The recent Charity Digital Skills Report 2024 provides valuable insights into digital adoption, skills, attitudes, funding, and support needs across the charity sector.
This blog explores the report’s key findings, with a particular focus on London-specific trends, challenges, and opportunities for charities in the capital to enhance their digital capabilities and drive greater impact.
Key London-specific insights
Digital maturity
Among small charities in London, 52% are at an early stage of digital maturity, which is lower than the overall average of 64% for small charities across the UK.
This indicates that while there is some progress, many small London-based charities are still in the early stages of digital adoption, suggesting that there is a need for more targeted support and resources.
The reasons for this lower digital maturity are quite mysterious. Perhaps charities in London are too overstretched to progress in the digital world, and funding issues could also be a factor.
Key UK-wide findings
Digital adoption and priorities
While 80% of charities across the UK view digital as an organisational priority, overall digital progress remains static. Many charities are strategically approaching digital transformation, yet systemic issues such as financial constraints and lack of capacity prevent progress.
AI engagement
Most large charities (78%) are using AI in their daily operations compared to 53% of small charities. Despite this, 62% of charities want to develop an understanding of AI and its uses, but only 25% feel prepared to respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by AI.
Skills gaps
90% of charities in the UK rate themselves as fair or excellent in basic digital skills, which is great to see. However, many charities continue to struggle with other digital skills. Approximately 56% of charities are not effectively engaging with emerging tech trends, and 31% are poor or not engaging with collecting, managing, and using data, highlighting a critical need for skill development.
Funding challenges
Access to funding for digital initiatives remains a major barrier, with 72% of charities citing squeezed finances as a significant challenge. Many charities report that typical funders do not cover digital costs, which limits their ability to invest in necessary infrastructure and training.
Future directions
As charities across London and the UK work to enhance their digital capabilities, the Charity Digital Skills Report highlights key actions needed to drive progress.
Investing in data capabilities is needed to help charities improve skills, data collection and management, and develop the infrastructure needed to make data-driven decisions.
Additionally, three-quarters of charities report needing funding to create the time and capacity for organisational development and digital strategy—an increasingly urgent need given the cost-of-living crisis, where financial constraints are the biggest obstacle to advancing digital initiatives.
Developing strategies to upskill staff in emerging technologies, such as AI, will also be critical in enabling charities to navigate and thrive in a changing digital landscape. By prioritising collaboration among funders, organisations, and policymakers, the sector can create a stronger, more digitally empowered future.
Thank you for reading, you can find the full Charity Digital Skills Report 2024 by clicking the button below.
