Enhancing Your Moodle Experience with Plugins
Did you know you can deploy Moodle directly on Microsoft Azure? This allows nonprofits and educational institutions to take advantage of cloud scalability, security, and even use available Azure credits—making Moodle a cost-effective and powerful solution. Moodle, as an open-source learning management system, is incredibly powerful right out of the box. However, its true potential shines when you tap into the wide variety of plugins available. These plugins allow administrators and educators to extend Moodle's functionality, enhancing both teaching and learning experiences. In this blog, we'll explore some of the most useful plugins for Moodle and how they can help you customize your site to better meet your educational goals. 1. Essential Moodle Plugins for Administrators When managing a Moodle site, administrators can benefit from a variety of plugins that streamline processes, improve security, and enhance user experience. Attendance: This plugin allows instructors to track student attendance with ease. It provides a simple interface for marking attendance and even allows reporting by session or student. Backup and Restore: Though Moodle has built-in backup features, this plugin makes it more user-friendly by offering advanced options such as scheduled backups and backup tracking. Moodle Mobile App (Mobile Services): This plugin enhances the Moodle experience on mobile devices, ensuring that all users, whether students or educators, have a seamless mobile experience. 2. Plugins to Boost Learning and Engagement Plugins also allow educators to create more dynamic and engaging learning environments. Here are a few that are sure to boost interaction and learning outcomes. Quizventure: This gamification plugin transforms Moodle quizzes into an engaging game experience. Students answer quiz questions to shoot moving targets, creating a fun and interactive way to reinforce learning. H5P: H5P allows you to create rich, interactive content such as quizzes, games, videos, and presentations. The plugin integrates seamlessly into Moodle, enabling educators to design more engaging lessons. Certificate: This plugin automates the creation and issuance of certificates. Customize templates to match your organization's branding, and easily award certificates to students upon course completion. 3. Collaboration and Communication Plugins Moodle is great for individual learning, but it's also a strong tool for collaboration and communication. Here are a couple of plugins that can help. BigBlueButton: An open-source video conferencing plugin, BigBlueButton integrates directly into Moodle, making it easy for instructors to host live sessions, record lectures, and engage with students in real-time. Forum Plus: This enhanced forum plugin adds additional features like discussion tracking and more intuitive navigation, improving the online discussion experience for learners and instructors. 4. Customization Plugins for a Personalized Moodle Every Moodle site is unique, and many plugins can help tailor the platform to the specific needs of your users. Theme Selector: Want to change the look and feel of your Moodle site? The Theme Selector plugin allows you to choose from various themes and even create your own, giving your Moodle site a distinct, personalized design. User Profile Fields: This plugin lets you add custom fields to user profiles, enabling you to collect the specific information you need from your learners, such as certifications, experience, or preferences. Conclusion Moodle's flexibility is one of its biggest strengths, and plugins are the key to unlocking that potential. Whether you're an administrator looking to streamline operations, an educator hoping to engage students, or a learner in need of a personalized experience, there's a plugin for every need. By carefully selecting the right plugins, you can enhance your Moodle site and create a more effective and enjoyable learning environment.Understanding the Fundamentals of AI Concepts for Nonprofits
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a cornerstone of modern technology, driving innovation across various sectors. Nonprofits, too, can harness the power of AI to enhance their operations and amplify their impact. In this blog, we'll explore fundamental AI concepts, common AI workloads, Microsoft's Responsible AI policies, and the tools and services available through Azure AI, all tailored for the nonprofit sector. Understanding AI Workloads AI workloads refer to the different types of tasks that AI systems can perform. Here are some common AI workloads relevant to nonprofits: Machine Learning: This involves training a computer model to make predictions and draw conclusions from data. Nonprofits can use machine learning to predict donor behavior, optimize fundraising strategies, and analyze program outcomes. Computer Vision: This capability allows software to interpret the world visually through cameras, video, and images. Applications include identifying and tracking wildlife for conservation efforts or analyzing images to assess disaster damage. Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP enables computers to understand and respond to human language. Nonprofits can use NLP for sentiment analysis of social media posts, language translation for multilingual communities, and developing conversational AI like chatbots for donor engagement. Anomaly Detection: This involves automatically detecting errors or unusual activity. It is useful for fraud detection in financial transactions, monitoring network security, and ensuring data integrity. Conversational AI: This refers to the capability of a software agent to engage in conversations with humans. Examples include chatbots and virtual assistants that can answer questions, provide recommendations, and perform tasks, enhancing donor and beneficiary interactions. Responsible AI Practices As AI technology continues to evolve, it is crucial to ensure it is developed and used responsibly. Microsoft's Responsible AI policies emphasize the importance of fairness, reliability, safety, privacy, security, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability in AI systems. These principles guide the development and deployment of AI solutions to ensure they benefit everyone and do not cause harm. To learn more about Microsoft Responsible AI Practices click here: Empowering responsible AI practices | Microsoft AI Azure AI Services for Nonprofits Microsoft Azure offers a suite of AI services that enable nonprofits to build intelligent applications. Some key services include: Azure Machine Learning: A comprehensive platform for building, training, and deploying machine learning models. It supports a wide range of machine learning frameworks and tools, helping nonprofits analyze data and make informed decisions. To learn more or get started with Azure Machine Learning click here: Azure Machine Learning - ML as a Service | Microsoft Azure Azure AI Bot Service: A service for building conversational AI applications. It provides tools for creating, testing, and deploying chatbots that can interact with users through various channels, improving donor engagement and support services. To learn more or get started with Azure AI Bot Service click here: Azure AI Bot Service | Microsoft Azure Azure Cognitive Services: A collection of APIs that enable developers to add AI capabilities to their applications. These services include vision, speech, language, and decision-making APIs, which can be used for tasks like image recognition, language translation, and sentiment analysis. To learn more about the various Cognitive Service please click here: Azure AI Services – Using AI for Intelligent Apps | Microsoft Azure Conclusion AI has the potential to transform the nonprofit sector by enhancing efficiency, driving innovation, and providing valuable insights. By understanding AI workloads, adhering to responsible AI practices, and leveraging Azure AI services, nonprofits can unlock the full potential of AI to better serve their communities and achieve their missions. Embrace the power of AI to take your nonprofit organization to new heights and make a greater impact. For a deeper dive into the fundamental concepts of AI, please visit the module Fundamental AI Concepts. This resource will provide you with essential insights and a solid foundation to enhance your knowledge in the ever-evolving field of artificial intelligence.Video Tutorial: How to Migrate Your WordPress Site to Azure for Nonprofits
Before you migrate your WordPress site, ensure you have deployed a WordPress site on Azure. If you're unfamiliar with this process, scroll down to the reference section at the bottom of this blog. There is an article that will guide you through creating a WordPress site in Azure, complete with a helpful video. Why Azure for Nonprofits? Azure offers various benefits for nonprofits, including cost savings, scalability, and robust security features. Migrating your WordPress site to Azure can help you leverage these advantages to better serve your community. Step-by-Step Guide Access the WordPress Admin Portal: Go to your personal WordPress site and navigate to the admin portal by adding /wp-admin to your site's URL. Install the WP Migration Plugin: Select Plugins > Add New. Search for "WP Migration" and press enter. Install and activate the "All-in-One WP Migration and Backup" plugin. Export Your Website: Click on the plugin itself where it says "All-in-One WP Migration". Select Export > Export Site to File. Download the exported file. Access the WordPress Site on Azure: Navigate to the admin portal of your WordPress site on Azure by adding /wp-admin to your site's URL. Install the WP Migration Plugin on Azure: Select Plugins > Add New. Search for "WP Migration". Install and activate the plugin. Import Your Website: Click on the plugin and select Import. Choose Import from File and select the file you downloaded earlier. Handling File Size Limits If you encounter a file size limit error (WordPress has a 50 MB limit), you can either purchase the