Are We There Yet? Report - Based on Survey of Australian Nonprofits' Use of Technology (2008)

This is a copy of the report of the Australian Nonprofits' Technology Use in 2008, which was based on a survey conducted by Connecting Up in coordination with John Sheridan via Digital Business Insights (DBI).

In 2006, we headed a consortium funded by the then Commonwealth Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts – DCITA – to assess the possibilities for establishing a National Nonprofit ICT Coalition (NNIC). As part of that project, we conducted a national survey of over 900 Australian not-for-profits to assess their current level of information and communications technology (ICT) capacity. The basis of that survey was a technology capacity benchmarking model developed over several years and across many industries by John Sheridan and his Brisbane-based company Digital Business Insights (DBI).

As part of our ongoing commitment to developing the technology capacity of the not-for-profit sector, in September 2008 we commissioned DBI to repeat the 2006 survey during October- November 2008, using the same questions so we could measure change over the 2 years. This time around DBI added some additional questions to measure how ‘green’ the sector is becoming i.e. what environmental sustainability measures were they using in their workplaces. As an additional practical resource, a number of case studies have been included to provide insight into how not-for-profits are facing their technology challenges. Again we received over 900 responses and we would like to take this opportunity to thank organisations for the contribution of their valuable time and thoughtful input. The complete survey report from DBI is attached.

While the survey information is useful in its own right, its real practical application comes in providing pathways forward for not-for-profits. So, again in association with DBI, we have set up an ongoing online technology benchmarking tool called Are We There Yet? Not-for-profits can use this service to:

1. Measure where they are at technologically in comparison to other organisations of similar categories and size

2. See not-for-profit organisation case studies relating to their challenges

3. Get information about their next steps, including a Directory of the products and services most used in their sector, as well as technology service providers located in their area.

Finally, based on the survey results and the daily experience of managing our other programs, we make recommendations for the sector itself, governments and business about what they can do to help build the capacity of a sector that comprises around 4% of Australia’s GDP, employs an estimated 600,000 Australians and has an income of around $35billion p.a.

Excerpted from the report, background by Doug Jacquier

Download the document......

Also see: NNIC Report 2006