What is the Charity Digital Skills report?

The Charity Digital Skills Report is an annual survey that measures digital adoption across the sector. This year, 635 charities responded, and the Breeze team are using this valuable research to inform our approach and target our support more effectively. 

Our key takeaways: 

1. The report highlights the complexity of progressing with digital adoption against a backdrop of ongoing challenges across the sector.  

“It is a year when tech use across the sector has evolved and yet overall digital progress remains static. We can clearly see the impact of the cost of living crisis on charities and their organisational development. A lack of capacity, headspace and financial pressures are all preventing progress with digital.” 

2. Charity leaders are thinking strategically about digital  

The stats:

Overall, half (50%) of charities have a strategy in place for digital (advanced or advancing categories). This is very similar to the 48% last year, indicating that digital progress has been static since 2023. 

Furthermore, 45% say that their digital strategy is a priority this year.  

A quarter of charities say that digital is one of their top organisational priorities (27%). 

45% cite a lack of suitable digital funding as their biggest barrier.

Finding funds to invest in infrastructure, systems and tools is a barrier for 60% of charities, a significant increase on the 49% last year 

This year, only a third (32%) of charities are prioritising investing in infrastructure and systems, significantly less than the 45% last year. 

The most significant barriers to progressing with digital are: squeezed organisational finances (68%) and lack of headspace and capacity (66%). Last year, only 27% said the cost of living crisis was affecting their progress. 

Almost 7 out of 10 charities (68%) are struggling to progress digitally due to their finances, headspace and capacity. 

The practical implementation required to strengthen digital infrastructure is prohibitively expensive during a cost of living crisis. We are working with charity leaders who are prioritising digital and want to progress with their plans, but they are currently held back by financial constraints. An example of this, is an Edinburgh-based charity we worked with to support the development of a comprehensive digital strategy and roadmap. The board, CEO, and staff are ready to act, but progress has halted as they lack the funds to implement the plan. 

3. There is a growing divide in progress.

The report shows a real risk of smaller charities and marginalised groups being left behind.  We need to address the barriers so everyone can progress with a solid digital baseline in place. 

Examples of the issues are demonstrated with the following stats:

72% of small charities are struggling digitally due to squeezed organisational finances.

30% of small charities do not have a CRM, compared to 13% of large charities. 

A third of charities (32%), both small and large, would like support with data, to focus on how to choose a CRM or review their needs for it. 

This is significant because the lack of a CRM system will hinder an organisation in every aspect of their operations. From understanding how their audience are engaging with them, to communicating their impact to funders. Even with a CRM, some organisations struggle due to inadequate training or unmet needs. Support to find the right tools and embrace what technology can offer to manage data is an essential lifeline for organisations struggling in this area. 

Our Accelerate programme offers funded digital support for those who meet the criteria in Scotland. 

4. Many charities are beginning to explore their use of AI

However, factual accuracy, potential bias and discrimination, and human rights and environmental concerns are all legitimate concerns.

The stats:

61% of charities are currently using AI in their day-to-day work or operations  

The most popular uses and functions of AI tools are:  

1. Developing online content (e.g. social media posts and generating images) (33%).  

2. Administrative tasks such as summarising meeting notes (32%).  

3. Drafting documents and reports (28%).  

4. Generating ideas/creativity (e.g. to start a project) (27%).  

5. Research and info  

37% of charities say they are not taking any steps to engage further with AI. This rises to 47% of small charities and falls to only 14% of large charities. 

Half of charities (57%) are looking to take part in external training, support, guidance or informal opportunities to engage further with AI this year. 

Summary

The report is a valuable resource for funders and support providers to show how charities need time, capacity, people, support, and funding to digitalise.

Support to strengthen digital infrastructure is crucial to overcome systemic barriers to technology adoption. This involves working with charities where they are at now and helping them to make a sustainable plan for the future.   

Breeze digital is a social enterprise, supporting the practical digitalisation of the third sector. We offer hands on support on everything from digital strategy and infrastructure reviews, to CRM guidance. If you need help with anything digital, please get in touch.