The State of Nonprofit Information Technology (SONIT) Report aims to capture comprehensive data on the IT practices of U.S. and Canadian nonprofits, focusing on organizations with 5 to 1,000 staff. The project spans one academic year, with the first semester dedicated to planning and development and the second to data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Success Metrics

1. Survey Participation:

   - Achieve accurate and comprehensive survey responses from at least 1,000 U.S. nonprofits, with an ideal target of over 1,500.

   - Ensure participation from a diverse range of nonprofit sizes, geographic locations, and issue areas.

2. Staff Survey Participation:

   - Collect anonymous responses from staff members of participating nonprofits to gauge their experiences and perceptions of using technology.

3. Public Data Utilization:

   - Successfully integrate data from public sources to minimize survey questions and enhance data comprehensiveness.

4. Individual Reports:

   - Provide detailed, personalized IT assessment reports to all nonprofits that complete the surveys.

   - Include specific recommendations tailored to each nonprofit's IT status and needs, while maintaining anonymity.

5. Comprehensive Report:

   - Produce a comprehensive and visually appealing report on the state of nonprofit IT.

   - Ensure the report includes high-quality visualizations, key findings, and actionable insights.

- Through research, identify any correlation between technology maturity and organization performance. For example, do nonprofits with higher levels of IT maturity show benefits such as improved employee retention, fundraising, etc. Research will be needed to determine which metrics are meaningful indicators of nonprofit performance.

6. Data Utilization:

   - Compile a rich dataset on the state of nonprofit IT that can inform and enhance service, marketing, and sales strategies.

7. Engagement and Feedback:

   - Measure the level of engagement from participating nonprofits and gather feedback on the survey process and reports.

8. Impact and Outreach:

   - Track the distribution and readership of the final comprehensive report and measure its impact.

9. Partnership Development:

   - Establish and maintain strong partnerships with capacity providers and sponsors.

10. Learning Outcomes for Students:

   - Assess the learning outcomes for students involved in the project and collect their feedback.

11. Public Recognition and Media Coverage:

   - Aim for media coverage and public recognition of the SONIT project.

12. Documentation and SOP for repeating annually

Timeline

September - December 2024:

1. Project Kickoff: Introduction to the project, objectives, and deliverables.

2. Survey and Interview Design: Develop questions and guidelines for both organizational surveys and staff surveys.

3. Public Data Exploration: Identify and explore public data sources that can provide relevant information about nonprofit IT practices.

4. Automation Tools: Research and implement automation tools to capture data from public sources.

5. Anonymization Process: Develop and implement a process to anonymize survey data, ensuring that individual responses cannot be traced back to specific organizations.

6. Outreach Strategy: Create a strategy for reaching out to nonprofits and their staff, including potential partners and communication methods.

7. Incentive Planning: Develop plans for offering pro bono assessments, stipends, and other incentives.

8. Partnership Development: Identify and establish partnerships with capacity providers and sponsors.

January - February 2025:

1. Survey and Interview Campaign: Launch the outreach campaign, leveraging partners and various channels to distribute organizational surveys, staff surveys, and conduct interviews.

2. Public Data and Automation Integration: Continuously integrate data from public sources and automate the data capture process.

3. Anonymization Implementation: Ensure the anonymization process is applied to all collected data.

4. Ongoing Monitoring: Monitor responses, send reminders, and address issues.

March - April 2025:

5. Data Analysis: Analyze collected data to identify trends, key findings, and staff perceptions.

6. Report Preparation: Draft the comprehensive report, including visualizations, summaries, and detailed analysis.

7. Individual Reports: Prepare personalized reports for participating nonprofits, incorporating both organizational and staff survey data, while maintaining anonymity.

May 2025:

8. Report Finalization and Release: Finalize and publish the report, and distribute individual reports.

9. Project Wrap-Up: Gather feedback and document lessons learned.

10. Case Study: Develop a detailed case study on how the project was designed, resourced, executed, and delivered using the Riipen platform.

Incentive Strategies:

1. Tailored Reports and Benchmarking: Offer personalized IT assessment reports that highlight how the nonprofit's IT practices compare to peers.

2. Educational Webinars and Workshops: Host free webinars or workshops on relevant IT topics, such as cybersecurity, data privacy, and AI implementation.

3. Grant Opportunities: Partner with grant-making organizations to provide funding opportunities for survey participants.

4. Recognition and Publicity: Publicly recognize participating nonprofits in the final report and through media channels.

5. Pro Bono Consulting Services: Offer limited pro bono IT consulting services or vouchers for discounted services from partner organizations.

6. Small Financial Stipends: Provide small financial stipends or donations ($50 to $100) to participating nonprofits.

Data Collection and Engagement

1. Partnerships with Nonprofit Networks: Collaborate with national and regional nonprofit associations, foundations, and capacity-building organizations.

2. Multi-Channel Outreach: Utilize a variety of communication channels to reach nonprofits, including email campaigns, social media, newsletters, and webinars.

3. Simplified Survey Process: Keep the survey concise and user-friendly, with clear instructions and a logical flow.

4. Interviews and Focus Groups: Conduct interviews and focus groups for more detailed insights.

5. Interactive Survey Platforms: Use interactive and engaging survey platforms that are mobile-friendly and allow for easy navigation.

6. Follow-Up and Support: Provide follow-up support and reminders to participants.

Technology

1. Automated Data Collection: Use automated tools to streamline data collection and minimize the burden on respondents.

2. Public Data Integration: Integrate data from public sources to reduce the need for extensive survey questions.

3. Incentive Tracking System: Implement a system to track and distribute incentives efficiently.

4. Anonymization Process: Develop and implement a process to anonymize survey data, ensuring that individual responses cannot be traced back to specific organizations.

To ensure the successful completion of the State of Nonprofit Information Technology (SONIT) Report project, I am willing to provide comprehensive support and mentorship to the learners. This support would likely be structured as follows:

Staff Time and Meetings

Twice Weekly Stand-Ups: I will conduct two 15-minute stand-up meetings each week. These brief sessions will allow the team to provide quick updates, raise any immediate issues, and ensure that everyone is aligned on short-term goals and tasks.

Weekly Meeting: In addition to the stand-ups, there will be a weekly meeting of up to 60 minutes. This longer session will be dedicated to discussing the overall project status, clarifying objectives, addressing any blockers, and planning the next steps in detail. This will ensure that the team remains focused and that any challenges are addressed promptly.

Mentorship and Guidance

- **Regular Check-Ins:** I will be available for regular check-ins outside of the scheduled meetings to provide additional guidance and support as needed.

- **Expert Advice:** As an experienced vCIO/vCISO, I will offer expert advice on IT practices, data analysis, and report generation to help the learners develop high-quality deliverables.

- **Resource Sharing:** The team will have access to a repository of resources, including research papers, case studies, and best practices in nonprofit IT management, to inform their work.

Additional Support

- **Feedback Loops:** Continuous feedback will be provided on the team’s progress and deliverables to ensure they meet the project’s objectives and standards.

- **Blocker Resolution:** Any blockers or challenges encountered by the team will be promptly addressed to keep the project on track.

- **Networking Opportunities:** The learners will have opportunities to connect with industry professionals and nonprofit leaders to gain insights and expand their professional networks.

By providing structured meetings, access to essential tools and data, and ongoing mentorship, I am committed to supporting the learners in completing the SONIT Report project successfully. This approach will not only help them achieve the project goals but also enhance their learning experience and professional development.