Why Cloud Services Are Key for Enhancing Your Non-Profit's Impact and Efficiency 

Despite their noble missions, non-profits are still subject to the growing risks posed by operating in a digitized business environment.  

They often struggle to operate efficiently, with limited resources for building a robust IT infrastructure that can handle their data, streamline their processes, and increase productivity. From the cyberattack on Save The Children, where hackers stole more than seven terabytes of data, to the ransomware attack against Ohio History Connection that affected roughly 7,600 stakeholders, data security threats also continuously disrupt the work of large-scale institutions and smaller organizations alike. 

Enter cloud computing, an essential solution for addressing the common operational challenges that non-profits have when it comes to their technology. Below, we'll discuss the benefits of implementing cloud services for your organization and how these tools can maximize your impact. You'll also learn how hiring a managed IT services provider can help you leverage cloud-based solutions more effectively. 

What Are Cloud Services? 

In a nutshell, cloud services offer a way to access various computing functions over the Internet and are generally available on a pay-as-you-go basis. 

With a third-party provider hosting the servers that support them, users can access these resources remotely without needing to manage their own physical infrastructure. Typically, all it takes to connect is to log onto a platform via your web browser or an application.  

You can tap into these cloud resources via different methods: a public cloud, which is shared with other users online; a private cloud, which dedicates the cloud environment's control and resources to one single customer; or a hybrid cloud, which only combines cloud resources for less-critical organizational assets. 

There are different types of cloud services, with the most common being: 

• Software as a Service (SaaS): You can access a software application without needing to install or maintain it on your local devices. Well-known examples are Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365. 
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): This service lets users remotely provision and manage virtualized computing resources such as virtual machines, storage, and networking infrastructure. 
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): The provider's customers can access a cloud-based environment with extensive features for developing and deploying applications. 

The Key Benefits Cloud Services Can Bring to Non-Profits 

Everything a non-profit does is to advance its mission and make a meaningful difference in the world. By embracing the cloud, you can achieve those goals more effectively and efficiently. Let’s dive deeper into specifically how cloud computing can do that: 

Enhanced Collaboration  

Hybrid work is here to stay, with recent stats showing that about 20-25% of workers work from home, at least on a part-time basis. Non-profits who leverage cloud services find this gives their employees the flexibility to work from anywhere while still engaging in strong collaboration. SaaS for non-profits is particularly appealing! Staff can easily access shared applications, databases, documents, and other resources containing the most up-to-date real-time information. Their teams can also quickly communicate when needed, whether by instant message or virtual meetings. 

Cost Savings and Efficiency  

Non-profits must often navigate budget constraints when supporting their community. Shifting to a more cost-effective cloud computing environment would allow them to cut back on the expenses required to maintain a physical IT infrastructure. Meanwhile, the accessibility of these types of services would also deliver an operational efficiency that stretches resources into providing longer-lasting value. 

Scalability and Flexibility 

Also, the standard pay-as-you-go pricing models lead to scalable IT solutions that organizations can leverage to avoid unnecessary expenses. As their needs change, they can adjust their IT resources without a significant overhaul, such as when launching a new program, cutting back on a particular outreach effort, or needing to accommodate new team members. For example, cloud storage solutions let you affordably and efficiently source more space, and IaaS solutions help you quickly access more computing power when necessary. 

Stronger Security 

Data security is a massive priority for non-profits, who typically possess extensive volumes of sensitive information, whether from their funders, donors, community members, or other critical stakeholders. Unfortunately, adequately defending that data feels challenging with a non-profit's limited resources. 

Cloud service providers make this endeavor more accessible! They implement built-in advanced security measures to safeguard your assets, like encryption, data backups, access controls, and disaster recovery. When paired with implementing other cybersecurity best practices at your organization, you'll be much more likely to avoid a catastrophic data breach that disrupts your vital work. 

How To Implement Cloud Services in Your Non-Profit 

Your first step in starting your journey should be looking at your current IT environment. Assess your needs by inventorying your requirements alongside identifying current inefficiencies and vulnerabilities. Then, your organization can use that information to determine your specific objectives, decide which assets will make the transition, and select the correct type of cloud service to reflect your priorities. 

Once those loftier decisions are made, it's time to plan for migration by outlining your timeline, action items and required resources. Critically, you can ensure a smooth transition by training your team in using these new tools effectively. 

This may seem daunting if you don't have significant technical expertise. However, hiring a managed IT services provider can help organizations simplify this massive undertaking. They can use their deep knowledge of industry best practices to help you make these complex decisions, provide tailored recommendations for the right cloud solutions, optimize for cost-effectiveness, and design the most effective cloud architecture for your needs. They also offer ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that you migrate your data without any hiccups and that your infrastructure remains resilient and secure.  

Curious to learn more? Dive deeper into these tips for choosing the right managed services provider. 

Enhance your cloud infrastructure with Bulletproof IT’s managed IT services 

Cloud computing has the potential to massively transform various aspects of a non-profit's operations for more significant impact and efficiency. Although we've provided a foundational understanding of how cloud services can support non-profits here, our experts are always happy to explore this topic in more depth through our tailored non-profit IT support. 

Interested in exploring cloud services for your non-profit?  

Discover how Bulletproof IT’s managed IT services can help your organization leverage this technology for greater efficiency and impact. Contact us today to learn more about our secure, scalable, and cost-effective cloud computing options.