5 Essential Digital Skills Every Nonprofit Needs for 2026 and Beyond
With small teams and big missions, capacity comes from skills, not just software licenses. The right skill stack compounds value across your programs, fundraising, operations, and partnerships. Below are the five essential digital skills (plus starter steps you can take this month). Data Literacy — Turning Information into Insight Data powers everything from fundraising decisions to program outcomes. Every nonprofit should be able to: Understand what data they have Store it securely Use insights to improve services Basic familiarity with tools like Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and CRM systems gives your team the confidence to make informed decisions. Cybersecurity Awareness — Protecting People and Mission Nonprofits hold sensitive data about donors, employees, and the communities they serve. Key practices include: Strong, unique passwords Multifactor authentication (MFA) Recognizing phishing attempts Safely managing volunteer and staff access Cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s an essential part of safeguarding trust. Cloud Collaboration — Working Anywhere, Securely Cloud platforms like Microsoft 365 enable nonprofits to collaborate from anywhere while keeping data protected. Core skills include: Using shared documents Managing permissions Running effective virtual meetings Tracking version history Cloud adoption saves time, reduces costs, and helps teams stay aligned. AI Readiness — Knowing What’s Possible Artificial intelligence is transforming how nonprofits: Analyze data Use automation Engage supporters Deliver services Building AI readiness starts with small steps: understanding use cases, starting pilot projects, and preparing your data. Digital Storytelling — Sharing Your Mission in a Noisy World Turning your organization’s work into compelling digital stories helps you inspire supporters, engage communities, and build sustained interest. Foundational skills include: Structuring stories around impact Using visuals wisely Publishing consistently Repurposing content across channels These essential digital skills aren’t technical “extras”—they are the engine of a modern, mission‑driven organization. As nonprofits continue serving communities in a digital-first world, data literacy, cybersecurity, cloud fluency, AI readiness, and storytelling become core competencies that strengthen trust, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability. Investing in these skills today ensures your organization can innovate, adapt, and amplify impact tomorrow. Get started with your skilling journey: aka.ms/AISkillsNavigator and explore upcoming nonprofit skilling opportunities: Microsoft Nonprofit Events.Why “Working Smarter with AI” Matters for Every Nonprofit Right Now
Nonprofits are being asked to do more than ever, often with fewer people and tighter resources. Important mission‑driven work gets buried under emails, meetings, and administrative overload. Working Smarter with AI highlights a major shift happening across the sector — one that helps organizations reclaim time, reduce burnout, and refocus on what truly matters. AI Is Changing How Work Gets Done AI isn’t a future concept anymore. It’s already helping teams streamline tasks, cut through busywork, and stay focused on mission‑critical work. This isn’t about working faster — it’s about working smarter. Digital Debt Is Draining Teams Email overload, nonstop meetings, and constant information flow are holding staff back. AI can take on routine tasks so people can spend more time on creativity, strategy, and impact. Refocus on Mission‑Driven Work From summarizing documents to drafting content and analyzing information, AI tools remove the tedious parts of work and help teams reconnect with their purpose. AI as a True Productivity Partner Tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot support staff right inside the apps they already use. Whether it’s clearing inboxes, drafting grant proposals, or building presentations, AI gives teams a head start — and nearly 90% of users say it helps them feel more fulfilled. Built on Responsible AI Responsible AI ensures fairness, transparency, and privacy. It keeps people in control and supports staff rather than replacing them. A Better Way of Working AI gives nonprofits the opportunity to rethink how work happens — reducing burnout, boosting creativity, and helping teams stay focused on advancing the mission. Want to dive deeper? Get the free e‑book: Working Smarter with AIWhat Are Canvas Apps? Your Guide to No-Code App Design
What Are Canvas Apps in Power Apps? If you’ve ever wished you could build a business app without hiring developers or writing code, Canvas apps in Microsoft Power Apps make that possible. Think of it as starting with a blank canvas where you design the app exactly how you want — by dragging and dropping components and using simple, Excel-like formulas for logic. Why Canvas Apps Are a Game-Changer Canvas apps give you complete control over the look and feel of your app. You can: Arrange elements in any layout for a custom user experience. Connect to data from Microsoft services like Dataverse, SharePoint, or Excel, as well as third-party sources. Share your app so it runs in a browser, on mobile devices, or even embedded in Teams, SharePoint, or Power BI. Build Faster with Copilot One of the most exciting features is Copilot in Power Apps Instead of starting from scratch, you can simply describe what you want your app to do in natural language — and AI will build it for you. From creating screens to adding logic, Copilot makes app development faster and easier. Ways to Create Canvas Apps You can start with: A sample app or template Data from Dataverse, SharePoint, or Excel Or build completely from scratch for full flexibility After generating an app, you can customize it to fit your workflows — change which data appears, how it’s sorted, and add screens, galleries, and forms. Sharing and Running Your App When your app is ready, save it to the cloud and share it with your team. You control who can run the app and whether they can customize it. Apps can run on Windows, in a web browser, or on iOS/Android devices. In Conclusion Canvas apps are perfect for anyone who wants to turn ideas into working solutions quickly. Whether you’re building a CRM, tracking volunteers, or streamlining operations, Power Apps gives you the tools to create apps without complexity.AI in Care Services: Restoring the Human Touch
