Cloud Hosting

By Cody Switzer

Is the future of nonprofit technology in the cloud?

Nine in 10 nonprofits already have one system hosted online, according to a recent survey of 780 nonprofits by the Nonprofit Technology Network. But its not ideal for every organization.

Its not like one-size-fits-all, says Patrick Callihan, executive director of NPower Pennsylvania, a nonprofit that provides technology services to other organizations. Its technology.

Whats right for your nonprofit? Mr. Callihan and other nonprofit information-technology leaders outline the risks and benefits of moving systems to the cloud.

Cloud services are housed on virtual servers and can move quickly between a providers physical machines, which means that outside experts can quickly manage disruptions and minimize the time staff members typically lose when their own servers crash, says Mr. Callihan.

Many cloud services bill on a per-user basis, so they can work well for small organizations that need only a few accounts. You also know exactly what you will be paying each month for services like e-mail and know how much to budget, says Mr. Callihan.

About 59 percent of people in the NTEN survey cited security, privacy, control, and access, as concerns about the cloud. But some cloud services may be more secure than systems that are managed in-house. Few nonprofits have a security expert on staff, but cloud services could have dozens of people who work to keep the data safe.

If you work at a small nonprofit, your days are already filled. With cloud services, your IT staff can spend less time dealing with hardware and more time working on your software and processes.

The cloud is one way to keep your work focused on your mission and not have to worry about keeping a server alive, says Holly Ross, Nonprofit Technology Networks executive director.

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Moving to the Cloud: Pros and Cons