Every nonprofit is looking to do more with less. The good news? Smart automation can help you stretch your resources without stretching your team thin.
But here’s the catch: not everything should be automated. Let’s break down what high-performing nonprofits automate first—and what they wisely keep in human hands.
✅ Automate These First
1. Routine IT Tasks
From system updates to security patching, these are essential—but boring. Automating them keeps your devices secure and up-to-date without dragging your IT staff into the weeds every week.
2. Data Backups
Manual backups are a gamble. Automate your data backup schedules so you’re protected from ransomware, human error, or accidental deletions—without needing someone to remember every Friday.
3. Donor Acknowledgements & Receipts
Set up automatic thank-you emails and tax receipts. It saves time and helps you stay consistent and compliant. Just make sure they still sound warm and personal.
4. Cybersecurity Alerts & Monitoring
Automated SIEM tools (like the ones ETTE offers) catch threats in real time, 24/7. They’re your digital watchdogs—alerting your team only when something needs attention.
👤 What Humans Still Do Best
1. Strategic IT Planning
No bot can build your tech roadmap. That’s where your Virtual CIO (vCIO) or IT consultant adds real value—aligning technology with your mission and goals.
2. High-Touch Donor Communications
Big donations? Sensitive partnerships? These need a human voice. Automation opens the door, but relationships grow from personal conversations.
3. Crisis Response
When something goes wrong—like a phishing attack or a data breach—you want a real person guiding the response. Automation can alert you, but it shouldn’t lead the recovery.
4. Staff Training
Yes, reminders can be automated. But real change happens when your team gets it. Invest in live training sessions where people can ask questions and learn together.
Smart Automation Is About Balance
Nonprofits that thrive in 2025 aren’t automating everything—they’re automating intentionally. Use tech to handle the predictable so your people can focus on what really matters: impact, relationships, and community.
Need help figuring out what to automate first? That’s what we’re here for. At ETTE, we help nonprofits across Washington, DC secure their systems, streamline operations, and grow with confidence.
Let’s talk.