This year, our data does support the case for dedicated and tailored funding and support for organisations led by the specific marginalised groups we identified (read more in this blog post). The same can also be said for organisations dedicated to supporting those communities. Each of these groups have higher proportions of organisations at the earliest digital stage.
However, those offering dedicated funding or support should be mindful that these groups are not all beginners with digital. A significant proportion will be further along on their digital journey. We strongly recommend that any dedicated funding and support is designed based on further user research with the intended groups.
“We’ve experienced challenges where support is either too basic, assuming as a small charity we have very low competence, or too ‘big’ for us.”
Key insights from across each group
- Our sample: It is important to note that the groups we identified intersect and many charities support multiple groups. For example, 45 say they support black communities, other racialised communities and refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. As such, these groups share similar challenges and priorities for digital. See our introduction for more details about responses from each group.
- Early stages with digital: Higher proportions of organisations led by each group say they are at an earlier stage with digital. For example, 32% of black-led charities are at the earliest curious stage, compared to 19% of all charities. In comparison, there are no differences in the digital skills or responses between organisations led by lived experience of any kind (278 responses) in comparison to all responses.
- Digital services: These groups are delivering more digital services in comparison to our overall sample (46% overall); for example, 65% of those supporting LQBTQIA+ people, 62% supporting people with marginalised genders and 52% supporting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
- Cost of living: Higher proportions face challenges linked to the cost of living crisis and are struggling to find funds to invest in digital infrastructure. This is particularly acute for organisations supporting people experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
- Systems and tools: Higher proportions are struggling with their organisation’s website (compared to 39% of all responses). This is an acute challenge for those supporting people experiencing domestic violence and abuse (50%) and those supporting black communities (47%).
- Supporting clients with digital skills: This is a top priority for half of black-led charities (51%), as well as 42% of those supporting black communities, other racialised communities and asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. In comparison, less than a third (27%) of all responses highlight this.
Black communities
Black-led charities and those supporting black communities are ambitious with their plans for digital this year and see it as a priority. Some are progressing well, but a significant proportion are at the earliest stage of digital. Higher proportions than average face challenges linked to the cost of living crisis and are struggling to find funds to invest in digital infrastructure. Overall, there is a case for targeted funding and support.
Our sample
- 41 (9%) of the responses represent black-led organisations, 67 (14%) have a core purpose to support black communities (31 say they are both). We have noted any clear distinctions between both, as well as all responses. A third (34%) of black-led charities say they are a social enterprise (14% of all responses).
Overall digital progress
- Black-led organisations have wide-ranging digital progress, with higher proportions at the curious stage (32%, compared to 19% of all responses) and advanced stage (17% compared to 11% of all responses). 62% are delivering digital services, compared to 46% of all responses.
- For those supporting black communities, 33% are at the curious stage and 17% are advanced. Nearly half (47%) are delivering digital services (similar to all responses). 22% plan to hire new digital roles (compared to 12% of all responses).
Digital priorities
- For black-led charities, 90% say digital is a greater priority, compared to 78% of all responses and 82% of those supporting black communities. Their top three priorities this year are in line with all charities. These are to improve their website, online fundraising and use data insights more effectively.
- Half of black-led charities (54%) and those supporting black communities (51%) say their top priority this year is to create a digital strategy (41% of all charities).
- Half of black-led charities (51%) and 42% of those supporting black communities say their top priority is to support clients with digital skills, compared to 27% of all responses.
Challenges
- 41% of black-led charities and 34% of those supporting black communities say the cost of living crisis is their biggest challenge (27% of all responses).
- The biggest challenge for half of black-led charities (54%) and those supporting black communities (55%) is finding funds to invest in devices, software and infrastructure.
- 47% of those supporting black communities say their website is causing a significant challenge to their organisation (compared to 40% of black-led charities).
Progressing with digital
- Online guidance has proved most helpful this year (41%), followed by asking peers directly for advice (37%). When looking for trusted advice, this group turns to online searching (50%) and specialist digital and data support organisations (36%).
Other racialised communities
Organisations with a core purpose to support racialised communities (excluding black communities) are ambitious with their plans for digital this year. The cost of living is a significant challenge and this group also struggles to find funds to invest in digital infrastructure. Overall, there is a case for targeted funding and support.
