Australia’s first digital toolbox for the social sector

A Melbourne social enterprise is making sure that NFPs are just as digitally savvy as the corporate world.

The Telstra Foundation and Fitzroy Academy is launching Australia’s first online learning toolbox – dedicated to helping NFPs and social enterprises harness the power of digital technology.

“Great digital shouldn’t be an expensive burden, and when your whole team has basic tech skills, there’s less chance of your organisation’s entire digital know-how walking out the door when someone moves on,” said Fitzroy Academy founder and CEO, Will Dayble.

Telstra Foundation, General Manager, Jackie Coates, said that digital innovation and technology presented NFPs with big opportunities to deliver products, services and programs in new ways.

“At Telstra – we see NFPs as the heroes of our community,” Coates said.

“We also believe in the power of digital innovation and we’ve partnered with this project because we want this sector to have the same opportunities as others to think bigger, bolder and in a different way.

“It doesn’t matter what size a NFP is – this new platform provides cutting­ edge, innovative, and most importantly practical training, to maximise the opportunities of the digital world. I see a genuine need and a big appetite to skill ­up in this area, and the good news is, there’s now the truly unique Fitzroy Academy to start the journey.”

Dayble said, “Taking control and making digital work for you is a complete game­ changer.”

“You can scale up impact, explore new models of funding, streamline budgets, back up grant applications with solid plans and reporting, and get business rhythms down to a fine art. Digital skills allow you to take the important basics in-house, and take the guesswork and stress out of working with a digital agency,” he said.

Rosie Thomas, CEO of youth leadership and anti­-bullying organisation PROJECT ROCKIT said, “That’s the thing with digital – it’s an experiential skill, and just figuring out where to start is often the hardest bit.”