25 Must-Read Nonprofit IT Blogs
Nonprofits have done so much to ensure that they leave the world a better place than they found it, but they’re not always celebrated for their technology prowess and innovation.
Many of the tools and technologies storming the enterprise (cloud, mobile and Big Data) are also relevant to nonprofits; they just need to be thought of and applied in different ways.
To spotlight the tech rock stars in the nonprofit sector, we asked our readers to submit their favorite nonprofit tech blogs. This Must-Read IT Blogs list is versioned after our ongoing overall Must-Read IT Blogs program — but this list is strictly for the nonprofit folks.
Thanks to the combined suggestions of the crowd and some scouring of our own, we’ve compiled a list of 25 Must-Read Nonprofit IT Blogs for your enjoyment. If your blog is one of the top blogs named in this list, be sure to grab a badge to share the recognition with your readers.
Beth’s Blog
Some people are community fixtures, and Beth Kanter, with her iconic red cowboy hat, is certainly a big personality in the nonprofit tech space. Her blog has been consistently cited as a go-to resource for nonprofits, and she’s racked up countless recognitions for social media excellence and influence.
Follow: @Kanter | Read the blog: bethkanter.org
Classy
If Kickstarter is the crowdfunding life force for startup entrepreneurship, Classy is its nonprofit sibling. But the site offers more than just a fundraising platform; its blog is a resource for best practices, insights and ideas for nonprofit technology.
Follow: @Classy | Read the blog: classy.org/blog
Nonprofit Technology News
Looking for the latest and greatest news on nonprofit tech? Look no further than this blog. The site updates regularly with straightforward news on what nonprofits are doing with technology or how they could do better with it.
Follow: @NPTechNews | Read the blog: nptechnews.com
Selfish Giving
Joe Waters is a pro when it comes to all things cause-marketing. What started as a way to reduce the number of “Did you see this?” emails has blossomed into an engaging, informative forum for nonprofit marketers.
Follow: @joewaters | Read the blog: selfishgiving.com/blog
The Nonprofit Times
You might say that The Nonprofit Times, “the leading business publication for nonprofit management,” is the Wall Street Journal of the nonprofit world. The site brings readers the latest news on the movers and shakers in the nonprofit industry. If you need to know who the key players are in nonprofit, start here.
Follow: @NonProfitTimes | Read the blog: thenonprofittimes.com
Church Tech Today
While churches might not seem like an obvious place for technology innovation, some churches are relying more heavily on sound technology investments to drive membership and attendance. This site offers practical and useful advice on using email, social media and other technologies to reach new followers.
Follow: @ChurchTechToday | Read the blog: churchtechtoday.com
TechSoup
Soup’s on! At TechSoup, readers can expect a piping-hot serving of IT insights and advice. The posts here range from the very practical, such as wondering if Windows 8 can be loaded onto an old machine, to the more philosophical, such as imagining how digital currency could affect nonprofits in the future.
Follow: @TechSoup | Read the blog: forums.techsoup.org/cs/community/b/
BeneTech
How’s this for a mission statement? “[G]et great tech tools to the people who often need them the most, but are least able to afford them!” Jim Fruchterman, author of the BeneTech blog, is relentless in his quest to use technology for the greater good. Read his blog if you want to be inspired and uplifted by the bright side of human-machine collaboration.
Follow: @JimFruchterman | Read the blog: benetech.blogspot.com
Idealware
In the for-profit space, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen famously proclaimed that software would eat the world. But Idealware imagines a world where software isn’t just disruptive, but also productive. The blog highlights valuable ways nonprofits can use software to be more efficient and realize their missions.
Follow: @idealware | Read the blog: idealware.org/blog
Cloud 4 Good
In the quest to track and manage relationships in the cloud, things can get a little scary. The team at Cloud 4 Good, a Salesforce implementation firm, is here to provide best practices and support to help make things a little less daunting. Consider the firm the Cloud Crusaders.
Follow: @cloud4good | Read the blog: cloud4good.com/blog
NTEN Connect Blog
Looking for a group of like-minded nonprofit IT pros? Then the NTEN Connect Blog is where you'll want to spend your time networking. A nonprofit organization for nonprofit technology professionals does sound a bit meta, but there’s no better place to learn from peers dealing with the same challenges you face.
