COVID-19 hit all organisations hard. Many charities struggled to survive the imposed lockdowns and socialising rules. Now that the worst of the pandemic is – hopefully – behind us, charitable organisations are starting to turn their attention to the future. How can we regain some stability? What can we do to protect ourselves against something like this happening again?
Of course, there are many aspects to consider and plan for.
However, a key part of this is digital transformation. Integrated online technologies carefully tailored to the workplace and needs of all stakeholders will provide the backbone to future-proofing all enterprises, including charities.
Is your organisation struggling to get moving in this field? Here are a few ways to help your charity embrace digital technologies and transformation.
What are the main obstacles to charities in 2022?
First, it’s worth considering the main obstacles to charities in their digital transformation. A recent report from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), entitled Charity Landscape 2022, has investigated the most common difficulties across the field and whether digital technologies have been implemented.
It concludes that the most pressing challenge for individual charities was generating income or achieving financial sustainability (58%), while 26% also identified a reduction in public or Government funding as an issue. This makes perfect sense in these years of economic hardship, stemming from the pandemic and other world-shaking events.
The report sums up the difficulties facing many charities, despite the increased demands most saw over the months and years of COVID. In fact, most charity leaders are optimistic about their organisation’s future (81%), despite pessimism about the broader sector (50%) as we advance. As might be expected, the more income a charity had, the more likely they were to feel positive.
Is there a need for digital transformation in charities?
Digital transformation, when carefully planned and executed, is proven to reduce costs and streamline processes, freeing staff up to focus on the ‘core’ work of their organisation. For charities, this is invaluable and requires sustained investment to maintain.
There’s more good news. Among charity leadership, almost everyone (89%) recognises the need to embrace digital transformation. However, organisations with more than £5 million in income were more likely to have invested in IT, new technology and online solutions.
So, the willpower is there, and a considerable amount has already been done, much of it happening during the first year of the pandemic. However, charities shouldn’t take their eyes off the ball now. They must continue to push, implementing new technologies and ensuring all workplace practices are streamlined. There’s a danger of sitting back and relaxing when it’s crucial to keep going. Doing so will maximise the benefits of digital technology.
Digital transformation is already benefiting charities in many ways. Many charities are still using outdated methods of managing and storing data, which can limit their ability to deliver services effectively. Cloud technology is providing increased storage capacity and computing power at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. This allows charities to manage their operations more efficiently and focus on their mission.
Cloud-based solutions can also help charities to better engage with their donors and supporters, and to provide a better experience for those who use their services. With online fundraising is becoming increasingly popular, providing another avenue for donations.
Social media platforms provide a way to reach new donors or volunteers and help connect with current supporters in new ways. Overall, digital transformation is making it easier for charities to do what they do best: help those in need.
What should charities do to embrace digital transformation?
Page 7 of the report perhaps provides us with one of the most essential points. The statement is about raising funds through online advertisements, applications and campaigns. It mentions that ‘only one in four [charity leaders] report having the knowledge to make this online fundraising available’.
Although the desire is there, the expertise to make the most of online fundraising campaigns is still broadly missing. This should be one of the main discussion points for charities as they embrace digital transformation, since falling behind in internet-based contributions and donations could significantly suffocate income.
It likely represents the immediate need for either upskilling the IT workforce in charities or, as page 8 points out, linking with other similar organisations and going to the market as a group. If these groups bring sets of common requirements together, IT solutions can be found, and the cost can be split between all parties. This could significantly reduce costs while simultaneously embracing digital technologies and would be particularly helpful for smaller charities with modest budgets.
In short, charities should continue to invest in digital transformation, perhaps through the idea mentioned above on page 8. By putting money into online fundraising solutions/cost-cutting measures first, they can take the extra income further to apply it to the rest of their organisation. This will help charities to both survive and thrive over the coming years.
How can AMDH Services help your charity?
AMDH Services Ltd is an IT consultancy based in the East Midlands. We’re highly experienced and truly believe that embracing digital transformation is the most critical step for all charities in today’s age. We partner with all our clients to introduce to best possible solutions for all your stakeholders, ensuring everything is cost-effective and future-proof.
Interested in how we can help? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at info@amdhservicesltd.com or by phone at 01332 322 588. We’re always happy to have a free, no-obligation chat about your charity and how we can help you cut costs and drive donations.
We look forward to hearing from you!
