From Handshakes to AI: Toastmasters Evolves for a Global Future
For over 100 years, Toastmasters International has helped millions conquer glossophobia—the fear of public speaking—through live practice, structured feedback, and a strong sense of community. From local club meetings to international conferences, the nonprofit has built a legacy of empowering voices. Now, it’s embracing a new chapter: AI-powered transformation. Tradition Meets Technology Toastmasters is proving that tech and tradition can thrive together. With clubs in 150 countries and a growing global membership, the organization is modernizing how it connects, supports, and grows. From streamlining call center operations with Microsoft Omnichannel to editing educational materials with Microsoft 365 Copilot, Toastmasters is leveraging digital tools to enhance—not replace—the human touch. “Toastmasters is about human beings connecting with human beings and technology is helping us do that.” — Jason Caldwell Club Quality and Member Support Manager Smarter Support, Seamless Experience With just 30 call center staff serving 270,000 members worldwide, Toastmasters needed a smarter way to manage interactions. Enter Dynamics 365 Customer Service and Copilot-enabled Contact Center—a unified platform that centralizes calls, chats, and emails, giving staff a complete view of each member’s journey. Generative AI now summarizes conversations, manages cases, and even frees staff from typing during calls, allowing them to focus fully on the person behind the question. “It connects all the dots, giving everybody the information they need when they need it.” — Jason Caldwell Self-Service That Scales Toastmasters also adopted Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, enabling members to join and pay dues online for the first time. This shift improves security, accuracy, and accessibility, especially for younger members who expect digital-first experiences. “It the twenty-first century, so we need to digitize the experience for our members.” — Heidi Hollenbeck, COO and CIO Meet Ora Tor: AI That Listens and Learns To further enhance member support, Toastmasters built Ora Tor, a generative AI chatbot using Microsoft Copilot Studio. Ora Tor draws from a rich knowledge base curated by staff, offering 24/7 answers to common questions and reducing barriers to engagement. Opening Doors to the Future Digitization isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about inclusion and growth. By offering a modern, tech-enabled experience, Toastmasters is attracting a younger, more diverse demographic, while making it easier for current members to stay involved. “Digitizing helps us open our doors to more people.” — Diana Passow, Marketing and Communications Director A Century of Impact, Powered by Innovation From handshakes to AI, Toastmasters is evolving to meet the needs of a global future. With Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Copilot technologies, the organization is scaling its mission, strengthening its brand, and continuing to empower speakers worldwide. To learn more about how they’re using AI to empower speakers worldwide, please visit: https://www.microsoft.com/en/customers/story/23396-toastmasters-international-dynamics-365-customer-serviceEmpowering Nonprofits with Microsoft Tools: A Comprehensive Guide
In today's digital age, nonprofits face unique challenges that require innovative solutions to maximize their impact. Microsoft offers a suite of tools designed to help nonprofits streamline their operations, enhance their programs, and achieve their missions more effectively. This blog will explore how nonprofits can leverage Microsoft tools to drive positive change and make a difference in their communities. Microsoft 365: Enhancing Collaboration and Productivity Microsoft 365 is a powerful suite of productivity tools that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more. Nonprofits can use Microsoft 365 to: Collaborate Effectively: Teams enables real-time communication and collaboration among staff and volunteers, regardless of their location. This is especially valuable for remote and hybrid work environments. Streamline Operations: Tools like SharePoint and OneDrive allow nonprofits to store, share, and manage documents securely, ensuring that everyone has access to the information they need. Enhance Productivity: With applications like Word and Excel, nonprofits can create and manage reports, budgets, and presentations efficiently. Azure: Empowering Nonprofits with Cloud Solutions Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing platform that offers a wide range of services, including virtual machines, databases, and AI capabilities. Nonprofits can leverage Azure to: Scale Programs: Azure's scalability allows nonprofits to expand their programs and services without worrying about infrastructure limitations. Analyze Data: Azure's data analytics tools enable nonprofits to gain insights from their data, helping them make informed decisions and measure their impact. Enhance Security: Azure provides robust security features to protect sensitive donor and program data, ensuring compliance with regulations. Business Central (part of Dynamics 365 suite): Enhancing Financial Management Business Central is an integrated business management solution that helps nonprofits manage their finances, operations, and projects. Nonprofits can use Business Central to: Manage Finances: Business Central provides tools for budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting, helping nonprofits maintain transparency and accountability. Streamline Operations: Nonprofits can use Business Central to manage inventory, procurement, and project management, ensuring efficient use of resources. Enhance Decision-Making: Business Central's analytics capabilities provide insights into financial performance and operational efficiency, enabling nonprofits to make informed decisions4. Field Service (part of Dynamics 365 