As nonprofits delve into digital transformation — which nearly three quarters of them are, according to the Nonprofit Technology Network — they’ll need to consider a core precursor for success: application modernization.
App modernization, the process of updating apps to fit into a modern, (usually) cloud-first environment, helps organizations keep pace with current technology standards. It supports improved efficiency, a better user experience and more robust digital capabilities.
Those are important for any organization, but for nonprofits, it can be a critical part of mission fulfillment.
READ MORE: How app modernization fits into your digital transformation plans.
The Unique Digital Transformation Challenges Nonprofits Face
A survey of nonprofit leaders conducted by AWS shows that while most discuss technology on a frequent basis, it’s often viewed as an auxiliary part of an organization’s strategy. Only 15 percent of respondents say that technology is a focus of their organizational strategy.
That makes sense; most nonprofits exist to fulfill their mission, not to be tech leaders. But in a sector that often faces limited budgets, strained personnel resources and rigorous regulatory pressures, digital transformation may not be seen as a priority. Nonprofit IT leaders are faced with constraints that may force an ad hoc approach that isn’t as comprehensive as they’d like it to be.
Yet a strategic stop-and-go approach can actually support digital transformation and app modernization.