unlimited extension or manually increase the limit: Access Azure Portal: Go to your Azure portal and type in "App Services". Select your app service. Use SSH to Modify File Size Limits: Scroll down to Deployment Tools and click on SSH. Click on Go to access the backend of the app service. Create a file in the home site wwwroot directory named .user.ini. Edit the File: Use the command nano /home/site/wwwroot/.user.ini. Add the following lines to increase the upload and post max size: upload_max_filesize = 1G post_max_size = 1G Save the file by pressing Ctrl + X, then Y, and Enter. Verify and Import: Refresh your WordPress site on Azure. Import the file again, and it should bypass the previous limit. Final Steps Once the migration is complete, you may want to delete the .user.ini file you created earlier. Use the command: rm /home/site/wwwroot/.user.ini References techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/nonprofittechies/deploying-a-wordpress-site-on-microsoft-azure-a-guide-for-non-profits-with-video/4415254?previewMessage=true Resolving Host Restrictions on File Sizes Exceeding 50 MB in WordPress on Azure for Nonprofits | Microsoft Community HubKalen's Corner: How Nonprofits Can Use Azure Repos
Welcome back to Kalen's Corner, where we delve into Microsoft's comprehensive suite of tools for nonprofits, with a particular emphasis on gaming-related or gaming-adjacent tools. In our previous discussion, we examined Azure Boards in DevOps. Today, we will focus on Azure Repos and its potential to enhance collaboration in nonprofit projects. Overview of Azure Repos Azure Repos offers version control tools to manage your code. It supports Git (distributed) and Team Foundation Version Control (centralized). Azure Repos enables you to track code changes, collaborate with your team, and maintain a project history. Git repositories in Azure Repos offer a robust environment for managing your source code. They enable branching, merging, and even pull requests, which facilitate code reviews and collaboration. TFVC, on the other hand, is more suited for teams that prefer a centralized approach to version control, where changes are checked into a single repository. How Nonprofits Can Leverage Azure Repos Nonprofits often have tight budgets and limited resources, making efficient project management crucial. Azure Repos helps teams collaborate on code by tracking every change and streamlining the process. Here’s how nonprofits can use Azure Repos for their projects: Collaborative Code Development: Azure Repos facilitates collaborative development by allowing multiple team members to work on the same project simultaneously. This is particularly useful for nonprofits developing software or maintaining websites, where contributions from different team members need to be integrated efficiently. Version Control: With Azure Repos, nonprofits can maintain a detailed history of their codebase, making it easy to revert to previous versions if needed. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of projects and ensuring that any errors can be quickly rectified. Pull Requests: Azure Repos' pull request feature allows team members to review each other's code before it is merged into the main branch. This ensures that high-quality code is maintained and that any potential issues are identified early. Branch Management: Teams can create branches to work on different features or fixes without disrupting the main codebase. This is particularly useful for managing large projects with multiple contributors. Integration with Azure DevOps: Azure Repos integrates seamlessly with other Azure DevOps services, such as Azure Pipelines and Azure Boards, providing a cohesive environment for managing the entire project lifecycle. Accessing Azure Repos: Security and User Roles To ensure secure and efficient use of Azure Repos, access is granted based on predefined user roles within your Azure DevOps organization. Administrators can assign permissions such as read, write, or branch management to individuals or teams, tailoring access to project needs while safeguarding sensitive code. Multi-factor authentication and integration with Azure Active Directory further enhance security, guaranteeing that only authorized users can interact with repositories. This structured approach ensures that nonprofits maintain robust control over their codebase while fostering seamless collaboration among team members. Getting Started with Azure Repos To help your nonprofit get started with Azure Repos, here are some practical tips: Set Up Your Repository: Begin by creating a new repository in Azure Repos. You can choose between Git and TFVC, depending on your team's preference. Initialize the repository with a README file to provide an overview of your project. Organize Your Branches: Establish a branching strategy that suits your workflow. Common strategies include 'main' for stable code, 'develop' for ongoing development, and feature branches for specific tasks. Commit Regularly: Encourage your team to commit their changes