"How do I get help?"
Explains the programs, hours and eligibility basics you've written in, and takes a message or books an intake with the case manager.
How the receptionist worksThe week
The calls that go unanswered today
Each one is a client, a claim or a job that went to whoever picked up.
- SAT 15:15A donor with produce to drop off
Voicemail, and the produce goes in the compost.
- TUE 10:30Someone who needs services, calling the helpline
The volunteer on shift is at the site, and the office line rings in an empty room.
- THU 17:45A major donor returning the director's call
Goes to the director's personal cell, which is off.
- MON 09:00Twelve volunteers asking about Saturday's shift
The same answer twelve times.
Setups by size
How nonprofits run Ody, at every size
Pick the shape of your business. Every feature below links to its own page; every setup is one you can build in an afternoon.
One number, forwarded to whoever is on
The org has a number. Whoever is on shift answers it.
One organization number on the website and flyers. Forward it to the volunteer on shift, or ring the app on the director's phone. When nobody can answer, the receptionist gives hours and drop-off details, takes messages and texts back.
- Call forwardingForward the line to the volunteer on shift
Send the organization number to any phone in two clicks: the Saturday volunteer's cell, the director, the board chair. Forwarded calls stay in the log with where they went.
- Business voicemailVoicemail transcripts the whole team can read
Every number gets voicemail with a custom greeting and a transcript in the inbox on every plan. Or route to the receptionist and skip voicemail.
- AI receptionistThe receptionist when nobody is on
Set hours on the line. Inside them it rings the person on shift and the receptionist picks up if they don't. Outside them it answers first ring with hours, drop-off details and how to get help.
- Phone numbersA number that belongs to the organization
One local number is included with your seat. It stays with the org when volunteers and staff change; porting your existing number is free.
AI receptionist
The calls a nonprofit gets, answered whether or not someone is on.
You describe programs, hours, eligibility basics, donation logistics, volunteer shifts and your crisis referrals. The receptionist answers from that and routes anything sensitive to a person.
Drop-offs and giving
Gives drop-off hours and location, texts the address and the online giving link, and notifies the volunteer on shift.
Business texting"When is my shift? How do I sign up?"
Answers from the shift schedule you keep in its instructions and texts the signup link.
How the receptionist worksMajor donors and grant contacts
Takes the message with the name and organization and creates a priority task for the director.
Shared inboxCallers who need immediate help
Follows your crisis script exactly: 988, 911 or the partner hotline you specify, then a note to the coordinator.
How the receptionist worksWeekends and evenings
Answers first ring, gives hours and next steps, takes messages, texts back anyone who hung up.
How the receptionist worksThe record
Every call in one inbox, whoever answered it.
Voicemail transcripts are on every plan. On Growth and above, recorded calls on lines you choose are transcribed and summarized. Many organizations record the development line and leave the helpline off.
- Voicemail transcripts on every plan
- Recording, transcript and AI summary on the lines you enable
- Search by caller, donor or phrase
- Donor calls pushed to your CRM through Make and webhooks
Call summaryGenerated by Ody
- Caller
- Donor Marta · +1 (512) 555-1311
- Reason
- About forty pounds of garden produce to donate; asked about Saturday hours.
- Told
- Back dock accepts produce Saturdays until 5. Address texted. Shift volunteer notified.
- Next action
- Volunteer to meet Marta at the green door.
Your stack
Works alongside your donor and volunteer tools
Native integrations are listed as such. Donor CRMs and volunteer platforms have no native connection yet, so Ody reaches them through Make, webhooks or the REST API.
- Bloomerang, Salesforce NPSP, Little Green LightMake, webhooks or APIAPI docs
Push donor call summaries via Make or the REST API webhooks
- CSV importNativeIntegration
import donors and volunteers so callers show up by name
- Mailchimp, BrevoNativeIntegration
supporters who opt in added to your list
- SlackNativeIntegration
donor calls and helpline messages posted to the team channel
- StripeNativeIntegration
donation status on the supporter thread
- MakeNativeIntegration
connect Givebutter, SignUpGenius and the rest
Browse all 43 integrations, or connect anything else through Make and the REST API.
Rollout
Live in an afternoon, not a quarter
No hardware, no consultant, no call-flow diagram. Four steps and the line is answered.
- 01
Port or add the org's number
Bring the number on the flyers over so it belongs to the organization, not a volunteer. Porting is free.
- 02
Describe the organization
Programs, hours, eligibility basics, donation logistics, shifts, crisis referrals. Plain sentences.
- 03
Set the routing
Shared helpline rings the shift, then the coordinator, then the receptionist; forward the line when the roster changes.
- 04
Invite the roster
Volunteers install the app and answer from their own phones. Read a week of transcripts and tighten the notes.
Resources
Guides for nonprofits
The concepts behind this setup, explained without the jargon.
What businesses need to know about shared numbersHow one number rings a whole team, why the carrier still sees a single DID, and where shared lines beat extensions and separate direct numbers.Read guide What businesses need to know about call forwardingLearn the difference between unconditional, busy, and no-reply forwarding, and how SIP 302 and simultaneous ring actually behave.Read guide What businesses need to know about voicemailLearn how greetings, no-answer timers, transcription, and shared boxes work, and why ringless voicemail is regulated as a call.Read guide
FAQ
Nonprofits: common questions
More industries
Also in education & community, and nearby
Schools, nonprofits and the people who volunteer for them.
Education & communitySchools & childcareAbsence and pickup calls routed by menu, closures texted to every family, voicemails transcribed.Health & wellnessHome care agenciesCaregiver call-outs, family calls and on-call coordinators reached around the clock.Health & wellnessTherapy & counselingA second number that isn't your cell, intake calls answered between sessions.
Comparing options? Ody vs Google Voice · Ody vs Grasshopper · Ody vs RingCentral
All industries Home services, Cleaning services, Landscaping & lawn care, Pest control, Moving companies, Contractors & remodelers, Medical practices, Dental practices, Veterinary clinics, Therapy & counseling, Physical therapy & chiropractic, Home care agencies, Insurance agencies, Law firms, Accounting & tax firms, Agencies & consultants, Financial advisors, Staffing & recruiting, IT services & MSPs, Real estate, Property management, Restaurants, Salons & spas, Fitness studios & gyms, Auto repair shops, Hotels & vacation rentals, Retail shops, Trucking & logistics, Towing & roadside, Ecommerce brands, Startups & SaaS, Schools & childcare, Nonprofits