suite): Improving Service Delivery Field Service is a Dynamics 365 application that helps nonprofits manage and optimize their service delivery. Nonprofits can use Field Service to: Schedule and Dispatch: Field Service enables nonprofits to schedule and dispatch field workers efficiently, ensuring timely delivery of services. Track Service Delivery: Nonprofits can use Field Service to track service delivery, monitor performance, and ensure quality. Enhance Customer Satisfaction: Field Service helps nonprofits provide better service to beneficiaries by optimizing workflows and improving communication. Microsoft Power Platform: Driving Innovation and Efficiency The Microsoft Power Platform includes Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents. Nonprofits can use these tools to: Visualize Data: Power BI allows nonprofits to create interactive dashboards and reports, providing insights into program performance and donor engagement. Automate Processes: Power Automate enables nonprofits to automate repetitive tasks, freeing up staff time for more strategic activities. Build Custom Applications: Power Apps allows nonprofits to create custom applications tailored to their specific needs, enhancing efficiency and innovation. Microsoft Copilot: Streamlining Program Management Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant that helps nonprofits manage everyday tasks and increase efficiency. Nonprofits can use Copilot to: Generate and Edit Program Plans: Copilot can assist in creating and refining program plans, timelines, and reports, ensuring that they are comprehensive and accurate. Automate Time-Consuming Tasks: Copilot can automate administrative tasks, giving time back to nonprofit staff to focus on mission-critical activities. Conclusion Microsoft offers a comprehensive suite of tools that can help nonprofits enhance their operations, engage supporters, and achieve their missions more effectively. By leveraging Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, the Power Platform, and Copilot, nonprofits can drive positive change and make a lasting impact in their communities.Trigger-Based vs. Segment-Based Journeys: Which is Right for your Nonprofit?
Understanding how to effectively engage your audience is crucial. Two popular strategies are trigger-based and segment-based journeys. Both have their unique advantages and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your organization. Let's dive into what each approach entails and how they can benefit your nonprofit. Journeys Journeys in Dynamics 365 refer to the automated paths that guide customers through various stages of engagement with your organization. These journeys can be simple, like a single email campaign, or complex, involving multiple touchpoints and interactions. In Dynamics 365, journeys are a feature of Customer Insights. This tool helps you visualize and automate the customer journey, ensuring that each interaction is timely and relevant. There are two main types of journeys: Trigger-Based Journeys Segment-Based Journeys Trigger-Based Journeys Trigger-based journeys are designed to respond to specific actions or events in real-time. These triggers can be anything from a donor visiting your website, signing up for a newsletter, or clicking on an email. The key advantage of trigger-based journeys is their ability to react immediately to these actions, providing timely and relevant communication. Benefits of Trigger-Based Journeys: Real-Time Engagement: Respond to actions as they happen, increasing the likelihood of conversion. Personalization: Tailor messages based on individual behaviors, making your communication more relevant. Efficiency: Automate responses to common triggers, saving time and resources. Example Imagine a donor visits your website and fills out a form on your latest project. A trigger-based journey could automatically send a follow-up email thanking them for their interest and inviting them to a webinar on the same topic. Segment-Based Journeys Segment-based journeys focus on grouping your audience into segments based on shared characteristics or behaviors. These segments can be based on demographics, donation history, engagement levels, and more. The goal is to create targeted campaigns that resonate with each specific group. Benefits of Segment-Based Journeys: Targeted Messaging: Craft messages that speak directly to the interests and needs of each segment. Strategic Planning: Develop long-term campaigns that address the unique characteristics of each group. Improved ROI: By focusing on specific segments, you can allocate resources more effectively and see better results. Example You might create a segment for long-term donors who have contributed over $500 in the past year. A segment-based journey could include a series of emails highlighting the impact of their donations and inviting them to exclusive events. Choosing the Right Approach Both trigger-based and segment-based journeys offer valuable tools for nonprofit marketing. The choice between them depends on your organization's goals, resources, and the nature of your audience. Trigger-Based Journeys are ideal for real-time engagement and personalized communication. They work well for organizations looking to respond quickly to donor actions and maintain a dynamic interaction. Segment-Based Journeys are better suited for strategic, long-term planning. They allow for deeper analysis of donor behavior and more tailored messaging. Conclusion Incorporating both trigger-based and segment-based journeys into your marketing strategy can provide a comprehensive approach to engaging your audience. By understanding the strengths of each method, you can create more effective campaigns that drive support and foster lasting relationships with your donors. Additional Resources Create a trigger-based journey - Dynamics 365 Customer Insights Understanding the flow of a journey - Dynamics 365 Customer InsightsLevel Up Your Nonprofit with Microsoft Learn!
