The $400 million Community Services Recovery Fund could be a game-changer for the social sector’s digital transformation — here’s how

Authors Katie Gibson & Jesse Bourns
To build a resilient community services sector, the federal government should invest heavily and strategically in non-profit digital transformation, these experts say

Why It Matters

A majority of Canada’s charities don’t have the digital skills and tools they need to adapt to an increasingly online world. And they don’t have the funding to get up to speed, either. The $400 million Community Services Recovery Fund could be an answer — if it’s deployed strategically.

The pandemic highlighted – but didn’t create –  the need for digital transformation in the non-profit sector. Forward-thinking non-profit leaders have long understood that smart adoption of digital technologies can improve service delivery and outcomes. But the sector — and its funders — have under-invested in technology. 

In a CanadaHelps Digital Skills Survey released Wednesday morning, a majority of the approximately 1,400 charities surveyed said their digital skills were “fair,” “poor,” or they were “not aware” of the digital tools the survey presented. More than half said they don’t have enough funding to boost their digital capacity. 

Meanwhile, Canada’s Budget 2021 commits $400 million in 2021-22 for a temporary Community Service

 

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