Infrastructure Organisations

This year, we can provide specific insights relating to infrastructure and second tier organisations for the first time. We can see that they are slightly further ahead with digital in comparison to other groups, with a stronger focus on data and using AI tools.  

Our sample

• 59 (9%) of our responses are from infrastructure organisations, of which 66% are small and 34% are large (the remainder did not specify). This is similar to our main sample.
  
  
• 36% also provide frontline services to individuals.
  
  
• 78% are a registered charity or Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). 
  
  
• 24% describe themselves as a social enterprise or community business.
  
  
  

Digital progress and challenges

• Infrastructure organisations are slightly further ahead with digital.
   
• 43% are at an early stage (14% are curious and 29% are starting out).
  
  
• 57% are advancing or advanced, with a strategy in place for digital, compared to 48% in our main sample.
  
  
  

Barriers to digital progress

1. Lack of headspace and capacity (75%)
   
   
2. Squeezed organisational finances (65%) 
   
   
3. Finding funds to invest in infrastructure, systems and tools (58%).
   
   
   

Digital priorities

• 78% see digital as an organisational priority, with 24% saying it is a high priority.
  
  
• 28% say their top priority this year is to develop a digital strategy, whilst 29% say their top priority this year is to develop a data strategy.
  
  
• Top priorities are:
   
  • Build our online presence and social media engagement (56%)
  • Use data to improve services or operations (56%)
  • Grow our reach (51%).
    
    
    

Digital services

• 85% are delivering services built on digital tools, in a supportive or integral role.
  
  
• 60% are using digital tools behind the scenes to help run services.
  
  
• 12% support clients with digital inclusion, whilst 14% say this is a priority.
  
  
• 78% feel their services are inclusive to some extent (41%) or a great extent (36%).
  
  
• In the next year, 24% say their priority is to develop or scale digital services, whilst 22% plan to offer new digital services.
  
  
  

AI 

• 78% are currently using AI in their day-to-day work or operations, compared to 61% in our main sample. 40% say that using AI tools is a priority this year.
  
  
• 21% are using AI tools behind the scenes to deliver services.
  
  
• 89% agree or strongly agree that AI developments are relevant to them.
  
  
• 31% agree or strongly agree that they feel prepared to respond to AI opportunities and challenges, compared to 22% in our main sample.
  
  
  

Funding

• 29% accessed funding for some digital costs (e.g. devices or staff time), whilst 6% accessed funding for substantial digital costs (e.g. a digital role or new website).
  
  
• 15% did not include digital costs in their grant funding applications.
  
  
• The top barriers to accessing funding are:
  
  
  • Our typical funders do not cover digital costs (27%)
    
    
  • Our typical funders do not cover staff costs/time on digital/data (27%)
    
    
  • We need to prioritise paying the bills and other core costs (25%)
    
    
  • Our core costs will look too expensive if we include digital costs (25%).
    
    
• Top funding needs:
  
  
  • Capacity/headspace for organisational development (64%)
  • Revamp our website, content and/or brand (44%)
  • Training for staff and volunteers on digital or data (36%).