That’s where Microsoft Learn comes in! It’s a free, on-demand training platform where nonprofit professionals can level up their skills in key areas like: ✅ Cybersecurity – Learn how to protect sensitive donor and program data ✅ Cloud Computing – Get hands-on with Microsoft Azure to modernize operations ✅ AI & Automation – Discover how tools like Copilot can save time and improve workflows ✅ Data Analytics – Use Power BI to track impact and make data-driven decisions ✅ Collaboration & Productivity – Master Microsoft 365 tools like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive Bonus: If you’re looking to get certified, Microsoft Learn offers guided learning paths, interactive modules, practice assessments, and even free certification exam prep—helping your nonprofit’s team earn industry-recognized credentials that boost both confidence and credibility. Ready to upskill and transform the way your nonprofit works? Let’s dive into the keyways Microsoft Learn can help your team thrive! (Be sure to click the links included above and below throughout the blog!) 1. Free Training That Won’t Break the Budget The reality is—most nonprofits are working with tight budgets. Hiring consultants or paying for expensive training programs isn’t always an option. Microsoft Learn changes the game by providing free, high-quality training on essential tech skills, so your team can stay ahead without spending a dime. Whether you want to become a cybersecurity pro, optimize your nonprofit’s cloud strategy, or automate repetitive tasks, you’ll find step-by-step learning modules, hands-on exercises, and even sandbox environments to practice your skills. With zero cost and unlimited access, there’s no reason NOT to start learning today! 💡 2. Content Designed Just for Nonprofits Not all training is created equal, and Microsoft understands that nonprofits have unique needs. That’s why Microsoft Learn offers custom content that focus on real-world nonprofit challenges, such as: ✔ Volunteer Engagement – Learn how to manage and communicate with volunteers using Microsoft 365 ✔ Program Impact Tracking – Use Power BI and other analytics tools to measure outcomes and improve reporting ✔ Accelerate Nonprofit Funding with AI – Learn how to use Microsoft Copilot to streamline grant writing, improve donor outreach, and optimize funding strategies with AI-powered insights. ✔ Introduction to AI Skills for Nonprofits – Discover how AI can enhance nonprofit operations, improve decision-making, and automate tasks to maximize impact and efficiency. ✔ Data Governance – Understand how to structure, manage, and secure your nonprofit's data using Microsoft tools like Purview to maintain privacy and compliance. With these specialized courses, your team can gain relevant, actionable skills that will improve efficiency and amplify your mission! 3. AI & Automation: Your Digital Assistants Are Here! Ever wish you had a little extra help? AI-powered tools like Copilot in Word, Excel, and Teams can automate tasks, analyze data, and boost collaboration—so you can focus on impact instead of admin work. Need to draft a grant proposal? Copilot can help. Want insights from donor data? Copilot's got you. Running out of ideas for your fundraising campaign? Learn how you can accelerate nonprofit funding solutions with Copilot here. Microsoft Learn offers hands-on courses that teach you how to use AI tools to save time, improve accuracy, and enhance productivity—so your team can work smarter, not harder! 4. A Culture of Continuous Learning Tech is always evolving, and staying ahead of the game is key. Microsoft Learn makes ongoing training engaging, interactive, and accessible, helping your nonprofit adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing digital world. Want to level up your team’s expertise? Encourage staff and volunteers to take Microsoft certification courses—which include: Practice assessments to test knowledge before exams Certification prep courses to guide learning Industry-recognized credentials to showcase expertise Certifications like Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals or Azure Fundamentals can boost credibility and help your nonprofit build trust with donors and partners. Ready to Take Your Nonprofit to the Next Level? Microsoft Learn is your nonprofit’s free ticket to a tech-savvy future—helping you upskill your team, simplify processes, and amplify your mission. So, what are you waiting for? Start learning today and turn your nonprofit into a digital powerhouse! 💻✨ 👉 Explore Microsoft Learn Now!Accelerating your fundraising with Dynamics 365 nonprofit accelerator– Right out of the box!
Join Microsoft and FormusPro for this webinar to learn how Microsoft Dynamics 365 nonprofit accelerator could revolutionize your fundraising efforts. You’ll discover how the nonprofit accelerator empowers organizations like yours to accelerate fundraising initiatives, from donor management to campaign tracking and beyond. Register for this external event here: Accelerating your fundraising with Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 nonprofit accelerator– Right out of the box!
