Nonprofit Sector Trends

vector of a tree with tall thin trunk and 5 branches (3 on the left side and two on the right side) filled in with gradient colour (bright blue to purple). On the left side of the tree there are red fruits with blue tops

This report from Anthro{Nation}
provides a snapshot of the nonprofit
sector in 2022 and the potential for
the Catalyst network to support the
sector going forward.

Key Messages

There remains a divide between nonprofits that approach digital strategically and those at earlier stages in their journey.

vector image of blue megaphone
a vector of two purple viruses

Fundraising has been
increasingly challenging since late 2021, with grants now being given on a much smaller scale than during Covid.

Investment in digital capacity-building and infrastructure for nonprofits varies across regions,
with Wales and Northern Ireland being the most historically under-served.

a vector of UK continent in dark blue colour with Northern Ireland and Wales marked as pink. There is a man in a wheelchair next to it.  He is holding watering can and watering UK island.
vector of dark blue lamp with a white clog inside

"Tech solutionism" is
not the answer and innovation must be intersectional, centring
the most marginalised.

vector of pink mouse with a wire

Many nonprofits still struggle with basic digital skills.

vector of a woman in a long blue skirt holding red fruits with blue triangular tops  and a man on a purple tree collecting these fruits and passing them to the woman
purple blue clipart of a hand holding a heart above it

Civil society needs to design from the margins, challenge institutional power, and focus on core social justice issues such as racism and structural inequality.

This report from Anthro{Nation}
provides a snapshot of the nonprofit sector in 2022 and the potential for the Catalyst network to support the sector going forward.

Key Messages

vector image of blue megaphone

There remains a divide between nonprofits that approach digital strategically and those at earlier stages in their journey.

vector image of blue megaphone
a vector of two purple viruses

There remains a divide between nonprofits that approach digital
strategically and those at earlier stages in their journey.

Investment in digital capacity-building and infrastructure for nonprofits varies across regions,
with Wales and Northern Ireland being the most historically under-served.

a vector of UK continent in dark blue colour with Northern Ireland and Wales marked as pink. There is a man in a wheelchair next to it.  He is holding watering can and watering UK island.
vector of a tree with tall thin trunk and 5 branches (3 on the left side and two on the right side) filled in with gradient colour (bright blue to purple). On the left side of the tree there are red fruits with blue tops
vector of dark blue lamp with a white clog inside

"Tech solutionism" is
not the answer and innovation must be intersectional, centring
the most marginalised.

vector of pink mouse with a wire

Many nonprofits still struggle with basic digital skills.

purple blue clipart of a hand holding a heart above it

Civil society needs to design from the margins, challenge institutional power, and focus on core social justice issues such as racism and structural inequality.

vector of a woman in a long blue skirt holding red fruits with blue triangular tops  and a man on a purple tree collecting these fruits and passing them to the womana triangle in gradient starting from blue and finishing with purple. It has blue grid cells at the bottom. It is used at the bottom of the first section.
a triangle in gradient starting from blue and finishing with purple. It has blue grid cells at the bottom. It is used at the bottom of the first section.

Interesting Statistics

a white card with 3 white cells on the left side and two white cells on each side on the right side
71% increased in demand
for services, but many have had to cut-back on staff, operating hours or support due to rising costs.
a blue outlined with black outline watering can. It is tilted and pouring water over a grid with transparent white border cells
82% now see
digital as a priority.
Only 21% give their users devices, data, or support to get online or access services compared to 45% a year ago.
vector of two people standing on the ladder. The woman is standing near the top of the ladder and she is holding a red fruit with a blue top in her right arm. The man has one foot on the ladder and the other on the ground, he also holding a red fruit with a blue top  in his right arm.
41% of organisations are
unclear on whether ongoing
digital costs
, such as software
and licences, could be included in funding applications.

37% were unable to include any core digital costs in their applications.
A vector of a blue tree with short thick trunk and a large crown. Towards the bottom of the tree's crown there is a pair of blue scissors with a white grid background. Above it there is a small red fruit . On the right side there is a white grid of cells with a red fruit with blue top at the bottom of it.
vector of a  blue shovel with dark blue handle. It is inside dark blue ground with white grid background
3 carrots growing from a ground. They are red with blue/green tops

Interesting Statistics

a white card with 3 white cells on the left side and two white cells on each side on the right side
71% increased in demand
for services, but many have had to cut-back on staff, operating hours or support due to rising costs.
71% increased in demand
for services, but many have had to cut-back on staff, operating hours or support due to rising costs.
a blue outlined with black outline watering can. It is tilted and pouring water over a grid with transparent white border cells
82% now see
digital as a priority.
Only 21% give their users devices, data, or support to get online or access services compared to 45% a year ago.
41% of organisations are
unclear on whether ongoing
digital costs
, such as software
and licences, could be included in funding applications.

37% were unable to include any core digital costs in their applications.
41% of organisations are
unclear on whether ongoing
digital costs
, such as software
and licences, could be included in funding applications.

37% were unable to include any core digital costs in their applications.
A vector of a blue tree with short thick trunk and a large crown. Towards the bottom of the tree's crown there is a pair of blue scissors with a white grid background. Above it there is a small red fruit . On the right side there is a white grid of cells with a red fruit with blue top at the bottom of it.A vector of a blue tree with short thick trunk and a large crown. Towards the bottom of the tree's crown there is a pair of blue scissors with a white grid background. Above it there is a small red fruit . On the right side there is a white grid of cells with a red fruit with blue top at the bottom of it.vector of two people standing on the ladder. The woman is standing near the top of the ladder and she is holding a red fruit with a blue top in her right arm. The man has one foot on the ladder and the other on the ground, he also holding a red fruit with a blue top  in his right arm.
vector of a  blue shovel with dark blue handle. It is inside dark blue ground with white grid background
3 carrots growing from a ground. They are red with blue/green tops

Catalyst potential priorities

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Promoting open working.

vector of a square icon. It has pink background, thick dark navy blue outline with a shovel  icon outlined in a navy blue colour

Being a space for sharing best practices and insights that shape strategy and resourcing.

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Leverage existing partners, resources, and services to achieve the above.

vector of a square icon. It has pink background, thick dark navy blue outline with a heart outlined in a navy blue colour

Encouraging digital inclusivity and redressing the balance of power with communities.

vector of a square icon. It has light blue background, thick dark navy blue outline with building blocks icon outlined in a navy blue colour

Define audiences based on the stage of their digital journey, so that nonprofits can better navigate the support on offer and easily find the right help.

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