frequently. This ensures that work is regularly saved, and that the repository reflects the most up-to-date state of the project. Utilize Pull Requests: Make pull requests a mandatory step for merging code into the main branch. This helps maintain code quality and encourages team collaboration through code reviews. Automate Workflows: Integrate Azure Pipelines to automate your build and deployment processes. This reduces manual effort and ensures that your code is continuously tested and deployed. Leverage Azure Boards: Use Azure Boards to track work items, plan sprints, and manage your project's progress. Linking work items to commits and pull requests provides a clear view of the development lifecycle. Code for Good: A Success Story Code for Good, a nonprofit focused on social software solutions, created a platform to connect volunteers with community service opportunities. They used Azure Repos to efficiently coordinate their team of developers. With Git repositories and strategic branching, they managed development cycles and maintained code quality through pull requests. Azure Repos seamlessly integrated with Azure Pipelines for automated build and deployment, and with Azure Boards for clear project tracking. This enabled Code for Good to stay on track and meet their goals, successfully launching a platform that has connected thousands of volunteers with meaningful opportunities through effective collaboration via Azure Repos. Conclusion Azure Repos offers a flexible version control solution beneficial for nonprofits. It supports collaborative development, maintains code integrity, and integrates with other Azure DevOps tools, helping nonprofits achieve their project goals efficiently. I hope this blog has shed light on how Azure Repos can boost your nonprofit's collaboration. Stay tuned for the next Kalen's Corner, where we'll explore more Microsoft tools and services for nonprofits. Happy coding!How Nonprofits Can Effectively Utilize Azure Cost Management Tools
Understanding Azure Cost Management Tools Azure Cost Management tools are a suite of services provided by Microsoft Azure to help organizations gain insights into their cloud spending, set budgets, and optimize resource usage. These tools are designed to empower users to make informed decisions about their cloud infrastructure, ensuring alignment with financial goals. Key Features of Azure Cost Management Tools Cost Analysis: Provides detailed insights into resource usage and spending patterns, helping nonprofits identify areas for optimization. Budgets: Allows organizations to set spending thresholds and receive notifications when they're approaching or exceeding limits. Recommendations: Offers actionable suggestions to right-size resources, reduce waste, and take advantage of available discounts. Export and Reporting: Enables users to generate customized reports and export cost data for further analysis. Integration with Azure Advisor: Combines cost insights with best-practice recommendations for performance, security, and efficiency. The Importance of Budget Tracking and Optimization For nonprofits, effective budget tracking and optimization can be the difference between advancing their mission and facing financial constraints. Here are some reasons why these practices are critical: Enhancing Financial Transparency: Transparency in financial operations builds trust among donors, stakeholders, and beneficiaries. Azure Cost Management tools allow nonprofits to clearly demonstrate how cloud expenditures align with organizational goals. Maximizing Resources: By identifying underutilized or unnecessary resources, nonprofits can redirect funds to mission-critical activities. For example, if a nonprofit discovers that unused virtual machines are incurring costs, they can deallocate those resources and reinvest the savings. Facilitating Strategic Planning: Budget tracking helps nonprofits forecast future expenses and allocate funds more strategically. With Azure's budgeting capabilities, organizations can set realistic financial goals and monitor progress in real-time. Integrating Azure Cost Management Tools with Financial Systems For nonprofits already using financial systems like QuickBooks, Dynamics 365, or other accounting platforms, integrating Azure Cost Management tools can further streamline operations. Seamless Data Flow Azure's reporting and export features allow nonprofits to integrate cost data directly into their financial systems. This ensures a unified view of expenses, making it easier to prepare budgets and reconcile accounts. Enhanced Collaboration Financial teams can work alongside IT departments to create comprehensive strategies for budget allocation and cloud optimization. Shared dashboards and reports enhance visibility across departments. Streamlined Grant Reporting For nonprofits that rely on grants, accurate cost tracking is essential. Integration with financial systems ensures that cloud expenses are correctly categorized, enabling organizations to meet grant reporting requirements with ease. Conclusion