YOUR VOICE SHAPES THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL IN THE CHARITY SECTOR

The sector is at a pivotal moment. AI adoption is accelerating, finances are under pressure, and the gap between large and small charities is growing. Help us understand what’s really happening and what needs to change.

Our survey takes just 15 minutes to complete. Complete it for a chance to win £300 unrestricted funding for your charity! This year, thanks to the generosity of Media Trust we are also offering all voluntary sector groups the chance to win one of 10 free places on their comms courses.

how it works

Now in its tenth year, the Charity Digital Skills Report is the annual barometer of digital and AI adoption, skills, attitudes, funding and support needs across the UK charity sector. Whether you’re just getting started with digital or fully embedded in your strategy, your perspective matters. This survey is for everyone: staff, CEOs, trustees, volunteers, and anyone in between. You don’t need to be a digital expert to take part.

The survey

We cover a range of topics including your organisation’s digital priorities, AI adoption, skills and capacity, barriers and funding needs. All questions are optional, answer as many or as few as you like. There are no right or wrong answers.

The report

We’ll publish the full findings here by July 2026 and share them widely across the sector. Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to know. We’ll use what you tell us to advocate for better funding and support for charities.

The findings

Every year your responses help us track how the sector is evolving and build the evidence base that funders, infrastructure organisations and policymakers need to provide the right support. This year we’re particularly focused on AI adoption, the growing digital divide, and what charities need to move forward with confidence.

WHAT DID WE FIND LAST YEAR?

672 charity professionals shared their experiences in 2025. Here’s a snapshot of what they told us:

Strategy

44% of charities have a digital strategy in place.

AI use

76% of charities are using AI in their organisations.

Digital progress

63% of charities have moved forward this year.

CEO AI skills

36% say that their CEO has poor AI skills.

Data protection

23% of charities see data protection and cybersecurity as low priority.

Social media

51% of charities have either left or cut back on their use of X.

Trustees

28% of charities say that their boards have poor digital skills.

Priorities

Digital is a priority for 74% of charities.

Digital inclusion

64% of black led charities are providing support with digital inclusion.

Inclusion

42% of charities say commitment to this is very important when choosing a supplier.

These findings are already shaping how funders and support organisations respond. Your contribution to the 2026 survey will help us keep that pressure on.

Why take part?

Help shift funding and policy

The data you share directly influences how funders invest in digital support for the sector. Year on year, our findings are used by organisations providing funding and infrastructure to make the case for change.

Benchmark where your charity stand

See how your organisation compares to others at a similar stage of their digital journey: from curious beginners to fully advanced. Whether you’re developing your first digital strategy or exploring responsible AI adoption, this is your chance to see where you sit.

Understand the bigger picture

With AI reshaping the sector at speed, knowing how others are responding: what’s working, what the barriers are, where the risks lie, is invaluable. Our data gives your whole team a shared reference point for decisions.

Measure your skills gaps

Identify where your charity needs to grow its digital and AI capabilities, and find out what support and resources are available. We share helpful tools and resources at the end of the survey.

Add your voice to the evidence

The more organisations that take part, the stronger the evidence. If you want funders to prioritise digital skills, responsible AI support, or infrastructure investment, this is how you make that case.

Sector response

Find out what leaders think of the survey and what our reports mean for the charity sector.

It’s promising to see so many charities still committed to sharing their digital progress. This report is an important tool to help us reflect on our own journeys and remind us we are all experiencing similar challenges and successes.

This report highlights some really interesting points, many of which we come across regularly when discussing digital issues with the charities with whom we work.

It is really wonderful to have the continuing insight provide by the Charity Digital Skills Report and to be able to see the developing trends.

This report provides invaluable insight into the different balance of needs across the charity sector.

I have tracked the results of the Charity Digital Skills surveys for several years now, as the insights it provides are important benchmarks for the sector, and highlight the areas we all need to be focusing on in order to enable positive change.

I am delighted that the Charity Digital Skills Report continues to shine a light on the ever changing digital landscape.

The Charity Digital Skills Report has helped the sector and its suppliers shape how it is supported and highlighted the key focus areas.