Why Unified Communications Solutions Are Ideal for Nonprofits

Nonprofits are diverse: their varying missions and constituents mean each organization has to find what works best for its mission. No nonprofit works on an island, either. It relies on information from so many stakeholders to make positive changes in the world. But regardless of the nonprofit’s mission, many struggle to find donors, fulfill their missions, and manage funds. 

It truly takes a village to run a nonprofit, but how do you keep that village in constant communication? 

Unified communications (UC) includes the handful of technologies that nonprofits use to communicate internally and externally. This includes channels such as: 

• Phone
• Email
• Video chat
• Instant messaging
• SMS

While the technology certainly helps, unified communications for nonprofits isn’t just about having the latest tech. This also encompasses the processes and procedures that help the nonprofit glean the most value out of its technologies. 

Learn why nonprofits need unified communications, why UC is so beneficial, and the three ways unified communications helps nonprofits. 

Why Implement Unified Communications Strategies? 

Unified communications delivers so much value for nonprofits in the form of: 

• Faster communication: With UC, nonprofit employees can access messages on their mobile devices, laptops, and more for faster response times. This also allows your team to chat with constituents via email, phone, or video chat in a secure and compliant way. 
• Remote-friendly: Unified communications is perfect for remote workplaces. If your nonprofit wants to enjoy the cost reductions that come with a remote model, UC will keep your team connected despite the distance. For example, VoIP allows employees to use their personal cell phones for work without revealing their personal phone number.
• Increased connectivity: If employees need to visit different offices or locations for your nonprofit, UC makes it easy for your team to reach one another. No one is reliant on a corded desk phone, which means they can stay connected even while on the move. 
• Reduced costs: Unified communications is very scalable. The subscription model means you only pay for the resources you use. And since unified communications is typically digitized, it comes with essential cost savings that are a boon to nonprofits’ bottom lines. 

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) saw these benefits firsthand when it worked with Alcatel-Lucent to provide communications for 26 towns in Connecticut. The nonprofit wanted to bring VoIP, hosting, and video streaming to several small towns, free of charge. 

The results were amazing: 

• The new system required very little maintenance.
• The towns now have enterprise-grade IT services at an unbeatable cost.
• Disaster recovery is built into the system.
• The new infrastructure is scalable, so CCAT can add to it for future growth as needed.

Three Ways Unified Communications Helps Nonprofit Organizations

Your nonprofit likely uses some form of unified communications right now to stay in touch. But there are several ways to optimize unified communications and make the most of your nonprofit’s resources. 

1. VoIP

Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) uses the internet to send and receive phone calls. With no difference in call quality compared to traditional phone systems, VoIP is simple to install and easier to maintain. There’s no need for expensive copper wiring and employees can even use their personal phones for work. 

2. Cloud communications

How much of your nonprofit operates in the cloud? By moving to cloud-first solutions, you can leverage secure, faster technology that keeps your team moving, no matter what. 

For example, cloud services allow nonprofits to integrate their donor databases with their phone system and email. If you connect with a new donor, you can easily add their contact information to your system for later follow-ups. 

3. Ongoing improvements

Like any technology, unified communications does require monitoring and maintenance. While the simplicity of UC means it’s possible for nonprofits to do maintenance internally, that’s not always the best option. 

By working with a reliable third-party unified communications provider, nonprofits can reap the benefits of added connectivity without the anxiety of upgrades and maintenance. This also allows nonprofits to enjoy any new features and upgrades that become available after implementation. 

Unified Communications Options for Nonprofits

Unified communications is a must for modern nonprofits. Some UC solutions might require physical hardware, but sometimes a software-only solution will work, too. Regardless of a nonprofit’s budget, it’s possible to upgrade communications to see long-term benefits. 

Unified communications uses flexible technologies that help nonprofits operate in a more agile way. Learn how Dice can help nonprofits with unified communications.