Digital Transformation Hub to help NFPs thrive amid COVID-19 disruptions
19 February 2021 at 6:40 pm
The hub will be funded by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Gandel Philanthropy
With the COVID-19 pandemic exposing major technology challenges for many not for profits, a new technology hub is being developed to help build the digital capability of the sector.
Last year’s Digital Technology in the Not-for-Profit Sector survey report revealed that despite half of all charity staff not feeling confident when using new technology, 40 per cent of organisations were not offering employees any training to improve their digital skills.
This Infoxchange Group report also found that only 30 per cent of NFPs had suitable technology to help staff adapt to working from home during the pandemic.
In an effort to address the sector’s technological shortcomings, Infoxchange Group is building a new Digital Transformation Hub with funding from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Gandel Philanthropy.
This hub will include capacity building programs, access to technology solutions, online resources and tailored advice to support organisations.
Infoxchange CEO David Spriggs said the hub would be an important resource especially given the workplace disruptions caused by COVID-19.
“[COVID-19 has] emphasised how important it is for not for profits to have efficient, reliable technology in place to keep supporting communities and making the biggest impact possible,” Spriggs said.
“The Digital Transformation Hub will address these challenges in a one stop shop that will empower not for profits to deliver services more effectively, improve staff productivity and better serve communities in need.”
Cerebral Palsy Support Network has recently invested in improving its digital capabilities and CEO Scott Sheppard said he understood how difficult this could be for charities.
He said this new hub would be of great use for the sector.
“Moving to the cloud has transformed our ability to work remotely and share information securely, allowing us to communicate to and provide better support for individuals and families living with cerebral palsy,’’ Sheppard said.
“The new Digital Transformation Hub will empower and assist not for profits across Australia to undertake their own digital journey and provide even better support for their clients.’’
Gandel Philanthropy CEO Vedran Drakulić OAM said COVID-19 had uncovered digital inequality in the sector faced by many smaller NFPs.
He said the hub would help NFPs be better prepared for future crises and ensure they maintain efficient service delivery throughout.
“The Infoxchange Group is arguably best placed to provide this sort of digital capacity building and organisational development, and we very much look forward to seeing first-hand the positive impact this initiative will have in the sector,” Drakulić said.
The hub is expected to launch sometime this year.
