Outdated IT is quietly holding back Montana nonprofits, and putting missions at risk.
Montana nonprofits play a vital role in our communities, whether it’s providing food and shelter, supporting education, or caring for those in need. But while the mission is clear, the technology supporting that mission is often overlooked.
At Information Systems of Montana (ISM), we’ve worked with nonprofits across Helena, Missoula, Billings, and beyond, and we see the same pattern: outdated technology that slows teams down, increases cybersecurity risks, and drains resources that should be directed toward the mission.
Holding onto old servers, unsupported software, or expired warranties may feel like a way to save money. In reality, it’s a costly gamble that can jeopardize both your impact and your reputation.
The Hidden Costs of Old Tech for Nonprofits
- Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
Hackers actively target nonprofits because they often lack the robust defenses of larger corporations. Outdated systems don’t receive critical security patches, making them easy targets for ransomware, phishing, and malware attacks.
The 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report revealed that nonprofits and other SMBs are increasingly targeted due to their donor databases and payment processing systems. These databases contain sensitive information, names, addresses, credit card data, and even medical records in some cases.
For a Montana nonprofit, a breach doesn’t just risk financial loss. It can permanently damage donor trust, making fundraising far more difficult.
- Compliance & Donor Trust Risks
Many Montana nonprofits handle sensitive donor, volunteer, or beneficiary data. For healthcare nonprofits, compliance with HIPAA is mandatory. For organizations processing donations, meeting PCI DSS standards is essential.
Outdated IT systems make compliance harder, or even impossible. If donor or beneficiary data is exposed because of neglected technology, nonprofits face:
- Possible fines for noncompliance
- Legal liability
- Loss of accreditation or grant eligibility
- Damaged trust with donors and community partners
Trust is at the heart of nonprofit work. A single preventable breach can undo years of relationship-building.
- Downtime Disrupts Service Delivery
When an old server crashes or a critical application fails, it’s not just an inconvenience. It can:
- Delay essential services for those who depend on you
- Interrupt fundraising campaigns at critical times
- Disrupt communication between staff, volunteers, and partners
- Create frustration and burnout among your team
Imagine a food bank unable to process distribution schedules because of a server failure, or a nonprofit hospital unable to access patient data during treatment. Downtime doesn’t just hurt efficiency; it can harm people directly.
- False Cost Savings
On the surface, holding onto outdated technology may seem like a cost-saving measure. But emergency fixes, lost productivity, and last-minute hardware replacements often cost far more than planned upgrades.
A recent TechSoup survey showed that nonprofits modernizing IT systems saved an average of 25% annually compared to those running outdated infrastructure. These savings came from fewer disruptions, lower emergency repair costs, and improved staff productivity.
Outdated IT is not frugal, it’s financially risky.
Real-World Risks for Nonprofits
Here are scenarios we’ve seen firsthand:
- Outdated donor management systems become incompatible with new online fundraising tools, limiting your ability to reach modern donors.
- A staff laptop running an old operating system is compromised in a phishing attack, exposing sensitive donor records.
- A mission-critical server fails during a holiday fundraising drive, halting online donations at the worst possible moment.
These aren’t hypotheticals, they happen every year to nonprofits across the U.S. According to Nonprofit Tech for Good, over 70% of nonprofits cite outdated technology as a barrier to their mission effectiveness.
The Ripple Effects of Outdated IT
The impact of old technology isn’t just technical; it ripples across every part of a nonprofit:
- Staff Burnout – Frustration with slow systems leads to wasted time and morale drops.
- Volunteer Engagement – Volunteers are less likely to stay engaged when they struggle with clunky tools.
- Grant Eligibility – Funders are increasingly asking about cybersecurity practices. Outdated systems could disqualify you from critical funding.
- Community Impact – When technology fails, services slow—or stop entirely. Those who rely on you are the ones most directly affected.
Steps Nonprofits Can Take to Modernize IT
- Conduct a Technology Health Check
Begin with a full audit of your IT environment. Identify which systems are nearing end-of-life and prioritize upgrades for:
- Servers
- Firewalls
- Donor management platforms
- Staff laptops and workstations
ISM offers a free Technology Health Check to help nonprofits understand their risks before a crisis happens.
- Plan Lifecycle Management
Don’t wait for systems to fail. Budget annually for hardware and software refreshes. Think of lifecycle planning as preventive care: less expensive than an emergency room visit and far more effective at protecting your mission.
- Leverage Nonprofit Discounts
Many major vendors provide nonprofit pricing, grants, and free licensing:
- Microsoft Nonprofit Offers – free and discounted Microsoft 365 licenses
- Google for Nonprofits – free productivity tools and ad grants
- TechSoup – access to thousands of discounted software and hardware options
With the right guidance, Montana nonprofits can modernize IT cost-effectively.
- Partner with a Local IT Firm That Understands Nonprofits
Generic IT support doesn’t always work for nonprofits. You need a partner who understands tight budgets, volunteer-heavy workforces, and grant compliance requirements.
At ISM, we’ve supported nonprofits across Montana for nearly 30 years. We help organizations balance affordability with security, ensuring that technology supports, rather than hinders, your mission. From 24/7 help desk support to cybersecurity planning and lifecycle management, our services are built for mission-driven organizations.
- Train Staff and Volunteers on Cybersecurity
Even the best systems can’t protect against human error. Training your staff and volunteers on how to recognize phishing emails, use secure passwords, and follow basic cybersecurity hygiene dramatically lowers your risk.
Free resources from CISA and Stay Safe Online can help nonprofits strengthen their security culture.
Keep Your Mission Strong with Reliable IT
Every dollar and every hour matters when you’re serving Montana communities. Don’t let outdated technology divert resources from your mission or put donor trust at risk.
The cost of neglecting IT isn’t just financial, it’s human. It’s the family waiting for housing assistance, the student counting on scholarship support, the patient relying on nonprofit healthcare. When systems fail, people pay the price.
ISM has been supporting nonprofits across Montana for nearly 30 years, with proactive IT, cybersecurity, and 24/7 support designed to keep your focus where it belongs, on making a difference.
Schedule a free Technology Health Check with ISM and make sure your IT is fueling your mission, not slowing it down.
