we're passionate about gathering data to help your charity move forward with digital
For 8 years, we’ve been tracking the sector’s digital journey. Together, we can shape the future of digital and AI in the charity sector.
Our survey takes just 15 minutes to complete. Complete it for a chance to win £300 unrestricted funding for your charity!
how it works
Established in 2017, the Charity Digital Skills Report is the definitive annual barometer of digital skills, attitudes and support needs across the sector. Last year, 635 charity professionals shared their insights – our highest participation ever!
Don’t be fooled by our name! This survey is relevant to all UK based charity, non-profit and social sector organisations. You might be a staff member, CEO, trustee or volunteer. Anyone can complete the survey, even if digital is not your area of expertise.
The survey
We include a range of questions about your overall organisational priorities, barriers and funding needs, as well as specific digital skills and challenges. All the questions are optional, you don’t need to be an expert (although you might be!) and you don’t need to complete them all.
The report
We will publish all our results here by July 2025 and share these widely. You can opt in to join our mailing list and be notified about our work. Building on eight years of data, we’ll use these insights to advocate for targeted funding and support that addresses the digital divide within the sector.
The findings
Your participation over the past eight years has helped us track the sector’s digital evolution and identify critical success factors. The insights you’ve provided have informed funders, policymakers, and support organisations about where to focus their efforts. In 2024, we highlighted how the cost of living crisis affected digital progress and the growing interest in AI – your input in 2025 will help shape the next chapter of digital transformation.
key findings
Last year, 635 charity professionals shared invaluable insights about their digital journey. The 2024 report revealed that while tech use evolved, overall digital progress remained static due to the cost of living crisis. Despite these challenges, 80% of charities now see digital as an organisational priority, and many are beginning to explore AI tools. We also identified a significant gap between large and small charities’ digital capabilities, with smaller organisations – often led by marginalised groups – facing greater barriers. Read the full 2024 report here.
50%
of charities have a strategy in place for digital
76%
of charities feel they’ve made digital progress this year
54%
of charities see building online presence and social media engagement as vital
61%
of charities are currently using AI in their day-to-day work or operations
39%
of charities want their CEO to keep up to date with emerging tech trends and AI tools
25%
of charities are using digital to reduce their carbon footprint
45%
of charities say a lack of suitable digital funding is their biggest barrier
62%
of charities say their trustees’ digital skills are low or could improve
65%
of black led charities are struggling to find funds to invest in devices, software and infrastructure
72%
of small charities are struggling digitally due to squeezed organisational finances
Why take part in 2025?
As we enter the eighth year of the Charity Digital Skills Report, your participation has never been more crucial. With AI adoption accelerating and digital inequalities widening, we need your insights to advocate for the right support and funding. By taking part, you can reflect on your digital progress through a challenging economic climate and benchmark against sector trends.
- Navigate the AI landscape with confidence Understand how your charity can responsibly adopt AI tools while addressing skills gaps, ethical considerations, and resource constraints. Last year’s report showed many charities starting their AI journey – where are you on this path?
- Benchmark your digital resilience in a challenging economic climate Compare your digital capabilities against organisations of similar size and mission. Our 2024 data revealed significant disparities between large and small charities – understand where you stand and what targeted support you need.
- Identify funding and support needs for your digital transformation Help us advocate for the specific resources the sector needs. Our 2024 report highlighted that charities need time, capacity, people, support and funding to develop their digital capabilities – your input helps us make the case to funders.
Sector response
Find out what leaders think of the survey and what our reports mean for the charity sector.
