Now in its third year, Smartdesc’s annual Charity Technology Leaders Report offers insights into the evolving technological landscape for non-profit organisations. Based on a survey of charity technology leaders, this year’s report reveals a sector that’s increasingly strategic, cyber-aware, and exploring the potential of AI.
This blog gives a breakdown of the key trends emerging from the 2025 report in comparison to last year’s results.
Smartdesc also ran a webinar with Charity IT Leaders to discuss the report findings in more detail, which you can catch up on demand:
Key themes and trends
Infrastructure
Over half of the surveyed charities feel they have delivered their cloud journey. This marks a crucial shift; instead of focusing on migration, the emphasis is now firmly on integration, data utilisation, and the emerging potential of AI. This suggests a greater maturity in cloud adoption, allowing organisations to leverage these platforms for more strategic initiatives.
Strategy
The report highlights an encouraging increase in board-level representation of IT. This signifies a growing recognition that technology is not just an operational necessity but a strategic business enabler. With IT having a stronger voice at the highest levels, we can expect more strategic investment and integration of technology into overall organisational goals.
Cybersecurity
This remains a top priority, with an increase in confidence among organisations in handling cyber threats. Cybersecurity continues to be a top priority for charities. While still a critical concern, the good news is that there’s an increase in confidence among organisations in their ability to handle cyber threats. However, the report also notes that 18% still feel unconfident, underscoring the ongoing need for robust cybersecurity strategies and continuous vigilance.
Resourcing
The report shows a clear shift towards hybrid IT structures, blending in-house and outsourced teams. There’s a notable reduction in fully in-house IT setups. This trend is likely driven by the need for access to a broader range of specialised skills and resources, allowing charities to adapt more flexibly to technological demands.
AI
The report reveals that 42% of organisations are either piloting or actively implementing AI solutions. While AI might be lower on the immediate list of “focus areas for delivery and improvement” compared to cybersecurity, its presence in early adoption stages signifies a clear recognition of its potential to automate processes and drive efficiencies within the sector. One-third of organisations have already reached the pilot stage, indicating a strong appetite for experimentation and innovation. It is important to explore AI’s potential beyond native features, such as automating business processes, which can lead to significant efficiency gains and cost savings.
Strategic priorities
The report also sheds light on the top strategic priorities for charities in the year ahead: operational improvements, better reporting, and business enablement. This represents a significant shift away from reactive IT functions like server troubleshooting and towards more proactive, strategic roles that empower the wider organisation. The emphasis on better reporting, in particular, highlights the increasing need for data-driven decision-making.
Evolving IT service management and team structures
The report also notes a doubling in the number of organisations focusing on IT service management, indicating an evolution towards better customer service and business process improvement within IT departments. Furthermore, IT department structures are moving significantly away from fully in-house setups towards hybrid or fully outsourced models, driven by the need for diverse skills and resources.
Get in touch
If you would like to discuss any of the topics covered in our report in more depth, or how we can help you improve IT at your organisation – including IT support, cyber security, outsourcing, M365, Azure, or anything else, please get in touch.