Frontline care workers are the heart of our communities—but many are overwhelmed by paperwork, policies, and burnout. In Australia alone, the care sector faces a 344,000-worker shortage. The question isn’t just how to meet demand—it’s how to care for the caregivers. Two nonprofits—Uniting NSW.ACT in Australia and Parlan in the Netherlands—are showing how AI can do just that. Uniting NSW.ACT: Meet Buddy, the AI Sidekick Serving 148,000 clients annually, Uniting needed a smarter way to work. Enter Buddy, an AI assistant built on Microsoft Azure. What Buddy Delivers: Case notes in 2 minutes (down from 15) Voice-to-text documentation, even in remote areas Instant access to 1,600 policies More time for personal, compassionate care Buddy uses Azure OpenAI Service and a Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) approach to surface accurate policy guidance and streamline compliance. It saves frontline workers nearly an hour per day, improves onboarding, and helps attract and retain staff in a tight labor market. By reducing administrative burdens, Buddy empowers carers to focus on what matters most—human connection. Parlan: Copilot for Mental Health Dutch nonprofit Parlan provides mental health care to children and families with complex needs. To reduce paperwork and improve care, Parlan adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot. What Copilot Delivers: Therapy reports in minutes Faster prep for complex cases Real-time translation in Teams Easy creation of therapeutic tools Copilot helps staff summarize hundreds of pages of client history, draft reports quickly, and even translate conversations during live sessions. It also assists in creating therapeutic stories—tasks that once took hours now take minutes. By streamlining administrative work, Copilot gives practitioners more time for direct care. Why It Matters This isn’t just about speed—it’s about wellness. Less admin means: Lower stress Reduced burnout Higher job satisfaction Better client outcomes The Big Picture AI isn’t replacing care—it’s restoring time, trust, and connection. Tools like Buddy and Copilot help workers do what they do best: care deeply, and serve with purpose. To learn more about their story, please visit Microsoft for Nonprofits: (21) How Technology Is Boosting Worker Wellness and Restoring the Human Touch | LinkedInBeyond the Basics: How to Get More Value from Transcription in Microsoft Teams
This post is a follow‑up to my earlier guide, “How to Enable Transcription in Microsoft Teams: A Quick Guide to Smarter Meetings.” If you’ve already learned how to turn transcription on, this next step will help you get even more value from it. Transcription in Microsoft Teams isn’t just a convenience—it’s a powerful productivity engine hiding in plain sight. If you’ve already mastered how to enable transcription (or read my earlier guide), you’re ready for the next step: turning those transcripts into actionable insights, better collaboration, and smarter workflows. Whether you’re a project manager, educator, team lead, or someone who simply wants cleaner follow‑ups, this guide will help you unlock the full potential of Teams transcription. Why Transcription Matters More Than Ever Meetings move fast. Decisions get made, tasks get assigned, and ideas fly across the screen. Even with the best note‑taking habits, it’s easy to miss something. Transcription solves that by giving you: Searchable meeting history Accurate recall of decisions and action items Accessibility for participants who prefer or require text A single source of truth for follow‑ups But the real magic happens when you start using transcripts strategically. 1. Turn Transcripts Into Actionable Follow‑Ups A transcript isn’t just a record—it’s a roadmap. Here’s how to make it work for you: Use Search to Find What Matters Instead of rewatching an hour‑long recording, search the transcript for keywords like: “deadline” “next steps” “assign” “decision” This instantly surfaces the moments that matter. Extract Action Items Teams Premium or Microsoft 365 Copilot users get AI‑generated action items automatically. But even without premium features, you can: Skim the transcript for verbs (“send,” “review,” “update”) Copy/paste tasks into Planner, To Do, or your project management tool Share a summary with your team to confirm alignment 2. Use Speaker Attribution to Improve Collaboration Teams transcription identifies who said what—unless you choose to anonymize your name. This is incredibly useful for: Tracking ownership of ideas Following up with the right person Clarifying who committed to which task Reviewing feedback from specific stakeholders If your team works cross‑functionally, this feature alone can save hours of back‑and‑forth. 3. Combine Transcripts with Meeting Recordings for Full Context Transcripts are great for scanning, but recordings add tone, nuance, and visual cues. Use them together when: Reviewing complex discussions Revisiting demos or walkthroughs Clarifying tone in sensitive conversations Training new team members Pro tip: Jump directly to a transcript line and Teams will play the recording from that exact moment. 