Learning Forwards: How well equipped are charities to deal with an uncertain future?
Report from PWC and CIoF exploring how charities can 'unstick themselves from the now'. By embracing their radical foundations and making rapid change - powered by technology, data and an innovative mindset - charities can future-proof their supporter base and unlock new opportunities.
The pandemic showed how charities can adapt with pace when there is an urgency to do so, although we know that this came at a cost for many. This kind of agility in the face of a crisis is important. Switching from a reactive approach to one that builds a foundation of resilience for any future disruption is vital to creating a sustainable pipeline of supporters and the continuing provision of key charitable services.
However, despite the experiences of the pandemic, the report reveals that almost half of the charities we surveyed still feel underprepared to face these challenges.
- Just over half (51%) of respondents agree/strongly agree that their charity is well equipped to be agile and adapt
priorities and targets based on sudden changes in beneficiary needs. Many do not feel well equipped. - Only a third of respondents agreed that they have established approaches to innovation (30% agree/strongly agree)
- 47% say they don’t have the right level of investment to deliver objectives
- 43% don’t use data to retain positive relationships with supporters and identify potential for future growth in income streams
