One thing I wish I had known about nonprofit technology before starting was how much emphasis is placed on integration and scalability. Early on, I focused too much on choosing the "best" software for individual tasks without considering how well it would integrate with other systems or grow as the organization expanded. This led to inefficiencies and the need for multiple, disjointed systems. My advice would be to prioritize platforms that offer robust integration capabilities and are scalable to accommodate growth. Think long-term about how the technology will evolve with your nonprofit's needs, and invest in systems that can grow with you rather than just addressing immediate needs. It's a bit more work upfront, but it saves a lot of time and resources down the road.
When I first entered the nonprofit sector, I underestimated how underfunded and outdated much of the technology stack could be. I assumed tools would mirror the efficiency of the private sector, but many orgs were still operating on legacy systems that couldn't scale or integrate well. It wasn't about lack of ambition but about budget constraints and donor reporting priorities. The advice I'd give is this: before pushing for innovation, take time to understand the real-world limitations nonprofits face. Start with low-lift, high-impact tools that improve internal workflows, automated donor comms, CRM clean-ups, or cloud-based collaboration. Change moves slower here, but when it sticks, it has a real purpose.