This report delves into the pressing issue of the digital skills gap within the Canadian nonprofit sector, offering a thorough analysis of the challenges faced by organizations in an increasingly digital world. Through research and collaborative efforts with key stakeholders, we present innovative, co-designed solutions aimed at enhancing digital capabilities and fostering resilience across the sector. By addressing critical areas such as data management, digital leadership, and cybersecurity, this study provides actionable insights and strategies to empower nonprofits across diverse sizes, structures and compositions. Our findings not only highlight the current state of digital readiness but also chart a clear path forward, ensuring that Canadian nonprofits can leverage technology effectively to amplify their impact and navigate the complexities of the digital age with confidence.
Key Highlights Include:
- Co-Designed Solutions: Through collaboration with eight nonprofit organizations, we have developed four prototype options tailored to address specific digital skills gaps in the sector. These prototypes offer implementable strategies for enhancing digital competencies across various organizational roles and functions.
- Digital Skills Plus (DS+) Framework: The report introduces a novel framework that articulates essential digital skills applicable to nonprofits of all sizes, structures and compositions. The DS+ Framework serves as a comprehensive guide for organizations to assess and develop their digital capabilities systematically.
- Funding and Training Landscape Analysis: In-depth analysis of current funding opportunities and training resources available to Canadian nonprofits.
- Priority Skills Gaps Identification: The study has pinpointed critical areas for improvement in the nonprofit sector's digital capabilities. These include data privacy and security, digital leadership, and advanced data management skills.
- Actionable Prototype Options: The report presents four detailed prototype options, each addressing a specific challenge:
- Identifying digital skill needs across organizational roles
- Improving data management practices and processes
- Empowering highly skilled staff to coach and mentor colleagues
- Increasing organizational data privacy and security IQ- - Implementation Roadmap: Clear next steps for selecting and piloting the most promising prototype are outlined, providing a practical path forward for addressing the digital skills gap in the nonprofit sector.