In this article, philanthropy expert and technology guru Madeline Duva outlines the three tech trends that will revolutionize the nonprofit sector in 2020.
1. Nonprofits Will Team Up to Address Common Concerns
“Organizations like the JPB Foundation in New York City are leading by example, employing a hub model that recognizes complex social issues cannot be solved by single players alone, but rather require a host of like-minded organizations working in concert toward a single goal,” says Duva, CEO of Fluxx, a cloud-based grant management platform that caters to small, midsize, and large nonprofits. “To achieve this, the JPB Foundation employs a collaborative model in which it funds a ‘hub organization’ or ‘anchor’ and then funds a network of surrounding organizations that work together to pool resources, deploy knowledge, and create a more effective and supportive ecosystem.”
2. More Organizations Will Begin Using AI-Based Technology
“The applications of AI in philanthropy are wide-ranging, but perhaps one of the most promising examples can be found in the work accomplished by journalistic nonprofits, which are adopting innovative AI-based technologies to discover insights into social media and the way we consume information,” Duva explained. “Notably, according to a report published by Fast Company, nonprofit news organization ProPublica developed ‘a new approach to investigative reporting that uses technology like machine learning and chatbots’ to look into algorithms that affect our lives.”
3. Blockchain Will Become Essential in Philanthropy
“Whether it’s donors receiving gifts in crypto, tracking malaria drugs with a blockchain marker, or adopting a cryptocurrency system for refugees in unbanked nations, this technology represents a tangible opportunity to overcome real barriers to progress and innovation,” Duva stated. “As use cases proliferate and word of mouth around blockchain’s effectiveness continues to spread, so, too, will we see more philanthropic organizations investigate how they can best integrate this technology into their global and national missions.”