, record results, and set a date to adopt, revise, or decline.
Adapt this framework to your organization’s size, governance requirements, and local context. Review consequential decisions with your team.