01 Aug 2025

What Are Electronic Health Records? A Guide for Nonprofits

What Are Electronic Health Records (EHR)?

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are digital versions of a patient’s medical history. They include key information such as diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, and test results. Unlike simple electronic charts, EHR systems are built to share information securely across care teams and systems—supporting better coordination and long-term health outcomes.

For nonprofits, EHRs enable community care teams to track holistic health and social determinants of health (SDOH) in real time.

Why Nonprofits Need an Electronics Health Record (EHR) Platform

While EHRs are standard in clinical settings, nonprofit organizations and community health programs often lack access to tools that reflect nonprofit workflows and resource constraints. Here’s where purpose-built EHR platforms like Pillar stand out.

1. Streamlined Case Management

Nonprofits work with diverse populations across housing, food security, behavioral health, and chronic care. Pillar’s EHR solution integrates directly with case management tools, enabling your team to :

Log client encounters in real time
Share referrals across trusted providers
Monitor care plans across medical and social needs
Automate updates for grant reporting

“Our staff used to rely on spreadsheets and email. Now we have a full view of each client’s journey.” – Community Health Coordinator, NYC

2. Secure, Compliant Recordkeeping

Community organizations handle sensitive data and must meet HIPAA and local compliance standards. With Pillar :

All records are encrypted and role-based
Audit logs track every change
Templates and workflows are compliance-ready, reducing risk

Explore our Compliance blog to understand how nonprofits can meet HIPAA and grant requirements.

3. Collaboration Across Programs and Partners

Pillar’s EHR supports cross-agency collaboration—whether you’re coordinating care with a shelter, behavioral health provider, or food pantry. The system offers:

Shared dashboards across partner orgs
Automated referral tracking
Outcome-based reporting tied to funding goals

Electronics Health Records in Action: Real-World Impact for Nonprofits

Nonprofits using Pillar’s EHR platform have seen :

35% faster intake and assessment processes
Up to 50% improvement in grant report preparation time
Increased referral completion rates across SDOH programs

Whether you're managing maternal health initiatives, elder care, or homeless outreach—an EHR system tailored to your needs can dramatically improve how your team works and how your clients are supported.

Get Started with Pillar’s EHR Platform

Pillar by SocialRoots.ai is built for nonprofits from the ground up—combining intuitive design, compliance automation, and holistic case coordination. Empower your organization to move beyond paper records and disconnected tools.