With this discussion, I will break the mold. Few nonprofit fundraisers address the importance of cloud security. But in this post, I will.
I have been working in the nonprofit sector for forty years. Over that time, technology has advanced dramatically. When I began my first nonprofit job, we used typewriters. In fact, my master’s thesis was typed at night after work and on the weekends on an IBM Selectric. But by the time of next formal development position, I was working fully on an Apple III. I have witnessed a “sea change” in terms of office technology in professional office settings.
My desire to work in the nonprofit sector was driven by a desire to do good and to help others. Since those early days, however, I have witnessed some unethical behavior on the part of nonprofit staff and volunteers, regrettably. While most organizations and people engaged in social good are ethical in every way, one must keep one’s eye open and not be naive.
Nonprofit fundraising can inspire jealousy and sometimes, the desire to gain power and control. And that means nonprofit fundraising records and data can be at risk. Some bad actors may in fact think they are doing the right thing for the nonprofit by taking your records. It is a curious state of affairs.
For example, I once worked with a stock broker and volunteer board member. After I completed a one-year assignment (documenting my work scrupulously), he took all the records and research I had produced. In fact, new leadership of the organization informed me a year after departing that they could not find any of my work. And there was a lot of it. But the cloud system I had employed saved the day. My estimation is prospective donor information valued in the range of $6 million was saved, and the nonprofit could resume its development activities. So, how valuable is cloud storage to a nonprofit? In this nonprofit’s case, I would say $6 million.
In two other cases, I have had my computer (laptop) stolen. Unscrupulous, often jealous executive directors, nonprofit program officers, university deans and even university presidents can be perpetrators. I have worked with a few national organizations that have decided to take local field office records without warning, and local donors have been rightly concerned, as they do not know who took that confidential information nor how it will be used.
Again, often they believe they are keeping the nonprofit safe by taking (aka, stealing) development information. But then, they frequently lose or misplace the information, and they do not even understand what it is, or how to use it. And that impedes the progress of the nonprofit and its important work in the short and long term.
These kinds of experiences inspired me to go all-in on cloud storage some 20 years ago. And that investment has saved the day over and over again. Both my personal and professional documents are housed on various cloud servers today (I employ more than one). Yes, retaining some “hard copies” of documents is also helpful (and back up disks). But unlike some of my nonprofit colleagues, I do not fear the cloud. I have had an overwhelmingly positive experience.
TechSoup has a special section on its website, “Security in the Cloud.” There you can learn how to review potential cloud products, and investigate key nonprofit security concerns. They wisely note:
When evaluating your move into the cloud, you should assess the providers you’re considering. The factors you might want to compare include examining their supply chain; how they manage incidents and requests for service; and what policies, processes, and procedures they have in place for disaster recovery. Your assessment should also include whether they meet any compliance standards that apply to your organization. For example, if you house sensitive client data that includes records about their medical history, then you may be limited as to which cloud providers comply with regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Assessing Cloud Providers and Security, TechSoup
In my blog’s main menu, you will find information focused on disaster preparation and recovery. A few years ago, I worked with a nonprofit recovering from a hurricane. A wall of “sludge” went through their offsite storage unit, destroying their capital campaign records. We worked together – the volunteers, board and staff – to recall and record the organization’s fundraising history (to which I also added new information). And that information then went into the cloud.
Keep in mind, the term “disaster” can mean a terrorist attack, a fire, flooding, theft and more, not only tornadoes and hurricanes. You can protect your work by moving it into a trustworthy cloud platform. And that will also allow your staff and volunteers to work remotely, just in case your physical office is severely damaged, for example.
Protect your nonprofit and its future fundraising success by moving your documentation into the cloud. That decision may save the day, someday.
Check out these TechSoup resources:
“Comparison Chart: Cloud Storage Solutions for Your Nonprofit”
Carolyn's Nonprofit Blog 
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