12/05/2011 – Lack of cash and confidence leave charities reluctant to try new technology
Eight out of ten charity workers say technology has a role to play in building the Big Society - but funding cuts mean only one in three workers has time to try new tools, according to a survey launched today (May 12). Lasa and Civic Regeneration, in partnership with RegenerateIT, surveyed nearly 160 people about how charities and not-for-profit organisations in the UK use cloud technology.
The survey of 157 people found that:
- 80% of charity workers believe technology has a role to play in delivering the Big Society
- With the funding cuts affecting the voluntary sector, only 29% believe that charities have the confidence and the time to try new technology solutions such as the cloud
- 45% of those surveyed have considered using cloud technology in the next financial year
Lasa's Chief Executive Terry Stokes said:
When charities make the most of technology, it means better services for the people they support. Although many cloud applications are low cost, funding cuts mean charity workers don't feel they have time to try new things. Lasa helps charities make the most of technology by providing practical advice and support.
Despite the pressures of the recession, charities need to make the most of the resources they have to provide the best services to their clients. That's why Lasa is holding a summit on 7 June when experts will be looking at how technology can help charities manage their relationships."
Robin Knowles, Managing Director of Regenerateit, said:
There is an irony that spending cuts are being delivered across all departments in charities, making it even harder for ICT to deliver the operational and service efficiencies it otherwise could. The sector needs to make both its leaders digital and its digital community into leaders. The days of Boards delegating anything with Digital in the title downwards are fast coming to an end.
Download a summary of the survey results.