Why Non-Profits Are Switching to Dynamics 365 Business Central

Running a non-profit means juggling funding, reporting, compliance, and making sure every dollar is put to good use. But if your accounting system is outdated, it makes everything much harder than it needs to be. That’s exactly what happened to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada and the United Church of Canada. Their legacy systems were slowing them down, so they switched to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Here’s what they learned and what your own non-profit can take away from their experience.

1. Old Software Was Holding Them Back

Heart & Stroke was using an outdated version of Microsoft Dynamics GP. It wasn’t designed for remote work, which made it difficult for their teams across Canada to collaborate.

The United Church was working with an older Dynamics NAV system that didn’t integrate well with their other Microsoft tools. This made financial reporting and compliance more complex than necessary.

Key takeaway: If your accounting system is slowing you down, making remote work difficult, or forcing you to rely on workarounds, it’s time for an upgrade.

2. Moving to the Cloud Saved Time and Money

By switching to Dynamics 365 Business Central, both organizations reduced costs and eliminated manual work.

• Heart & Stroke reduced operational costs by 95% by automating payables and eliminating expensive third-party services.
• The United Church saved 30% on IT
  infrastructure costs by removing outdated servers and unnecessary software.
• The United Church’s finance team also saved more than 20 hours per week by eliminating manual calculations and troubleshooting integration issues.

Key takeaway: Upgrading to Business Central helps non-profits save money, automate financial processes, and free up time to focus on their mission.

3. Security and Compliance Became Easier

Non-profits handle donor data, funding allocations, and strict financial regulations. Before switching, both Heart & Stroke and the United Church relied on outdated servers, which created security risks.

Now, with Business Central’s cloud-based infrastructure, they benefit from:

• Built-in Microsoft 365 security features
• Automatic backups and disaster recovery
• Easier compliance reporting with audit-ready financial data

Key takeaway: A modern cloud-based system provides stronger security and compliance features, and doesn’t complicate IT.

4. Financial Reporting and Tracking Improved

Both organizations needed a clearer view of budgets, funding, and expenses. With Business Central, they were able to automate fund accounting which made it easier to track donations and program budgets. They also gained real-time access to financial reports, eliminated manual reporting, and reduced errors.

Key takeaway: If your finance team spends too much time on spreadsheets, Business Central can automate reporting and improve financial transparency.

5. Seamless Integration with Microsoft Tools

One of the biggest benefits of Business Central is how well it connects with other Microsoft solutions. Heart & Stroke is now positioned to integrate AI-powered insights with Microsoft Copilot in the future. And the United Church unified Office 365, SharePoint, and Dynamics 365 Sales to improve collaboration across teams.

Key takeaway: If you’re already using Microsoft tools, switching to Business Central ensures everything works together. This reduces complexity and improves productivity.

Is It Time for Your Non-Profit to Upgrade?

If your non-profit is struggling with manual work, outdated systems, or security concerns, a cloud-based ERP like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central could be the solution.

At 360 Visibility, we’ve helped organizations like Heart & Stroke and The United Church of Canada make the transition - and we can help you too. Let’s talk about how Business Central can streamline your non-profit accounting.