Google Apps has been adopted by thousands of users over the last year and the large majority of those users will never go back to their old solution. While I believe that Google Apps is great first step into the world of cloud computing and collaboration for business, I think that non-profits need to seriously look at using Google Apps.

Usually non-profits will have a variety of part time employees, volunteers, and board members. These members of the non-profit are usually only in the office for a few hours a week and have other full time jobs they are trying to keep up with. Google Apps for Non-profits gives these organizations the collaboration and messaging tools they need to organize and create and efficient organization. Google Apps with Google Docs gives non-profits the ability to create word documents and spreadsheets which all members can view and edit. One example of how a non-profit could utilize Google Docs is to create a schedule for events that the non-profit is holding. The schedule could be easily created in Google Docs and then shared with the entire group. Volunteers could then go online and fill out the time that they wish to volunteer for. The organizers could then see the progress of the event and what slots need to be filled.

Another great way for a non-profit to use Google Apps is to create a Google Site for the board members of the organization. Having a site for the board will allow them to stay up to date and involved in the organization even if they are unable to make frequent visits into the office. The Google Site could contain news, a calendar of events, discussions on recent topics, and files for upcoming events and meetings. A full time staffer at the organization could create the site and keep it fresh with new content. The board members then can just log into the Google Site from wherever they have internet access.

The next reason for the switch is the most obvious, the non-profit can save a lot of money. Non-profits are created to meet a specific goal in the community. I have yet to find a non-profit who has a goal of spending money on technology and if they did they would most likely not be classified as a non-profit. Google Apps allows  the non-profit to stop spending money on technology and spend more money on meeting their goals. The cost savings come from the fact that many non-profits qualify for free Google Apps licensing and that when using Google Apps the non-profit does not need to pay IT consultants to help keep their systems up. Many non-profits will also see increased efficiency from the collaboration tools that come with Google Apps.

Non-profits should begin exploring Google Apps and if they need to look for an experienced company to help them make the switch. 2020Tek for example gives heavily discounted services to non-profits and also offers discounted licensing to non-profits who do not qualify for free licensing.