Azure Cost Management tools are more than just a resource for tracking expenses—they are a pathway to financial empowerment for nonprofit organizations. By leveraging these tools, nonprofits can optimize their cloud spending, enhance transparency, and redirect savings to their core mission. Whether through real-time budgeting, actionable recommendations, or seamless integration with financial systems, Microsoft Azure provides nonprofits with the means to maximize their impact. For more detailed guidance, nonprofits can refer to the Azure Cost Management Documentation and explore best practices for optimizing cloud spending. For nonprofits aiming to do more with less, embracing Azure Cost Management tools is not just a technological step forward—it’s a commitment to their mission and the communities they serve.Deploying a WordPress Site on Microsoft Azure: A Guide for Non-Profits (With Video Tutorial)
This guide is particularly beneficial for non-profits, as a strong online presence is essential for sharing your mission, attracting donors, and engaging with volunteers. Azure offers an affordable, secure, and scalable solution, allowing non-profits to focus on their impact while Azure handles the infrastructure. By the end of this session, you'll understand the key steps for deployment and how Azure can support your non-profit's digital transformation. Getting Started with Azure First, ensure you have an Azure subscription or an Azure account. If you don't have one, you can sign up at portal.azure.com. Step-by-Step Deployment Process Access Azure Marketplace Go to the Azure portal and click on "Create a resource." Search for "WordPress" in the Azure Marketplace. Choose Deployment Method There are various ways to deploy WordPress, but we recommend using Azure App Service. Click on "Create" and select the standard plan. Configure Your WordPress Site Resource Group: Select an existing resource group or create a new one. This is a container for all resources related to your website. Region: Choose the region closest to you for better performance. For example, select "Central US." Site Name: Give your site a name. Select a Hosting Plan Free: Trial version. Basic: Suitable for hobby projects. Standard: Recommended for production sites. Set Up WordPress Credentials Create a username and password for your WordPress admin portal. Review and Create Fill in the required details and click "Review and create." After validation, click "Create" to deploy your site. Additional Features and Considerations Managed Identity: Securely access Azure services without storing secrets. Email with Azure Communication Services: Send bulk emails efficiently. Azure Content Delivery Network (CDN): Distribute content globally for faster load times. Azure Front Door: Optimize website access by directing traffic through the fastest routes. Azure Blob Storage: Store large files like images and videos without slowing down your site. Networking and Virtual Networks: Enhance security by isolating resources. Staging Environment: Test changes before deploying them to your live site. High Availability: Ensure your site remains accessible even if one zone goes down (available with premium plans). Tags: Categorize resources for better management and reporting. Reference Once your site is created, you can access it and start customizing. You may also want to add a custom domain to your WordPress site. For more detailed guides, check out our follow-up articles on deploying your WordPress site. Deploying Your Nonprofit's Website on Azure (Part 2) | Microsoft Community Hub Deploying Your Nonprofit's Website on Azure (Part 3) | Microsoft Community Hub Pricing Calculator | Microsoft AzureDeploying Your Web App with CI/CD through Azure Portal
Azure App Service makes deploying web apps straightforward and efficient. Whether you're a nonprofit or an individual developer, here's how to deploy your code using CI/CD through the Azure Portal. CI/CD is a crucial foundation for modern software development processes, combining the practices of continuous integration and continuous delivery/deployment. Step-by-Step Instructions: Log in to Azure Portal: Visit the Azure Portal: https://portal.azure.com Use your credentials to log in. Navigate to Your App Service: Locate and select your App Service resource. Go to Deployment Center: In the left-side menu, click on Deployment>Deployment Center. Choose Your Deployment Source: Select the method that suits your setup: Local Git: Push your code directly to Azure's Git repository. GitHub: Connect your GitHub repository for seamless, continuous deployment. ZIP Deployment: Upload a ZIP file containing your application’s code. Complete Deployment: Follow the on-screen steps for the selected source and deploy your app. Once you are done, select Save. Test Your Deployment: Once the deployment is successful, navigate to your Web App URL to verify the deployment. Connect to Your Web App: Go to the resource in the Azure Portal. Select "Overview" to find the URL of your Web App. Open the URL in your browser to see your deployed application. Conclusion By following these steps, you can efficiently deploy your web app using CI/CD through the Azure Portal. This setup ensures that your application is always up-to-date with the latest code changes. Additional Resources Deployment best practices - Azure App Service | Microsoft Learn Tutorial: PHP app with MySQL and Redis - Azure App Service | Microsoft LearnDeploying a Web App on Azure App Service
