Discover how nonprofit professionals can lead organizational transformation by advocating for the right tools and technologies, driving efficiency, and positioning themselves for career growth.
Many nonprofit professionals see firsthand where inefficiencies exist—whether it’s in case management, reporting, or client tracking. But getting leadership to invest in better tools can feel challenging. The truth is, the most effective nonprofit leaders rely on their teams to surface better solutions. Those who bring new ideas, advocate for better systems, and push for innovation are often the ones who climb the ranks and shape their organization’s future.
To empower staff effectively, it’s essential to create a culture where innovation is encouraged and supported. This means fostering an environment where team members feel comfortable bringing new tools and technology to leadership's attention. By doing so, staff can actively contribute to the organization’s success and their professional growth.
Most nonprofit executives aren’t looking for new technology—they’re looking for solutions. When bringing up a tool like Untapped Solutions, focus on how it helps achieve leadership’s key goals:
Efficiency – “This will help our team serve more clients with less admin work.”
Funding – “This makes it easier to track impact and secure grants.”
Scalability – “This supports our long-term strategy by automating critical workflows.”
Instead of just saying, 'We need this tool,' frame it as, 'This is how we make our programs stronger.' By aligning new technology with leadership priorities, you demonstrate its value in a context they understand and care about.
Nonprofit leaders are more likely to listen to proactive problem-solvers than staff who simply identify problems. Show that you’ve done your homework:
Explain the Challenge: 'Right now, tracking client progress is manual and time-consuming.'
Offer a Solution: 'Untapped Solutions automates this, reducing workload and improving accuracy.'
Make the Case Easy: 'Other nonprofits are already using it with great results.'
Leaders don’t always have the time to research better tools. When you do the work for them, you become an asset. By positioning yourself as a proactive problem-solver, you increase the likelihood that leadership will take your suggestions seriously.
The people who bring solutions, advocate for efficiency, and drive impact are the ones who become future program managers, directors, and executives. Nonprofit professionals who lead change are the ones leadership remembers.
When you introduce technology that makes programs run smoother, saves time, and increases impact, you’re not just helping the organization—you’re demonstrating strategic thinking that positions you for career growth. Think about it—how do future nonprofit leaders get promoted? They don’t just do their job well; they help the entire team do their jobs better.
Executives don’t say no because they don’t care—they say no because they don’t understand the value. Keep it simple and actionable. Instead of long explanations, offer:
A short one-pager that explains the tool.
A case study from another nonprofit.
A quick meeting where leadership can ask questions directly.
By making it straightforward and easy for leadership to understand the benefits, you increase the chances of getting the green light for new technology. The key is to communicate the value clearly and concisely, making it as easy as possible for leadership to see the benefits and say yes.