Our sample
- 64 (13%) of the responses have a core purpose to support racialised communities (excluding black communities). We have not analysed the data for organisations led-by these communities separately due to a lack of responses (32).
Overall digital progress
- 32% say they are at the earliest, curious stage with digital, compared to 19% of all responses. Importantly, 86% say digital is a greater or much greater priority this year. Only 39% are delivering digital services.
Digital priorities
- 20% plan to hire new digital roles (compared to 12% of all responses).
- Their top three priorities this year are to improve their website (80%), online fundraising (59%), data security (58%) and to use data insights more effectively (56%).
- 56% also want to meet the needs of diverse users (compared to 45% of all responses).
- Amidst the cost of living crisis, 46% are responding by exploring how to work more effectively using digital.
- 42% say their top priority this year is to support clients with digital skills, compared to a quarter (27%) of all responses.
Challenges
- The biggest challenge for over half (56%) is finding the funds to invest in devices, software and infrastructure. 45% say they are busy firefighting and don’t prioritise digital, closely followed by needing to upskill staff and volunteers (42%).
- 38% say the cost of living crisis is their biggest challenge (compared to 27% of all responses). However, 67% indicate the cost of living crisis has affected their digital capacity. 50% are also responding by exploring how to use digital to work more effectively.
- Over half say they are poor at Search Engine Optimisation (57%), digital fundraising (56%) and keeping up to date with digital trends (52%)
- Like all charities, half (53%) say their CRM is causing a significant challenge.
Progressing with digital
- Expert advice or mentoring has helped most progress with digital this year (38%).
- This group is most likely to turn to online searching and word of mouth from recommendations from peers for trusted advice.
Asylum seekers, refugees and migrants
Organisations with a core purpose to support asylum seekers, refugees and migrants see digital as a priority. Whilst a good proportion are still at an early stage, many are delivering digital services. Priorities include supporting clients with digital skills and supporting more people. However, lack of capacity amidst the cost of living crisis is a key challenge.
Our sample
- 67 (14%) of the responses have a core purpose to support asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. We have not analysed the data for organisations led by these groups separately due to a lack of responses (16).
Overall digital progress
- 27% say they are at the earliest, curious stage with digital (compared to 19% of all responses), whilst 45% are advancing or advanced with digital.
- 80% say digital is a greater priority this year (compared to 77% of all responses)
- 52% are delivering digital services (compared to 46% of all responses)
- 39% say the cost of living crisis is their biggest challenge (compared to 27% of all responses) and 68% say this is affecting their digital capacity. A third (36%) are spending less on digital tools, whilst half (56%) are exploring how digital can help work more effectively.
Digital priorities
- Their top three priorities this year are to improve their website (79%), build digital confidence and skills amongst staff / volunteers (63%) and use data insights effectively to improve services or operations (61%)
- 42% say their top priority this year is to support clients with digital skills, compared to a quarter (27%) of all responses.
- 54% say their top ambition for digital is to support more people (33% for all charities). 55% also want to meet the needs of diverse users (45% for all).
- 42% say their top priority this year is to support clients with digital skills, compared to a quarter (27%) of all responses.
Challenges
- The biggest challenges are being busy firefighting so they don’t prioritise digital (49%), needing to upskill staff or volunteers (49%) and finding the funds to invest in devices, software and infrastructure (48%).
- Skills gaps include Search Engine Optimisation (55%), keeping up to date with digital trends (52%), digital fundraising (51%) and undertaking user research (49%).
- Over half (59%) say their CRM is causing a significant challenge.
Progressing with digital
- Expert advice or mentoring has helped most progress with digital this year (39%). This group is most likely to turn to online searching (52%) and organisations dedicated to providing digital and data support (41%) for trusted digital advice.
d/Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent people
Organisations led-by d/Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent people are at a slightly earlier stage with digital and delivering digital services. They (like all groups) would benefit from more accessible and inclusive funding practices. Lack of capacity and funds are a key challenge.