4. Leverage Multi‑Language Support If your team is global, transcription becomes even more valuable. Teams supports multiple spoken languages, and you can confirm the language at the start of transcription. This helps: Multilingual teams collaborate more effectively Non‑native speakers review content at their own pace Organizations maintain accurate documentation across regions 5. Manage Privacy and Compliance Like a Pro Transcription is powerful—but it also comes with responsibility. Here’s how to stay compliant: Know Where Transcripts Are Stored Saved to the meeting organizer’s OneDrive for Business Governed by your organization’s retention and compliance policies Control Who Can Download Admins can restrict transcript downloads to: Organizers only Organizers + co‑organizers Everyone in the meeting Use Anonymization When Needed If you want to participate without your name appearing in captions or transcripts, toggle on “Hide my name in captions and transcripts” in Teams settings (if allowed by your admin). Final Thoughts: Let Your Meetings Work for You Transcription in Microsoft Teams is more than a convenience—it’s a strategic advantage. By going beyond simply turning it on and learning how to use the transcript effectively, you transform your meetings into a powerful source of clarity, accountability, and insight. Every conversation becomes searchable. Every decision becomes traceable. Every meeting becomes more valuable. If you’re ready to take your Teams experience to the next level, start treating transcription as a core part of your workflow—not an optional add‑on. Your future self (and your team) will thank youHow AI Is Helping Patients Access Life-Saving Treatments Faster
Every day counts when patients are waiting for critical medications. For NSF, audits of new drugs are essential to ensure safety and compliance—but these processes can take weeks, slowing time-to-market for therapies that could change lives. NSF partnered with the Cloud Accelerate Factory to build an Azure AI-powered solution that automates document review, compliance checks, and summary generation. The result? Audit times cut by 50%, freeing experts to focus on strategy and enabling treatments to reach patients sooner. With near-perfect accuracy and scalable design, this AI tool is transforming how NSF works—reducing inefficiencies, minimizing human error, and unlocking capacity for global impact. This isn’t just about technology—it’s about accelerating hope. By embracing AI, NSF is proving how nonprofits can leverage innovation to amplify their mission and improve lives worldwide. To learn more about how NSF, an independent, science-based organization, is using AI and to join the conversation, please read their full story on Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7406363128894160896Technology that Gives Time Back to Care
Every minute matters when lives are on the line. For nonprofits like World Vision Germany and Diakonisches Werk Rheinland-Westfalen-Lippe, embracing modern technology wasn’t about going digital—it was about giving people help faster, building trust deeper, and freeing teams to focus on what truly matters: human connection. When an earthquake struck Myanmar, World Vision Germany launched an emergency appeal within hours—because technology cleared the path for action. When floods devastated communities, Diakonie RWL raised €45M and delivered aid in just two weeks—because their systems worked as fast as their compassion. This is the future of nonprofit work: less time wrestling with paperwork, more time changing lives. Technology doesn’t replace care—it amplifies it. To learn more about their stories and how they use technology to accelerate impact. Please read the full story on Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/driving-impact-faster-aid-smarter-fundraising-3udkeWe Want to Hear from You!
We believe the best ideas don’t just come from within—they come from you, our community. Your voice matters, and we’re committed to listening, learning, and growing together. Feedback isn’t just a checkbox for us. It’s how we improve, innovate, and make sure we’re meeting your needs. Whether it’s a suggestion, a story, or a simple thought, every piece of input helps us shape the future. Why Your Feedback Matters • It helps us understand what’s working well. • It highlights areas where we can do better. • It sparks new ideas we may not have considered. We want to make this journey collaborative, and your perspective is the key. Take our quick survey here: Help Us Improve: Share Your Feedback – Fill out form Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Together, we can build something even better!Unlock AI-Ready Insights: Empowering Nonprofits with Microsoft Fabric
Disconnected data slows impact—but it doesn’t have to. Nonprofit data solutions in Microsoft Fabric unify your data, accelerate insights, and create an AI-ready foundation for smarter decisions. Imagine moving from raw donor data to actionable insights in weeks, not months. With Fabric, nonprofits gain: Unified fundraising data in one place Instant insights through ready-made dashboards AI-powered possibilities for predictive analytics and smarter strategies This isn’t just technology—it’s a game-changer for fundraising, volunteer management, and program delivery. Built with nonprofit needs in mind, Fabric helps you reduce complexity and unlock mission outcomes faster. Ready to see how? Read the full article on Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/microsoft-for-nonprofits_disconnected-data-slows-impact-but-it-doesn-activity-7402016549773017088-8cH9#MSIgnite Nonprofit AI Sessions
AI is opening new doors for nonprofits to collaborate, innovate, and drive mission impact. During Ignite, we hosted two sessions designed to show how AI can connect IT, fundraising, program management, and operations teams. These on‑demand sessions highlight practical strategies and real nonprofit experiences you can learn from today: Silo Busting for Nonprofits - bridging gaps between technology and program staff in nonprofit organizations Empowering Nonprofits with Agentic AI - discover how AI agents are driving impact in program management, fundraising, and operations Want to learn more? Head over to the Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn page to read the full article and see how AI is transforming nonprofit missions and driving impact.
