AI and Automation for Not-for-Profits: A Practical Guide
Embracing Automation to Add Strategic Value
In today’s fast-moving financial landscape, not-for-profits (NFPs) are under pressure to optimise resources, remain compliant, and adapt to change — all while staying true to their mission. Automation offers powerful support here, yet some finance teams and clients are understandably hesitant to adopt it, often due to concerns about disruption, cost, or losing control of established processes.
But automation isn’t about replacing people. It’s about enabling them to work smarter, not harder — and creating space for more strategic, forward-thinking work. With the right tools, like Sage Intacct’s financial management platform, NFPs can automate the fundamentals, reduce spreadsheet headaches, and gain real-time visibility into performance.
Making the Case for Automation
Successfully advocating for automation — whether internally or with suppliers — means framing the conversation in practical, human terms.
1. Communicate the Benefits Clearly
Rather than focusing on technical features, talk about how automation improves the daily experience. Removing manual tasks creates time for strategic thinking. Reducing data entry errors builds trust in reporting. Faster access to financial insights supports better decisions and compliance.
With Sage Intacct’s multidimensional reporting and real-time dashboards, you can deliver the transparency stakeholders increasingly expect. Automation isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing more of what matters.
2. Start with Simple Wins
Begin by automating smaller, repetitive processes like invoice approvals, expense tracking, or bank reconciliations. These early improvements are often low-effort but high-impact, helping demonstrate value quickly. Giuntabell can help you identify the best areas to begin, based on your team’s needs and goals.
3. Involve Your Team from the Start
People are more likely to support change when they feel included in the process. Involve your team early, listen to their concerns, and offer clear, accessible training. Position automation as a tool to support and enhance their work — not a threat to it.
If you are looking for a new finance solution, Sage Intacct is designed for flexibility, it can be configured to your team’s workflows without the need for costly custom coding — making the transition more approachable and user-friendly.
4. Share Real-World Successes
Showcase examples from other NFPs who have successfully implemented automation. Real-world stories can help demystify the process, build confidence, and show what’s possible. Whether it's reducing month-end close from weeks to days or improving donor reporting, results speak volumes.
Queensland Ballet faced the challenge of optimising its financial operations to support its expanding presence and activities. Recognising the need for a robust finance system to manage their complex financial processes efficiently, QB sought a partner to implement a new ERP system.
At Giuntabell, we were proud to emerge as the ideal partner for QB. Led by Nunzio Giunta, our Managing Director, we offered expertise in implementing ERP systems, particularly Sage Intacct, a multi-dimensional finance system.
Hear more about how Giuntabell partnered with Queensland Ballet to optimise their finance system.
Giuntabell commenced by thoroughly understanding QB's financial processes, goals, and challenges. Sage Intacct was identified as the most suitable solution due to its multi-dimensional structure, enabling QB to capture and present financial information effectively to various stakeholders without relying heavily on manual processes like exporting data to Excel.
Read the full case study here.
5. Work with Partners Who Understand Your Sector
Automation isn’t one-size-fits-all. NFPs have unique structures, challenges, and values — and need a partner who understands that. At Giuntabell, we specialise in helping not-for-profits adopt automation in ways that align with their mission and enhance their impact.
Automation should support your mission — not change it. We work with not-for-profits to build smart systems that actually fit the way they work.
Why the Hesitation Around Automation?
Despite its promise, automation can be met with resistance. Some team members worry their roles may be replaced, rather than supported. Others may prefer sticking with manual processes that feel familiar and safe, even if they’re inefficient. Cost and implementation concerns are also common, especially when there’s uncertainty around the return on investment.
In some cases, the benefits of automation simply aren’t clearly understood — making it harder to see the value of change.
To move forward, these concerns need to be acknowledged and addressed with empathy, clarity, and a focus on the opportunities automation creates. Giuntabell works with NFPs to assess where automation makes sense and how to introduce it in a way that builds confidence, not fear. See more about our NFP tech stack here.
From Manual Tasks to Meaningful Work
One of the most overlooked benefits of AI & automation is the opportunity it creates for finance teams to evolve. With repetitive, low-value tasks taken care of, teams can shift their focus toward bigger-picture thinking — becoming consultants, advisors, and leaders within their organisations.
Platforms like Sage Intacct allow you to automate key processes like grant accounting, revenue recognition, and expense management, freeing your team to focus on strategic priorities. Rather than being stuck in day-to-day admin, your finance function can become a key driver of resilience and innovation.
Future-Proofing Your Finance Function
Automation isn’t just about becoming more efficient. It’s about building a finance function that’s agile, insightful, and ready for the future. As expectations around transparency, accuracy, and strategic reporting grow, organisations that embrace digital tools will be better positioned to lead with confidence.
From dynamic allocations to comprehensive fund accounting, Sage Intacct offers the depth and flexibility NFPs need to manage complexity, meet funder requirements, and deliver mission impact.
At Giuntabell, we’re here to help you make that shift — from manual to meaningful, from busywork to strategy. If you're ready to explore how automation can benefit your team and transform your finance function. If you are interested in hearing more about our tech stack or to discuss ways in which we can help with automation please book a scoping call.