At the heart of this post is Kairos IMS, an innovative Impact Management System designed to empower human-serving nonprofits and social impact organizations. Co-developed by the Urban League of Broward County and our trusted technology partner, Impactful, Kairos IMS reduces administrative burdens, enhances holistic care, and enables organizations to leverage data for increased agility and seamless service delivery. In this blog series, we’ll take a closer look at the powerful technologies that fuel Kairos IMS, from Azure services to security frameworks, offering insight into how modern infrastructure supports mission-driven impact. Click here to learn more. Azure App Service is a powerful platform for building, deploying, and scaling web apps. It supports multiple languages and frameworks, making it a versatile choice for developers. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of deploying a web app on Azure App Service. Step 1: Prerequisites Before you start, ensure you have the following: An Azure account with an active subscription. If you don't have one, you can create a free account. Your web app code ready for deployment. Visual Studio or any other development environment you prefer. Step 2: Create an App Service Log in to the Azure Portal: Go to portal.azure.com and sign in with your Azure account Create a Resource: Click on "Create a resource" and select "Web App." Creating Your Web App: Subscription: Choose your subscription. Resource Group: Select an existing resource group or create a new one. App Name: Enter a unique name for your app. Publish: Choose "Code" if you're deploying code directly, or "Docker Container" if you're using a container. Runtime Stack: Select the runtime stack that matches your web app (e.g., .NET, Node.js, Python). Region: Choose the region closest to your users. Pricing Plans: When creating your Web App, Azure will also ask you to create or select an App Service Plan, which defines the pricing tier and performance level for your app. Finish the steps and click "Review + create." 4. Completing Deployment: You will see a message letting you know your deployment is complete. Step 3: Deploy Your Web App Deployment Center: Once your deployment is complete, click on "Go to Resources" and navigate to the "Deployment Center" in your App Service. Source Control: Choose your source control method (e.g., GitHub, Bitbucket, Azure Repos). 3. Build Provider: Select the build provider (e.g., GitHub Actions, Azure Pipelines). 4. Configure Settings: Follow the prompts to configure your deployment settings. This includes connecting your repository and setting up continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. Step 4: Monitor and Scale Your App Monitor: Use Azure Monitor to keep track of your app's performance and health. Set up alerts to notify you of any issues. To learn more about Azure Monitor, please visit: Monitor Azure App Service - Azure App Service | Microsoft Learn Scale: Azure App Service allows you to scale your app based on demand. Navigate to the "Scale up" or "Scale out" options to adjust your app's resources. To learn more about scaling, please visit: Scale up features and capacities - Azure App Service | Microsoft Learn Step 5: Manage Your App App Settings: Configure application settings, connection strings, and environment variables in the "Configuration" section. To learn more about configuring your app settings, please visit: Configure an App Service App - Azure App Service | Microsoft Learn SSL Certificates: Secure your app with SSL certificates. Navigate to "TLS/SSL settings" to configure SSL bindings. To learn more about SSL Certificates, please visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/app-service/configure-ssl-bindings Conclusion Deploying a web app on Azure App Service is a streamlined process that integrates well with various development tools and workflows. By following these steps, you can easily deploy, monitor, and scale your web app, ensuring a robust and reliable online presence.Introducing Kairos: A New Era of Case Management for Nonprofits