Our sample
- Here, we focus on the 56 (12%) organisations led-by d/Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent people. Whilst 117 (24%) of the responses have a core purpose to support them, their digital skills and challenges are very similar to all responses.
Overall digital progress
- Digital progress overall is in line with all responses, but a slightly higher proportion (25%) are at the earliest stage with digital (curious, 19% of all responses).
- 42% are delivering digital services, slightly less than all responses.
- 64% say digital is a greater or much greater priority this year.
- Amidst the cost of living crisis, 36% are responding by exploring how to work more effectively using digital, similar to all responses (39%) but less than other groups.
Digital priorities
- The top priorities for the next 12 months are to improve their website (79%), online fundraising (63%) and building digital confidence and skills among staff and volunteers (50%). This is similar to all responses.
- Over half (59%) would like their CEO to develop a clear vision for digital. Whilst 50% would like their board to better use data to inform decision making.
Challenges
- The biggest challenge faced by over half (56%) is finding funds to invest in devices, software and infrastructure. This is closely followed by 44% saying they are busy firefighting and lack capacity to prioritise digital.
- 38% say the cost of living crisis is their biggest challenge (compared to 27% of all responses). However, 70% indicate that the cost of living crisis has affected their digital capacity. 42% are spending less on digital tools, whilst only a third (36%) are exploring how to work more effectively with digital.
- Half (50%) say their CRM is causing a significant challenge.
- Lengthy application forms and funder processes can be a barrier to accessing funding for this group, highlighted by open responses.
Progressing with digital
- Online guidance and advice has proved most helpful for this group this year (41%), followed by asking peers directly for advice (37%)
- This group is most likely to turn to online searching (50%) and specialist digital and data support organisations (36%) when looking for trusted digital advice.
People experiencing domestic violence and abuse
Organisations with a core purpose to support people experiencing domestic violence and abuse have similar digital progress, skills and priorities to all responses. However, the cost of living crisis is having a significant impact on this group. This group is also struggling with online collaboration tools and their website.
Our sample
- 56 (11%) the responses have a core purpose to support people experiencing domestic violence and abuse. We have not analysed the data for organisations led by these groups separately due to a lack of responses (9).
Overall digital progress
- Digital progress overall is in line with all responses, except a slightly higher proportion (25%) are at the earliest curious stage (19% of all responses).
- 84% say digital is a greater priority this year (compared to 77% of all responses).
- 52% are delivering digital services (compared to 46% of all responses).
- The top change they would make at board level is better use of data to inform decision making (48%). Half would like their CEO to improve their ability to develop and embed a good digital strategy.
Digital priorities
- Most (84%) say their top priority is to improve their website and online presence, closely followed by online fundraising (63%), using data insights effectively to improve services or operations (63%) and ensuring they reach and meet the needs of more diverse users (63%).
- 59% say their top priority is to invest in their infrastructure, digital or data systems (compared to 45% of all responses).
Challenges
- The biggest challenge for over half (59%) is finding funds to invest in devices, software and infrastructure. This is closely followed by being busy firefighting and lacking capacity to prioritise digital (48%) and ad-hoc spending on IT and digital (46%).
- The cost of living crisis is the biggest challenge for 38% (compared to 27% of all responses). 60% also say this is affecting their capacity, with 30% spending less on digital tools. Despite this, half (53%) are exploring how to use digital to work more effectively.
- Interestingly, half (48%) say that online collaboration tools (e.g. Office 365, Google Workspace, Sharepoint) are creating a significant challenge for their organisation, compared to 31% of all responses. This is closely followed by their website (46%).
Progressing with digital
- Online guidance and advice have proved most helpful for this year (44%), followed by expert advice and mentoring (37%). This group is most likely to turn to online searching (50%) and organisations dedicated to digital and data support (41%).
People with marginalised genders
Organisations supporting people with marginalised genders are slightly further ahead with digital compared to all responses. Higher proportions are delivering digital services and responding to the cost of living crisis. However, there are similar challenges, particularly around finding funds to invest in infrastructure.
Our sample
- 52 (11%) the responses have a core purpose to serve people with marginalised genders. We have not analysed the data for organisations led by these groups separately due to limited responses (38, 8%).
