Unleashing innovation: using everyday technology to improve nonprofit services

This US research identifies core elements common to 180 human service non-profits using technology to successfully innovate effective program delivery.People often think of innovation as futuristic, cutting-edge technology, but this research found that it doesn’t have to be—in fact, many Minnesota nonprofits successfully use existing technology to innovate in more subtle ways, implementing solutions that are often both low-cost and effective. The authors found a number of different examples of organizations using straightforward, inexpensive technology to provide higher quality services and create opportunities to do more with less. But can other organizations replicate their results? Through a survey of 180 Minnesota human service non-profits, and detailed follow-up interviews with staff members from 13 of those organizations, this research identifies core elements common to those using technology to successfully innovate program delivery