Time Tracking Software for Nonprofits: Best Solutions and Practices

Discover the best time tracking software solutions and practices for nonprofits, including Toggl, Harvest, Clockify, Hubstaff, and RescueTime.

Table of Contents

Time Tracking Software for Nonprofits, Best Solutions and Practices

Nonprofits are organizations that operate for the benefit of society, rather than for profit. They often have limited resources and rely heavily on volunteers and donations to achieve their goals. Time tracking is an essential aspect of nonprofit management, as it helps organizations to monitor employee productivity, allocate resources effectively, and ensure compliance with grant requirements. However, manual time tracking can be time-consuming and prone to errors, which is why many nonprofits are turning to time tracking software to streamline their operations. In this article, we will explore the best time tracking solutions for nonprofits and provide some best practices for using them effectively.

Best Time Tracking Solutions for Nonprofits

  1. Toggl

Toggl is a popular time tracking software that is used by many nonprofits due to its ease of use and affordability. With Toggl, employees can track their time on different projects and tasks using a simple timer, and managers can generate reports to monitor productivity and billable hours. Toggl also integrates with other tools such as Asana, Trello, and QuickBooks, making it a versatile solution for nonprofit organizations.

Features

Toggl offers a range of features that make it a popular choice for nonprofits. These include:

  • Simple time tracking with a one-click timer
  • Project and task tracking
  • Reporting and analytics
  • Integrations with other tools
  • Mobile app for tracking time on the go

Integrations

Toggl integrates with a wide range of tools, including:

  • Asana
  • Trello
  • QuickBooks
  • Google Drive
  • Slack
  • And many more

Pricing

Toggl offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets. The basic plan is free, while the premium plan starts at $10 per user per month.

  1. Harvest

Harvest is another time tracking software that is widely used by nonprofits. It offers a range of features such as project management, invoicing, and expense tracking, making it a comprehensive solution for nonprofit management. Harvest also integrates with other tools such as Basecamp, Slack, and Google Drive, making it easy to manage all aspects of nonprofit operations in one place.

Features

Harvest offers a range of features that make it a popular choice for nonprofits. These include:

  • Time tracking with a simple timer
  • Project and task tracking
  • Invoicing and payment processing
  • Expense tracking
  • Reporting and analytics

Integrations

Harvest integrates with a wide range of tools, including:

  • Basecamp
  • Slack
  • Google Drive
  • QuickBooks
  • And many more

Pricing

Harvest offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets. The basic plan starts at $12 per user per month, while the premium plan starts at $49 per user per month.

  1. Clockify

Clockify is a free time tracking software that is ideal for small nonprofits with limited budgets. It offers basic time tracking features such as project and task tracking, as well as reporting and invoicing. Clockify also integrates with other tools such as Trello, Asana, and Jira, making it a versatile solution for nonprofit management.

Features

Clockify offers a range of features that make it a popular choice for small nonprofits. These include:

  • Time tracking with a simple timer
  • Project and task tracking
  • Reporting and analytics
  • Invoicing

Integrations

Clockify integrates with a range of tools, including:

  • Trello
  • Asana
  • Jira
  • Google Drive
  • And many more

Pricing

Clockify is a free time tracking software, making it an ideal choice for small nonprofits with limited budgets.

  1. Hubstaff

Hubstaff is a time tracking software that is designed for remote teams. It offers a range of features such as project management, invoicing, and GPS tracking, making it a comprehensive solution for nonprofit management. Hubstaff also integrates with other tools such as Asana, Trello, and QuickBooks, making it a versatile solution for nonprofit organizations.

Features

Hubstaff offers a range of features that make it a popular choice for remote nonprofits. These include:

  • Time tracking with a simple timer
  • Project and task tracking
  • Invoicing and payment processing
  • GPS tracking
  • Reporting and analytics

Integrations

Hubstaff integrates with a wide range of tools, including:

  • Asana
  • Trello
  • QuickBooks
  • Google Drive
  • And many more

Pricing

Hubstaff offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets. The basic plan starts at $7 per user per month, while the premium plan starts at $20 per user per month.

  1. RescueTime

RescueTime is a time tracking software that is designed to help users improve their productivity and focus. It offers a range of features such as website and app tracking, as well as reporting and analytics. RescueTime also integrates with other tools such as Trello, Asana, and Google Calendar, making it a versatile solution for nonprofit organizations.

Features

RescueTime offers a range of features that make it a popular choice for nonprofits. These include:

  • Website and app tracking
  • Focus time tracking
  • Reporting and analytics
  • Integrations with other tools

Integrations

RescueTime integrates with a range of tools, including:

  • Trello
  • Asana
  • Google Calendar
  • Slack
  • And many more

Pricing

RescueTime offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets. The basic plan is free, while the premium plan starts at $6 per user per month.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Time Tracking Software

When choosing time tracking software for your nonprofit, there are several factors to consider. These include:

  1. Cost: Consider the cost of the software and whether it fits within your nonprofit’s budget.

  2. Ease of Use: Look for software that is easy to use and requires minimal training.

  3. Integration with Other Tools: Consider whether the software integrates with other tools that your nonprofit uses, such as project management software or accounting software.

  4. Reporting and Analytics: Look for software that provides detailed reporting and analytics to help you monitor productivity and billable hours.

  5. Customization Options: Consider whether the software allows you to customize it to meet the specific needs of your nonprofit.

