Toronto, Sept. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CanadaHelps, the country's largest platform for donating and fundraising online, has published the results from a new survey highlighting how Canadian charities are embracing digital transformation. The survey, which was conducted by Nanos on behalf of CanadaHelps, provides an overview of the digital health of Canada’s charities at a time when inflation and the affordability crisis have resulted in an estimated 26% of Canadians expecting to turn to charities for essential services. Key findings from the survey reveal that more than half of charities (60%) agree or somewhat agree that they will soon find it harder to do what they do without better leveraging digital tools and technologies.
“Charities know that adopting digital tools, processes, and mindsets are critical for delivering greater impact, but most charities, particularly the smallest, still don’t have the skills, staff and financial resources to take full advantage of the opportunities digital can provide,” says Duke Chang, President and CEO of CanadaHelps. “It’s essential for funders, businesses, and generous Canadians to accept and understand how important it is for charities to invest in themselves, which includes digital investment, to build and sustain programs long term.”
Key Survey Findings
- Close to half (46%) of charities report that using digital tools to their fullest capacity is not a high priority for their organization compared to other activities.
- Insufficient funding is the reason why most charities (62%) have not invested in digital tools and technologies.
- Nearly half (48%) of charities report that they don’t have the skills or knowledge to use digital tools to their fullest capacity.
“Given the demands of their day-to-day operations, digital adoption is repeatedly put on hold by charities. Although they understand the important role of digital tools in advancing their mission, for many, the barriers to adopting digital transformation seem insurmountable,” says Chang. “We believe that for charities to stay relevant and to achieve the benefits that digital transformation can deliver to advance their mission and impact, they need to focus on greater digital investment and receive greater support from external sources.”
CanadaHelps and Mastercard Changeworks™ Advance Efforts to Support Small Charities Through Digital Transformation
The release of new survey findings coincides with the launch of a self-serve digital transformation platform built by CanadaHelps, and program execution support provided by Mastercard Changeworks™, with funding from the Mastercard Impact Fund. Following a successful pilot, the Charity Growth Academy is now widely available to Canadian charities in open beta to help charities kick-start their digital transformation journey by completing a comprehensive online assessment in order to receive a free, customized action plan. Then, with the support provided by a rich library of training resources available on the site, they will move at their own pace through their action plan, step-by-step to embark on their digital transformation journey.
“The Charity Growth Academy is perfectly aligned with our mission at Mastercard Changeworks™ to support Canadian nonprofits — and the individuals and communities they serve — by helping them improve their technology and data capabilities,” says Jennifer M. Sloan, Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Stakeholder Engagement, Mastercard in Canada. “The pilot program solidifies the importance of nonprofits approaching and adopting digital transformation strategically while providing skilled support and resources. Mastercard Changeworks™ is proud to continue our partnership with CanadaHelps in the next phase of the program.”
CanadaHelps and The Charity Hub Partner to Advance Sector Education with Small Charities Master Class
Small Charities Week takes place in Canada this week to celebrate the country’s smallest charities and the big impact they are making. In support of this, CanadaHelps is rolling out a series of online classes led by industry experts to help charities advance their mission, including their digital skills. With the support of The Charity Hub, a liquidator for good, the Small Charities Master Class series provides small charity professionals and volunteers with free access to webinars each day this week to build practical skills and strategies to help their organizations thrive.
“We are pleased to partner with CanadaHelps to provide this free and accessible education series for Canadian charities to advance their knowledge on a wide range of topics such as fundraising, partnerships, digital transformation, and more,” says Dave Rolleston, founder and CEO of The Charity Hub. “Both The Charity Hub and CanadaHelps understand the unique challenges charities face and are deeply committed to providing opportunities like Small Charities Master Class to help the sector thrive.”
The topics covered in the Small Charities Master Class include fundraising, partnerships, digital transformation, and more. With more than 3,500 professionals registered to take part, the complimentary online sessions run throughout Small Charity Week, September 18th – 22nd, 2023. For more information, visit the CanadaHelps For Charities website.
About the Study
Nanos conducted an online survey of 1,470 Canadian charities between August 21st and 28th, 2023 from a list provided by CanadaHelps. No margin of error applies to this research.
About CanadaHelps
CanadaHelps is a charity advancing philanthropy through technology. For Canadians, it powers CanadaHelps.org, a safe and trusted destination for discovering and supporting any charity in Canada, along with UniteforChange.com, where Canadians can learn about causes and easily support the collective work of charities addressing a cause they care about. CanadaHelps also develops affordable fundraising technology used by more than 26,000 charities and free training and education so that, regardless of size, all charities have the capacity to increase their impact and succeed in the digital age. Since 2000, over 4.1 million Canadians have given more than $2.7 billion through CanadaHelps. Connect with CanadaHelps on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.
About The Charity Hub
The Charity Hub (TCH) provides a service that unites corporations and charities by turning excess inventory into impact. TCH is a liquidator for good that helps global manufacturers, distributors, retailers, warehouses, and insurers turn their obsolete, refurbished, and customer-returned inventory into cash donations for charity through responsible and strategic product liquidation. TCH coordinates all inventory logistics, sells goods to its global buyer network, and then donates 50% of its net profits to the suppliers’ chosen cause. TCH’s unique triple impact effect − liquidate, sustain, and donate − helps companies elevate their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) profiles. To learn more about turning excess into impact, visit The Charity Hub or connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
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Note to Media: A media kit including the source survey data and graphics are available for download here.