Overall digital progress
- 23% are at the earliest curious stage (compared to 19% of all responses) and 54% are advancing or advanced (compared to 48% of all responses).
- 85% say digital is a greater or much greater priority this year (77% for all responses).
- 62% are delivering digital services, compared to 47% for all responses.
Digital priorities
- Top priorities include improving their website (79%) and using data insights to improve services and operations (67%).
- Half (51%) would like their CEO to improve their ability to develop and embed a good digital strategy. The top change they would like to see at board level is recruiting a digital trustee (56%).
- Nearly half (48%) say their top priority is to focus on the sustainability of their digital products and services. This is higher than all other groups and compares to 24% of all responses. 54% also want to improve, develop or scale digital services.
Challenges
- The biggest challenge faced for over half (58%) is finding funds to invest in our devices, software and infrastructure. This is closely followed by 42% saying they are busy firefighting and lack capacity to prioritise digital. A third (35%) say they need to upskill staff or volunteers.
- A third (35%) say the cost of living crisis is their biggest challenge (compared to 27% of all responses). Whilst 65% say the cost of living crisis has affected their digital capacity, 60% are using digital to explore how to work more effectively (this compares to 39% of all responses).
- Half (51%) say their CRM is causing a significant challenge for their organisation (this compares to 54% of all responses), whilst 44% say their website is causing challenges.
Progressing with digital
- Expert advice or mentoring has helped most this year when looking to progress with digital (49%).
- This group is most likely to turn to online searching (51%) and word of mouth recommendations when looking for trusted advice.
LGBTQIA+ people
Organisations supporting LGBTQIA+ people are slightly further ahead with digital compared to all responses. Higher proportions are delivering digital services and responding to the cost of living crisis. However, there are similar challenges, particularly around finding funds to invest in infrastructure.
Our sample
- 47 (10%) of the responses have a core purpose to support LGBTQIA+ people. We have not analysed data for organisations led-by LGBTQIA+ people separately due to a lack of responses (29).
Overall digital progress
- 30% are at the earliest curious stage (compared to 19% of all responses), 48% are advancing or advanced (the same as all responses). Nearly half (47%) say creating a digital strategy is their priority for the year ahead.
- 65% are delivering digital services, compared to 47% for all responses. Half (51%) say a top priority is to improve, develop or scale digital services (39% for all responses).
Digital priorities
- 79% say digital is a greater or much greater priority this year (77% for all responses).
- Top priorities for the next 12 months include improving their website (79%), using data to improve services and operations (62%) and building digital confidence among staff and volunteers.
Challenges
- The biggest challenge faced by over half (53%) is finding funds to invest in devices, software and infrastructure. This is closely followed by 51% saying they are busy firefighting and lack capacity to prioritise digital. 45% say they need to upskill staff or volunteers.
- 30% say the cost of living crisis is their biggest challenge. Whilst 61% say the cost of living crisis has affected their digital capacity, 50% are using digital to explore how to work more effectively (this compares to 39% of all responses).
- Half (55%) say their CRM is causing a significant challenge for their organisation, whilst 50% say their website is (compared to 39% of all responses).
Progressing with digital
- Expert advice or mentoring has helped most this year when looking to progress with digital (42%).
- This group is most likely to turn to online searching (58%), word of mouth recommendations (33%) and organisations dedicated to providing digital and data support (33%) when looking for trusted advice.
Nations and regions
For the first time, we are able to provide a dedicated overview of digital skills in Scotland and Wales. In this section of the report, we include some topline data about digital progress across the UK. We also provide a section dedicated to Wales and Northern Ireland. The data tables for all questions for these groups are available on our website for further investigation.
Regional differences in digital maturity
There are more charities at the earliest stages with digital in the Midlands, compared to the rest of the UK. However, it is worth noting that our sample size here is small (51 organisations). This warrants further investigation and, potentially, further support in this region.
- The Midlands (combining East Midlands and West Midlands) has the highest proportion of charities (41%) saying they are at the curious stage.
- London (12%, although this is 18% when looking at small organisations) has the lowest proportion of charities in England saying that they are in the earliest stages with digital.
- In the North of England (combining the North West, North East and Yorkshire and Humber), 20% of charities are at the earliest curious stage.
