[EMBARGOED UNTIL 1AM FRIDAY 27 MARCH]
Technology more important than ever for not-for-profits
Upgrading out-of-date infrastructure and making better use of online media are top priorities for Australian and New
Zealand not-for-profits in their efforts to keep up in the digital age.
The results of the ICT in the Not-For-Profit Sector Survey, released today by Infoxchange, Connecting Up and Techsoup New Zealand, uncover that many not-for-profits are facing
significant IT challenges that are impacting their overall productivity.
David Spriggs, CEO of Infoxchange, says shrinking supporter engagement and decreased funding across the board have
created an urgent need for not-for-profits to become more productive and effective.
“Historically, not-for-profits have invested mostly in frontline service delivery, where their dollars have the most
impact, but we have found that the lack of investment in IT is creating a number of challenges including decreasing
revenue,” David says.
“30 percent of organisations that rated their IT capability as ‘challenged’ reported a decrease in revenue over the last
12 months, compared with only 11 percent that rated their IT as ‘leading’.
“Without the right technology to drive supporter engagement, facilitate service delivery, measure client and community
outcomes, and communicate success, not-for-profits will be unable to compete into the future.”
“We need to make sure we provide the right support for these organisations so this doesn’t happen.”
Over 600 organisations of varying sizes from across the not-for-profit sector were surveyed, predominantly in education
and training, community development, health and youth services.
“We have found that the size of the organisation doesn’t hinder its ability to improve its IT to a functional level,
which is great news for those smaller not-for-profits,” David says.
Anne Gawen, CEO of Connecting Up, says not-for-profits are struggling to keep up with the rapid changes in technology
and don’t always know how or where to invest their efforts.
“While many not-for-profits are doing very well, around half of the organisations surveyed have difficulty identifying
what to do to improve their IT and finding the right people to implement these changes,” Anne says.
“The insights from our survey have helped us understand these challenges and what is working well, as well as where
organisations could improve their technology use.
“Infoxchange, Connecting Up and TechSoup will use these insights to ensure we are address these problem areas to create
a stronger and more productive sector that can weather future challenges.”
The report was completed in partnership with award-winning management consulting firm, Nous Group.
ABOUT INFOXCHANGE:
Infoxchange is a not-for-profit social enterprise that delivers technology for social justice. We work to strengthen
communities and organisations, using technology as the primary tool to create positive social change. Find out more
ABOUT CONNECTING UP:
Connecting Up is a not-for-profit organisation that supports other not-for-profits with technology via a range of
programs including technology donations & discounts, events & webinars, an annual conference plus online directories. Find out more
ABOUT TECHSOUP:
TechSoup New Zealand is the locally-based program for New Zealand, administered by Connecting Up. Both TechSoup New
Zealand and Connecting Up are part of the TechSoup Global network of organisations, enabling social change through
technology. Find out more