NTC Blog

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) hosted by NTEN in the vibrant city of Portland. It was truly a wonderful way to kickstart the year, filled with energy and excitement. The weather in Portland was gorgeous, the donuts were of course delicious, but the feelings and inspiration I walked away with was the best part of my experience. This was my first conference representing my business publicly and I’m happy to say it reaffirmed that I am on the right path.

Attending NTC as a new business owner was an unforgettable experience. As I navigated the busy conference centre and connected with people I haven’t seen in a long time, I couldn't help but feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity to be there representing my own venture. Every interaction, every session attended, reinforced my belief that I had made the right decision in choosing this career path. It also reminded me how incredibly lucky we all are to be surrounded by an extraordinary community in this ecosystem. The supportive atmosphere, the wealth of knowledge shared, and the genuine connections formed served as fuel for what I do. 

Technology accessibility emerged as a key theme of the conference, highlighted by insightful keynote and breakaway sessions. I was particularly inspired by Anasuya Sengupta's words on issues surrounding digital inclusion and the democratization of the Internet. I was reminded that technology serves as a powerful tool for socioeconomic development, offering opportunities for education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and communication. By providing access to information and resources previously unavailable or difficult to obtain, technology can bridge the gap between the privileged and underserved populations, enabling individuals to participate more fully in the global economy and society. Moreover, technology facilitates innovation and entrepreneurship, empowering communities to address local challenges and create sustainable solutions. Closing the digital divide not only promotes social equity but also unlocks the immense potential of millions of people, driving progress and prosperity for generations to come.

This discourse brought me back to my roots of studying International Development in undergrad and my time working in the community of Alexandra while living in South Africa. Technology = opportunity. While with Grassroot Soccer I was able to witness how an SMS-based support line for youth, Coach Tumi, made a profound impact on young people seeking help and information. I also saw the popularity of mobile devices for things like job searches or finding educational opportunities, as access to computers and laptops was more difficult to manage. These experiences serve as a poignant reminder of the privilege of easy access to accessible technology —a convenience often taken for granted. Recognizing the transformative potential of such simple yet essential tools reinforces the importance of initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to technology for all. Needless to say, I was pretty moved by these discussions.

Back to NTC - Another exciting takeaway was the presence of new faces and emerging players in the nonprofit technology space. While familiar names like Blackbaud and Microsoft were represented, I was thrilled to see increased representation from Salesforce and newcomers like ServiceNow.org. If you’re like me then you may have noticed a recent flight of talent from Salesforce to ServiceNow in the nonprofit team. This is because ServiceNow is getting intentional about their desire to support nonprofits with platform offerings to enhance their constituent experience. What I learned is that the ServiceNow platform is more than IT/helpdesk workflow management. ServiceNow offers a unified platform that integrates disparate systems and data sources, as well as enhanced experiences like portals, forms, and other pre-built applications. This provides the potential of consolidating tools and creating a streamlined integration strategy with less maintenance. Strategies like this mean organizations can look at reducing overall bespoke builds or the use of complicated middleware solutions, which enable leaner operations and an overall increase in efficiency and effectiveness. This is definitely a technology I intend to keep an eye on, so stay tuned for more!

The last big takeaway from the conference was seeing shared experiences as a common thread among attendees. Conversations with fellow consultants, customers, and attendees reinforced the idea that collaboration transcends the tools we use. I had the privilege of attending a dine around dinner with new friends from NTEN, Amazon, and other impact-oriented businesses. Attending this dinner I learned none of us shared similar work experiences or technology usage. Despite our differences in career paths and technological background, we found common ground in our shared commitment to enabling mission-driven organizations. This experience highlighted the richness and depth of perspectives within the sector, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and collaboration in addressing complex social challenges. It served as a powerful reminder that while our methods and tools may vary, our shared dedication to serving others unites us in a common purpose. It’s easy to lose sight of this when you’re in the depth of a tough project or alone in your home office. For any nonprofit organizations considering attending this conference, I highly recommend it for the connection with others alone. You will be able to walk away with lessons learned or solutions your own organization can use, regardless of the differences you have with other attendees.

As I wrap up my reflections on NTC, I am grateful for the big picture reflections, the connections made, and the sense of community embraced. I am also thankful for believing in myself and pursuing the launch of Intended. Hope to see you next year at the conference in Baltimore!