A few months ago, we had the privilege of hosting a thought-provoking roundtable event focused on a topic that’s more relevant than ever: how nonprofits can leverage technology to their advantage, effectively, and without breaking the bank.
With leaders from across the nonprofit sector gathered around the table at the impressive Pax8 office, the conversation was rich with insights, real-world examples, and honest reflections on the challenges and opportunities tech presents for mission-driven organisations.
Here are the top takeaways from the session:
Unlocking the full potential of Microsoft 365
We explored how nonprofits are able to leverage Microsoft 365 to their full potential to maximuse impact with limited resources. The discussion focused on moving beyond basic email and document use, and toward fully leveraging tools like Teams for collaboration, Power Automate for repetitive tasks,and SharePoint for centralised knowledge sharing.
Start by identifying pain points. It might invovle streamlining donor management, through to improving volunteer coordiation or automating manual reporting. It’s about looking for solutions that directly support those needs.
Common technology pain points
Technology can be a powerful enabler for non profits – but only if it fits the reality of how they work. During our roundtable, one thing was clear: the biggest challenges arent a lack of ideas or ambition – it’s capacity. With limited budgets and small teams, access to the right tools or the time to figure them out is extremely limited.
The most pressing problem that popped up? Fundraising.
Despite the ever-growing digital platforms out there, non-profits are still struggling to build donor pipelines, send out targeted, meaningful messages, and track what’s actually working. A lot of the tools available feel either too expensive, too complex, or just not made for the way non-profits operate.
Without the right tech in place, it’s hard to scale. Even the most inspiring missions can get stuck. That’s why solving these gaps – especially around fundraising – isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a must for growth, sustainability, and delivering greater impact.
The solution
The right technology doesn’t just make things easier – it makes impact possible.
Instead of juggling spreadsheets or chasing email threads, teams are using Outlook and Dynamics to stay on top of donor relationships – tracking conversations, automating thank-you emails, and keeping everything in one place. Power Automate has been a game-changer for repetitive tasks like sending donation receipts or pulling together reports, freeing up time for the work that really matters.
Tools like SharePoint and Teams are helping staff collaborate more easily, whether they’re in the office or working remotely, and everything is backed by Microsoft’s strong security – which gives peace of mind when dealing with sensitive donor or beneficiary data.
The takeaway? Microsoft 365 isn’t just a suite of tools. It’s a way to work smarter, connect better, and give stretched teams the breathing room to focus on what they do best: making a difference.
If you’re a non-profit and interested in learning more about this topic, download our free eBook here – packed full of useful takeaways which can make your non-profit excel when it comes to technology.