A new Digital Transformation Hub to help Australian not-for-profits build digital capability and resilience for a post COVID-19 world, is now live. The Infoxchange Group is leading a cross-sector partnership to deliver the Hub, which was established with seed funding from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Gandel Philanthropy.

The Infoxchange Group’s Digital Technology in the Not-for-Profit Sector 2020 report highlights that a growing number of not-for-profits need to invest in digital technology, but many don’t have the time, capability or budget to move as fast or effectively as they would like. More than half of not-for-profits surveyed were less than satisfied with the way they use technology, and 49% said staff were lacking confidence. 

Infoxchange Group CEO, David Spriggs, said these issues have now been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with organisations moving to deliver more services online and supporting staff and volunteers to work more effectively remotely. 

“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the sector and more and more not-for-profits are contacting us to get help with improving their digital capability. The Digital Transformation Hub will support them to have efficient, reliable technology in place to better support communities in need, staff and volunteers,” said Spriggs.  

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, CEO, Dr Catherine Brown OAM, said the Digital Transformation Hub will build the capability of the not-for-profit sector as it responds and recovers from COVID-19, especially in the face of increasing demand for services and the need to make major steps in the transition to a zero-carbon economy in the next ten years. 

“Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation is pleased to be working with Gandel Philanthropy to support Infoxchange Group’s new Digital Transformation Hub. We see the Hub as providing a strong platform from which not-for-profit leaders and consumers can use digital tools to innovate and transform service or program delivery, develop refreshed financial models, strengthen collaborations across sectors, and ultimately become future ready for whatever challenges lie ahead,” said Brown. 

“Congratulations to the Infoxchange Group for their vision and support of our sector,” she said.  

Gandel Philanthropy CEO, Vedran Drakulić OAM, said the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rapid shift to the online delivery of education, support services and information across many sectors, and that this trend is here to stay. 

“The Digital Transformation Hub will provide an opportunity for not-for-profits to either further strengthen, or even develop from scratch, their technological capability, their online presence and their digital reach. The Hub has the real potential to minimise future digital inequality and their digital reach. The Hub as the real potential to minimise future digital inequality in the community and strengthen the technical capability and resilience of community organisations,” he said.  

Delivery of the Digital Transformation Hub is being supported by a range of partners contributing funding, resources and expertise. These organisations include: Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Gandel Philanthropy, Wheelton Philanthropy, NSW Government through the Social Sector Transformation Fund, Victorian Government, PwC Australia, Google, Microsoft, Griffith University, Swinburne University, Beaker & Flint, Communiteer, Isgood.AI, HumanIT, Tyne Solutions, CSnet, PN Digital, Comunet, Engage4Change, Nova Smart Solutions, Digital Purpose, Strategic Grants and Insight 38. 

“We are thrilled to share our expertise with the Digital Transformation Hub to help not-for-profits across Australia make the most of digital technologies and undergo their own transformation journeys,” said Jane Edwards, Director of Social Impact, PwC Australia. 

The CEO of the largest provider of family violence response and housing and homelessness services in the Southern Melbourne area, Liz Thomas said one of advantages of the Digital Transformation Hub is about identifying what is possible. 

“A lot of organisations in our sector don’t know what we don’t know when it comes to digital capability. We can use the Hub as a source of information to discover the possibilities that are available to us, and I think that is important,” said Thomas.

Digital Transformation Hub resources are created by experts to help organisations accelerate their digital transformation journeys, whether they are getting started or looking to extend and build on capabilities they already have. 

Resources include a digital capability quiz to assess strengths, with tailored recommendations for opportunities to improve and access to donated and discounted hardware and software for the not-for-profit sector from Google, Microsoft, Adobe, Amazon, Zoom, MYOB, NetSuite and sector-specific providers. 

The hub also features an “expert bar” where organisations can book one-on-one consultations with experts on subjects like grant applications, digital marketing, data security and much more, training for technology leaders, staff and volunteers and engaging guides and how-to content for the sector on key areas of interest including tech foundations, IT management, information systems, digital marketing or cyber security.