Follow: @ntenorg | Read the blog: nten.org/blog
Tech Cafeteria
When nonprofit technology serves you mystery meat, put on your hairnet and roll up your sleeves. Peter Campbell, author of the Tech Cafeteria blog, is CIO of a nonprofit based in Reston, Va. The blog offers Campbell’s perspectives as an active working professional in the sector, which is worth way more than your average lunch special.
Follow: @peterscampbell | Read the blog: techcafeteria.com
Heye Tech
The problem with technology is that enthusiasts often exist in silos. Sometimes this is because non-IT people think IT is complex. Other times, it's because IT isn't properly aligned. As Steve points out, “It isn't about the system, it is about the culture surrounding it. It isn't about functionality, it is about how it serves the mission.”
Follow: @SteveHeye | Read the blog: steveheye.blogspot.com
Steve Fogg
The church is increasingly being enveloped by a digital layer. Steve Fogg, communications pastor at Crossway Baptist Church in Australia, offers his experience and insights in integrating digital communications into faith and worship.
Follow: @SteveFogg | Read the blog: stevefogg.com
Matt McKee
As a dedicated professional in the nonprofit space, Matt McKee has seen it all. And he wants to let you know that firing your volunteers via text message is not OK. His sense of humor is subtle, but quite well-executed. Expect to chuckle as you learn something on this blog.
Follow: @MattMcKee | Read the blog: mattmckee.me
Faith Engineer
To be a successful engineer, you must build with not only your hands, but also your mind. Mike Morris is a former design engineer turned pastor, and in making that transition, he has seen the challenges small nonprofits and churches face with deploying tech.
Follow: @FaithEngineer | Read the blog: faithengineer.com
Church Tech Talk
What started out as a roundtable discussion among friends has blossomed into an ongoing blog that tackles tech problems big and small for faith-based organizations. This includes helping graphic designers in the church master Photoshop's unwieldy pen tool.
Follow: @ChurchTechTalk | Read the blog: churchtechtalk.com
TechImpact
Founded with Microsoft's help, this nonprofit is dedicated to empowering nonprofits and providing them access to technology. Its blog provides leadership with the rationale to make important operational decisions.
Follow: @Tech_Impact | Read the blog: blog.techimpact.org
FrogLoop
Care2 is one of the largest petition sites on the Web, and it rallies millions to countless causes online every day. FrogLoop is the organization’s platform for expounding on the intricacies of nonprofit marketing and management. The blog includes advice on leadership and fundraising, but it also explores the quirkier side of life, as in this llama drama post.
Follow: @care2frogloop | Read the blog: frogloop.com
BKM Tech
Museums might hold ancient secrets, but they're fast starting to explore futuristic experiences. The Brooklyn Museum has plenty to marvel at already, and its blog gives visitors even more insight into the latest and greatest tech it's rolling out.
Follow: @brooklynmuseum | Read the blog: brooklynmuseum.org/community/blogosphere/
Museum Geek
Everything is ripe for innovation, and as a digital content manager for the Baltimore Museum of Art, Suse Cairns is interested in pushing the envelope. The blog aims to tackle some pretty tough discussions, such as identifying when a “museum experience” has taken place.
Follow: @shineslike | Read the blog: museumgeek.wordpress.com
Nonprofit Tech for Good
If nonprofits know what’s “good” for them, they’ll make sure to bookmark this blog. With more than 100,000 monthly visitors, the site has established a significant digital footprint, making it a must-read for nonprofits.
Follow: @Nonprofitorgs | Read the blog: nptechforgood.com
FundChat
Does a dollar make you holler like Honey Boo Boo? Then you’ve landed at the right place. It’s no secret that fundraising is the life blood of any nonprofit, and this site aims to help nonprofits use technology and social media to unlock donors' revenue potential.
Follow: @FundChat | Read the blog: fundchat.org
Community Technology Network
The San Francisco Bay Area is home to some of the most innovative technology companies in the world. And its nonprofit game is nothing to sneeze at either. This organization keeps a close eye on the Bay Area nonprofit tech scene.
Follow: @CTNBayArea | Read the blog: ctnbayarea.org/blog
John Kenyon
With 20 years of consulting and nonprofit tech work under his belt, John Kenyon knows what nonprofits need when it comes to tech. His blog is a trusted resource for leaders looking to transform their nonprofit organizations from the inside out.
Follow: @jakenyon | Read the blog: johnkenyon.typepad.com
If your blog is one of those featured in our this list, you can grab a badge here.