Best Practices for Using Time Tracking Software

To use time tracking software effectively, it is important to follow best practices. These include:

  1. Set Clear Expectations

Before implementing time tracking software, it is important to communicate clearly with employees about why it is necessary and how it will be used. This will help to ensure buy-in and reduce resistance to the new system.

  1. Choose the Right Software

There are many time tracking solutions available, so it is important to choose one that meets the specific needs of your nonprofit. Consider factors such as cost, ease of use, and integration with other tools.

  1. Train Employees

Once you have chosen a time tracking software, it is important to provide training to employees to ensure they understand how to use it effectively. This will help to reduce errors and ensure accurate tracking of time.

  1. Monitor Usage

It is important to monitor usage of the time tracking software to ensure that employees are using it correctly and consistently. This will help to ensure accurate reporting and billing.

  1. Use Data to Inform Decision-Making

Time tracking software generates a wealth of data that can be used to inform decision-making and improve nonprofit operations. Use this data to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.

Common Challenges with Time Tracking Software

Despite the benefits of time tracking software, there are some common challenges that nonprofits may face. These include:

  1. Resistance to Change: Employees may be resistant to using new software, especially if they are used to manual time tracking methods.

  2. Inaccurate Time Tracking: If employees are not using the software correctly or consistently, time tracking data may be inaccurate.

  3. Lack of Employee Buy-In: If employees do not see the value in time tracking software, they may not use it consistently or accurately.

  4. Integration Issues: If the time tracking software does not integrate well with other tools that your nonprofit uses, it may be difficult to use effectively.

  5. Technical Difficulties: If the software is not user-friendly or experiences technical difficulties, it may be difficult to use effectively.

Tips for Overcoming Common Challenges

To overcome common challenges with time tracking software, consider the following tips:

  1. Address Employee Concerns

Communicate the benefits of time tracking software to employees and address any concerns they may have. Provide training and support to help employees use the software effectively.

  1. Provide Ongoing Training and Support

Provide ongoing training and support to ensure that employees are using the software correctly and consistently. Encourage open communication and feedback to address any issues or concerns.

  1. Encourage Open Communication

Encourage open communication between employees and management to address any issues or concerns related to time tracking software. This will help to ensure that the software is being used effectively and accurately.

  1. Monitor Usage and Address Issues Promptly

Monitor usage of the time tracking software and address any issues or concerns promptly. This will help to ensure that the software is being used effectively and accurately.

  1. Continuously Evaluate and Improve the Software

Continuously evaluate and improve the time tracking software to ensure that it meets the specific needs of your nonprofit. Use data to inform decision-making and identify areas for improvement.

Best Practices for Time Tracking in Nonprofits

To use time tracking effectively in nonprofits, consider the following best practices:

  1. Set Realistic Goals and Expectations

Set realistic goals and expectations for time tracking in your nonprofit. Communicate these goals and expectations to employees to ensure buy-in and accountability.

  1. Encourage Accountability and Responsibility

Encourage accountability and responsibility among employees for accurate time tracking. Provide incentives for accurate and consistent time tracking.

  1. Foster a Culture of Transparency and Trust

Foster a culture of transparency and trust in your nonprofit by communicating openly about time tracking and other aspects of nonprofit management.

  1. Use Time Tracking Data to Improve Operations

Use time tracking data to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to improve nonprofit operations.

  1. Continuously Evaluate and Improve Time Tracking Practices

Continuously evaluate and improve time tracking practices to ensure that they are meeting the specific needs of your nonprofit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, time tracking software is an essential tool for nonprofit management, as it helps organizations to monitor employee productivity, allocate resources effectively, and ensure compliance with grant requirements. By choosing the right software and following best practices for implementation and usage, nonprofits can streamline their operations and improve their overall effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Time tracking software is a tool that helps organizations monitor employee productivity, allocate resources effectively, and ensure compliance with grant requirements.

Nonprofits should consider factors such as cost, ease of use, integration with other tools, reporting and analytics, and customization options when choosing time tracking software.

Common challenges with time tracking software include resistance to change, inaccurate time tracking, lack of employee buy-in, integration issues, and technical difficulties.

Nonprofits can overcome common challenges with time tracking software by addressing employee concerns, providing ongoing training and support, encouraging open communication, monitoring usage and addressing issues promptly, and continuously evaluating and improving the software.

How to Cheat Time Tracking Software

There is a safe, undetectable way to hack time tracking apps into “thinking” that you are working while you are away from your PC. You can keep tracking time, and still take a break from work. Staying active while on a break can be achieved by using the TrickTack desktop application for Windows.

That is how it works:

  • Register for a 10-days free trial.
  • Install and start using the TrickTack app.
  • Start producing keyboard and mouse activity whenever you take a break.
  • Stop worrying about the screenshots, using scrolling, app and browser tab switching feature.

TrickTack is a desktop application for Windows PC which helps users create activity reports for use with any time monitoring program by simulating human activity.

While not really using your PC, TrickTack enables you to produce reports on mouse and keyboard activities. TrickTack software is “using” your mouse and keyboard while you are away.

Time tracking tools “records” this generated activity and saves it together with “actual” user-provided data.

So, even while you are away from your keyboard or taking a break, your PC keeps working for you. This is quite similar to having a personal assistant.

You may test the product for 10 days without making an initial payment by using the offered free trial, free to cancel at any time!

What is TrickTack?

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