Inside Our Nonprofit Roundtable: Making Technology Work Harder, Not Harder to Use
In June 2025, We hosted a roundtable discussion built around a question that’s more relevant than ever: how can nonprofits make technology work for them, effectively, without breaking the bank?
Leaders from across the nonprofit sector gathered at the Pax8 office for an honest, practical conversation which was less about the latest tech trends, and more about the real challenges mission-driven organisations face every day. Here’s what came out of it.
Unlocking the Full Potential of Microsoft 365
Most nonprofits are using Microsoft 365, but only a fraction of what it actually offers. The conversation centred on moving beyond basic email and document storage, toward the tools that genuinely change how a small team operates: Teams for collaboration, Power Automate for repetitive admin, and SharePoint for centralised knowledge sharing.
The starting point isn’t the technology. It’s the pain point. Whether that’s streamlining donor management, improving volunteer coordination, or automating manual reporting, the right solution starts with naming the actual problem first.
The Real Challenge Isn’t Ambition. It’s Capacity
Technology can be a genuine enabler for nonprofits, but only if it fits the reality of how they actually work. One thing became clear during the discussion: the biggest barrier isn’t a shortage of ideas. It’s capacity.
With limited budgets and small teams, there’s often neither the funding for the right tools nor the time to learn them properly.
Fundraising emerged as the most pressing pain point in the room. Despite no shortage of digital platforms, many nonprofits still struggle to build donor pipelines, send targeted and meaningful communications, and track what’s actually working. Much of what’s available feels too expensive, too complex, or simply not built with how nonprofits operate in mind.
Without the right foundations, growth stalls, even for the most inspiring missions. Closing that gap isn’t a nice-to-have, but a prerequisite for sustainability and impact.
What Good Looks Like in Practice
The right technology doesn’t just make things easier. It makes more impact possible.
Instead of juggling spreadsheets and chasing email threads, nonprofits are using Outlook and Dynamics to manage donor relationships properly — tracking conversations, automating thank-you emails, and keeping everything in one place. Power Automate is handling the repetitive work like donation receipts and recurring reports, freeing up time for the work that actually matters.
SharePoint and Teams are making it easier for staff to collaborate, whether they’re in the office or working remotely, all backed by Microsoft’s security, which matters a great deal when handling sensitive donor or beneficiary data.
The takeaway from the room was simple: Microsoft 365 isn’t just a set of tools. Used properly, it’s a way for stretched teams to work smarter, connect better, and free up the headspace to focus on what they exist to do.
Want More?
If you’re part of a nonprofit and want to explore this further, we’ve put together a free eBook packed with practical takeaways on getting the most out of Microsoft 365.
Nebula IT is an NCSC Assured managed IT provider supporting charities, nonprofits and regulated organisations across Bristol, the South West, and the UK.
