What trends and tech best practices should your nonprofit embrace in 2015? Here we predict & discuss 5 tech & 5 design trends and cover how they affect the nonprofit sector and how to your nonprofit can get prepared.

1. Nonprofit Tech
and Design Trends
for 2015
Toronto Net Tuesday
January 13th, 2014

2. This is not about the latest,
greatest, cutting edge tech
trends in 2015

3. This is about trends
that will impact your
nonprofit in 2015

4. Tech Trend #1
Coding becoming
common knowledge

5. Reading and writing basic markup languages are no
longer held solely by programmers & developers.
What is it?

6. Markup
languages
Markup languages are used
to control the presentation
and structure of the content
*a word on JavaScript
Programming
languages
Programming languages are
used to create instructions for
a machine to execute &
automate tasks
VS
What is it?

7. HTML defines
content
What is it?
CSS defines
presentation
JavaScript defines
behaviour
Images and definition courtesy of Ladies Learning Code

8. Why is this important?
You’ll need it.
More programs are
becoming dependant
on users having this
knowledge (CMS,
CRM)
Save time
& money
No need to hire
experts/consultants to
fix a relatively easy job.
It will become a
common asset
Much like experience
in using MS Office is
now a requirement
to work in an office
<code>

9. Resources
CodeAcademy.com Code.org/learn LadiesLearningCode.com

10. Tech Trend #2
More interest in
hybrid cloud models

11. Storing sensitive information on an internal server and
non-sensitive information on the cloud.
What is it?

12. Why is this important?
Keep sensitive data
in-house and in Canada
Take advantage of cloud
computing benefits

13. Resources
What is the hybrid cloud and how
can it help my organization?
techsoupcanada.ca/community/blog/
what-is-a-hybrid-cloud-and-how-can-it-help-my-
nonprofit-organization
Canadian Privacy Law, Cloud
Computing and How it Applies to
Nonprofits
techsoupcanada.ca/community/blog/
cloud_privacy_law

14. Tech Trend #3
More emphasis on
your (true) owned media

15. Web property that your organization controls and is unique
to your brand (website, publications, emails)*.
*Wait, what about social media?
What is it?
ENEWSLETTER

16. What is it?
Owned
media
True owned media is web
property that you create and
control. You control what data
is being collected (input) and
exported (output).
Earned & Paid
Media
Earned media is when
someone uses their web
property to promote you.
Paid media is when you
leverage a 3rd party channel to
promote your media.
VS

17. Why is this important?
CASL changes the
game
Social media platforms will
continue to change their rules,
for better or for worse

18. Resources
What nonprofits need to
know about CASL
techsoupcanada.ca/community/
blog/CASL
Litmus.com/resources
Go-to resource for email
marketing
Idealware.org
idealware.org/reports/
implementing-new-website-
planning-your-approach

19. Tech Trend #4
Advanced
data analytics

20. Collecting data has never been easier. Emphasis is now
on using & interpreting data to inform communications
and strategies.
What is it?

21. Why is this important?
Targeted
communications
Program
measurement and
performance
Better
forecasting

22. Resources
Zoho Reports
Zoho.com/reports
Jane vs Tierney: Dashboard Tool
Challenge
techsoupcanada.ca/community/blog
/jane-vs-tierney/dashboard-challenge

23. Tech Trend #5
Beacon based
technology

24. A wireless sensor network that can be used for
monitoring, tracking and routing.
What is it?

25. What about Wi-Fi?
Specs Bluetooth Wi-Fi
Frequency 2.4 GHz Up to 5 GHz
Cost Low High
Range 5-30 meters
32 meters indoors and 95
meters outdoors
Hardware
Bluetooth adaptor in
devices
Wireless adaptors in devices,
wireless routers and/or wireless
access points
Power consumption Low High
Ease of use Fairly simple
More complex (hardware and
software requires configuration)
Source: http://www.diffen.com/difference/Bluetooth_vs_Wifi

26. Why is this important?
Advanced supporter
engagement
Be creative with resource tracking
(ie. iPad and tablet tracking)

27. Resources
Topi.com
Topi is a free mobile networking
app for events and offers beacons
(iOS, Android compatible)
Estimote.com
Estimote offers beacons and
stickers compatible with iOS and
Android devices

28. Design Trend #1
Infinite scrolling

29. Content on a webpage are loaded as you scroll (no
pagination).
What is it?

30. Why is this important?
This highly trendy function may be well-suited for your purposes, but
know the advantages and disadvantages before you implement.
Mobile friendly
Manage large
amounts of data
Keeps people
engaged
No footer
Overwhelming &
exhaustive data
Loss of
control (UX)

31. Resources
Infinite Scroll Plugin for
WordPress
wordpress.org/plugins/infinite-scroll
Google’s “Infinite scroll search-
friendly recommendations”
googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.ca/201
4/02/infinite-scroll-search-friendly.html

32. Design Trend #2
Minimal & clean
design is in

33. A style for designing user interfaces (UI) that emphasizes
simple elements, white space and flat colours.
What is it?
FLAT & SEMI-FLAT DESIGN SKEUOMORPHIC DESIGN

34. Why is this important?
Better user
experience (UX)
Focus your
call-to-actions
Attract & maintain
certain audiences
About
Donate
Contact

35. Example: Comparing two tech websites

36. Example: Comparing two tech websites

37. Resources
FreebiesBug.com Canva.com

38. Design Trend #3
Being intentional
about typefaces

39. Embracing typography, the art and technique of arranging typefaces
(ie., fonts) in order to make text more appealing, and the
abandonment of “default” typefaces.
What is it?
FONTFACE: PROXIMA NOVATYPOGRAPHY

40. Why is this important?
Very trendy (appeals to
younger generation &
certain audiences)
A good design approach
for sectors that don’t have
an inherent “icon”/”image”

41. Resources
FontSquirrel.com Google.com/Fonts

42. Design Trend #4
Death to the “stock” photo

43. Images and photos that are typically purchased by
organizations for use in publications. Infamously
known for looking “staged”.
What is it?

44. Why is this important?
Stock photos appear insincere and chances are the same image is
used by another charity. Supporters much prefer real photos and real
stories.

45. See it in action

46. Toronto Net Tuesday
Connect, chat and learn. Learn more at
www.techsoupcanada.ca
Toronto Net
Tuesday
Connect, chat and learn.
Learn more at
www.techsoupcanada.ca
See it in action

47. Resources
StartUpStockPhotos.comLifeOfPix.comPexels.com

48. Design Trend #5
Embedding digital
storytelling everywhere

49. Incorporating digital storytelling (the combination of
different media elements to tell a story) in
mediums/channels outside of the norm (video).
What is it?
ANNUAL AND RESEARCH REPORTS

50. Why is this important?
Great for branding Resonate more with
supporters
Stand out from the
crowd
Your
nonprofit

51. Resources
Intro to Digital Storytelling
youtube.com/watch?v=kfjskBVGvVs
Storymaking Resources
techsoup.org/community/community-
initiatives/storymakers-resources

52. What are your thoughts
on these trends?