Why Kairos, Why Now? Nonprofits have long struggled with fragmented systems, manual processes, and limited access to enterprise-grade technology. Kairos changes that. Built on Microsoft Azure and designed specifically for nonprofits, Kairos offers: Streamlined Case Management: From intake to closure, every step is digitized and intuitive Data-Driven Insights: Real-time dashboards and analytics help teams make smarter decisions. Custom Workflows: Tailored to the unique needs of each organization, not the other way around. Collaboration at Scale: Seamless coordination across departments, partners, and service providers. And it’s not just theory. During the recent soft launch, over 70 Urban Leaguers from 30 affiliates joined a live demo led by the Urban League of Broward County's own Daela Holness, showcasing how Kairos is already transforming service delivery. Built by the Community, for the Community This isn’t a top-down tech deployment. It’s a co-creation effort led by voices from across the nonprofit ecosystem. Our team recognized a critical need: nonprofits must own their data. Through deep conversations with nonprofit leaders and frontline staff, we envisioned a system that wouldn’t just manage cases—but empower entire organizations. Kairos was designed to serve every department, every program, and every team—so they can serve their communities faster, smarter, and more collaboratively. With Kairos, nonprofits can track families and services across programs, not in silos. That’s why we call it an impact management system—not just case management. It’s about seeing the full picture, breaking down barriers, and building stronger, more connected communities. What’s Next? This blog is just the beginning. We have published a series of deep dives into the technologies powering Kairos—from Azure services and Power BI dashboards to secure document management. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, a technologist, or a curious changemaker, there’s something here for you. Explore the Series Below is a link to over 20 blogs that will talks about the tech behind Kairos and how it fits into the broader nonprofit tech landscape. If you are just getting started in understanding technology, these will explain resources required for the application especially if you're considering the deployable model. Kairos IMS Blog Resources Take a look at the Kairos website to learn more.User Privileges and Permissions in Azure: A Guide for Nonprofits
At the heart of this post is Kairos IMS, an innovative Impact Management System designed to empower human-serving nonprofits and social impact organizations. Co-developed by the Urban League of Broward County and our trusted technology partner, Impactful, Kairos IMS reduces administrative burdens, enhances holistic care, and enables organizations to leverage data for increased agility and seamless service delivery. In this blog series, we’ll take a closer look at the powerful technologies that fuel Kairos IMS, from Azure services to security frameworks, offering insight into how modern infrastructure supports mission-driven impact. Click here to learn more. Understanding Azure User Privileges and Permissions Managing user access and permissions ensures that the right individuals have the correct level of access to resources. Here’s a simplified breakdown: Roles: Azure uses Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to assign specific roles to users, such as "Reader" (view-only access) or "Contributor" (edit access). Resource Groups: Permissions can be assigned to specific resource groups, allowing you to organize and control access based on projects or departments. Least Privilege Principle: Always provide users with the minimum permissions necessary to complete their tasks, enhancing security. Step-by-Step Guide: Accessing and Managing User Privileges in Azure 1. Sign in to Azure Begin by logging into your Azure Portal. Ensure you have the necessary administrative privileges to manage users. 2. Navigate to Microsoft Entra ID Microsoft Entra ID is the hub where you’ll manage users and permissions. In the left-hand menu, click "Microsoft Entra ID." 3. Add or Modify Users To add a new user: Select "Users" under "Manage." Click "New User" and fill in the user details, such as name and email. Assign an appropriate role (e.g., Reader or Contributor). To modify an existing user: Select the user from the list. Under "Assignments," adjust their roles or permissions as needed. 4. Assign Roles to Resource Groups Resource groups allow you to structure Azure resources. Assigning roles at this level simplifies permission management for specific projects: Click on "Resource Groups" in the Azure portal. Select a resource group and click "Access control (IAM)." Click "Add role assignment," choose the role, and assign it to a user or group. 5. Review and Audit Access Regularly review who has access to what. Use Azure’s built-in audit logs to track changes to user roles and permissions. Final Thoughts Nonprofits operate on trust, efficiency, and impact, and Azure empowers you to maintain these pillars with its extensive tools and security features. By effectively managing user privileges and permissions, you can ensure your team has the access they need without compromising sensitive data. Whether you're assigning roles to volunteers or ensuring your board members have secure access to donor information, Azure makes it possible—even for organizations with limited technical expertise. Start exploring Azure today and unlock the potential for even greater impact in your mission-driven work!
