Nonprofit organizations use computers, Internet and other networking technology for everything in their day to day operations, and in most cases need to be more aware of their bottom line.

Some technology is created specifically for use by nonprofit organizations. For instance, there are more than 30 software packages designed for nonprofits to use to manage volunteers. There is software designed to help in the management of animal shelters, software to help nonprofit performing arts groups sell tickets and manage donors, software to manage sports clubs, and on and on.

Nonprofit organizations also use both proprietary and open-source software, as well as various online tools, that are also used by for-profit businesses. Nonprofit groups may leverage web-based services in their media outreach, using online newswires to disseminate their press releases where other orgnizations may hire a marketing firm, this is usually not cost effective and must be done in house by Nonprofit employees.

Because of their limited budgets, nonprofit organizations may not be able to upgrade their hardware or software, buy computers or Internet tools, or provide technology training for staff to the degree of for-profit businesses. This means that, often, nonprofit organizations can be on the wrong side of the digital divide.The easy way around this, is to emply the best use of all the technology available, to leverage the best reults.