2026 tech trends to watch for nonprofits

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November 6, 2025

November 5, 2025

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2026 tech trends to watch for nonprofits

We’re breaking down where innovation is headed in the nonprofit and recreation space and how the next generation of CRM and AI is reshaping the way organizations work and grow.

Budgets are tighter, teams are stretched, and member expectations keep rising. As 2026 approaches, one question stands out: how can nonprofits make next season smoother, faster, and easier for staff and communities?

The good news, it’s not too late to start. Small, thoughtful steps with the right tools and people-first technology can make a big difference.

Here’s a quick recap of key insights from our webinar, Smarter Systems, Stronger Communities: 2026 Tech Trends for Nonprofits, featuring Brynn Anderson, VP of Product, and Kevin Martyn, Solution Engineer, where they explored how innovation is reshaping community organizations. Watch the full webinar below.

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At a glance:

✅ Technology, teamwork, and the new pace of change: How software development is moving from multi-year delivery to continuous delivery and why IT and leadership need to work together to turn data into outcomes.

✅ Simplifying the tools you already have: Practical, everyday ways to make your current software work harder using built-in AI and automation.

✅ AI that helps people, not replaces them: Real examples of how human-centered AI can save staff time and create better member experiences.

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Technology, teamwork, and the new pace of change

The way technology evolves and how nonprofits adapt to it has shifted dramatically. Not long ago, many organizations followed a waterfall approach to software development, creating detailed plans that often took years to complete. As technology accelerated, most teams moved to an agile approach with shorter “sprints” and quicker turnarounds. Now, with the rise of AI, we’re seeing another shift toward continuous delivery, where innovation is no longer tied to big annual or quarterly releases but happens all the time, evolving alongside organizations.

As the pace of technological improvement increases, so does the need for alignment between technology and business leaders. Technology leaders are becoming more involved in overall business objectives, helping their organizations adapt faster, turn data into meaningful action, and continuously improve member and staff experiences. It doesn’t have to start with a major initiative, even streamlining one time-consuming report or process can save staff hours and make a visible difference.

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Simplifying the tools you already have

One of the biggest trends heading into 2026 is getting more from the tools you already use. That starts with prioritizing embedded, on-platform technology. Many familiar platforms such as Canva, Zoom, and Google Workspace now include built-in AI features that help with everyday tasks like designing branded materials, summarizing meetings, or writing quick updates.

For Traction Rec customers, Agentforce is another key example and the only native AI agent in the industry. Its value goes beyond convenience. It’s about safety, ease of use, and delivering an AI experience tailored to your community’s specific needs. The goal isn’t to do more – it’s to make every tool work smarter for you.

AI that helps people, not replaces them

AI isn’t about replacing human work. It’s about giving staff time back and providing more support for your community. Nonprofits are already using AI in four key ways:

1. Creating content
Writing donor emails, generating visuals in Canva, or summarizing program updates in seconds.

2. Automating small tasks (Agentic AI)
Acting as a co-pilot to help staff take action – like registering members, processing payments, or answering questions such as “What’s my balance?”

3. Summarizing information
Turning long reports, emails, or conversations into quick, useful summaries so staff can focus on decisions, not data digging.

4. Predicting what’s next
Using data to anticipate member needs, like who might not renew, or which programs a household is most likely to register for next.

Where Traction Rec is leading next

Built on Salesforce, Traction Rec continues to drive innovation by embedding the latest AI and automation directly into the CRM experience. With Agentic AI, we’re helping nonprofits turn complex systems into intuitive, conversational experiences that save time and improve service.

Together, Salesforce and Traction Rec are leading the way in making powerful technology practical and people-focused:

Building AI directly into the tools staff already use
Unified data across memberships, programs, and facilities
Smarter volunteer and fund management tools that anticipate needs
Faster admin experiences supported by Agentforce Vibes, an AI tool that turns plain language into working code in seconds

See Agentforce in Action

Traction Rec is bringing these innovations to the front lines by designing persona-based agents that give members, staff, and front desk teams personalized support. During the webinar, Kevin shared a live demo of the YMCA of San Francisco’s new Traction Rec agent, Bayley, powered by Agentforce.

Bayley helps real members register for programs, check schedules, and even ask about the pool temperature – all through a simple chat experience that’s available 24/7.

Learn more about Traction Rec’s Always-On AI Agents

Smarter Systems, Stronger Communities

The nonprofits that thrive in 2026 won’t be the ones with the most tools. They’ll be the ones using what they already have in smarter, simpler ways, connecting technology, teams, and strategy around shared goals. They’ll take small steps that create meaningful change, use AI to give time back to people, and expand intentionally with technology that truly supports their mission.

That’s how the next season becomes smoother, faster, and easier for staff, for members, and for the communities we all serve.

😎 Reach out to learn how Agentforce can empower your community with 24/7 multilingual support.