- 22% of charities in the South (excluding London, including the East of England, South East and South West).
- Wales (14%) and Scotland (12%) also have low proportions of charities at the curious stage. Interestingly, Scotland has the highest proportion of charities starting out (41%) and Wales has the highest proportion of charities advancing (51%). This may be a result of the rise in responses from Wales for the first time.
Wales
Our sample
- 43 (9%) of the responses are organisations based in Wales. We have a good representation of different size charities within this, including 28 small organisations (with an income up to £1 million) and 51% led by people with lived experience.
- This is the first year the survey has been completed by this many organisations in Wales, but it is still a small sample and both factors may be affecting some results.
Overall digital progress
- 58% say they are advancing or advanced with digital (compared to 48% of all responses).
- 79% see digital as a greater or much greater priority this year.
- 62% are delivering digital services. Amidst the cost of living crisis, 44% are responding by exploring how to work more effectively using digital.
Digital priorities
- The top ambition for improving digital skills is to get more useful insights from data (44%), this is mirrored by 41% saying that they are poor at using data to inform decision making and strategy. 58% plan to invest in their data infrastructure or systems.
- Half say they would like their board to understand resourcing for effective investment in digital tools and IT (50%) and rely less on one person as the digital expert (47%). They would also like their CEO to develop a clear vision for digital (44%).
Challenges
- The biggest challenge identified is needing to upskill staff and volunteers, closely followed by finding funds to invest in devices, software and infrastructure.
- Only 19% say the cost of living crisis is their biggest challenge (compared to 27% of all responses).
- The biggest skills gap for this group is keeping up to date with digital trends (e.g. Tik Tok or ChatGPT), with 66% saying they are poor at this.
- Other key areas of weakness include using digital tools for monitoring and evaluation, using SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and ads, with half saying they are poor at this (51% in both cases).
- Three quarters (74%) say their CRM is causing a significant challenge for their organisation (this compares to 54% of all responses).
Progressing with digital
- Asking peers directly for advice has helped most when looking to progress with digital this year (41%).
- This group is most likely to turn to online searching (47%) and expert support organisations (35%) when looking for trusted advice.
Scotland
Our sample
- 49 organisations (10% of our responses overall) are based in Scotland. Three quarters (77%) are small, with an income of up to £1 million. 59% are led by people with lived experience. 78% describe themselves as a charity, whilst 27% describe themselves as a social enterprise (respondents could select multiple options).
Overall digital progress
- 47% say they are advancing or advanced with digital (compared to 48% of all responses), with 82% saying digital is a greater or much greater priority this year.
- 57% are delivering digital services. Amidst the cost of living crisis, 42% are responding by exploring how to work more effectively using digital.
Digital priorities
- The top ambition for improving digital skills is to get more useful insights from data (69%), this is mirrored by 55% saying that they are poor at using data to inform decision making and strategy. Furthermore, over half (58%) say the key change they would make at board level is better use of data to inform decision making.
- Three quarters (72%) would like their CEO to develop a clear vision for digital.
Challenges
- The biggest challenge faced by over half (57%) is needing to upskill staff and volunteers. This is closely followed by 41% saying they are busy firefighting and lack capacity to prioritise digital.
- Only 20% say the cost of living crisis is their biggest challenge (compared to 27% of all responses). However, 53% do say the cost of living crisis has affected their capacity and indicate the impact on their digital progress. 42% are also using digital to explore how to work more effectively amidst the cost of living crisis.
- The biggest skills gap for this group is learning about users from websites (61% are poor at this) and keeping up to date with digital trends (e.g. Tik Tok or ChatGPT), with 56% saying they are poor at this.
- Other key skills gaps include using data to inform decision making and using digital tools for monitoring and evaluation, using SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) with half saying they are poor at this (55% in both cases).
- Nearly half (47%) say their CRM is causing a significant challenge for their organisation (this compares to 54% of all responses).
Progressing with digital
- Webinars (e.g. Digishift) have helped this group most when looking to progress with digital this year (40%).
- This group is most likely to turn to online searching (42%) and their current IT provider (40%) when looking for trusted advice.