Tech for Good Summit 2023 - Morning keynote

At our third Tech for Good Summit on 20th April we were delighted to welcome Philanthropy expert, Rhodri Davies to deliver our morning keynote presentation. In a wide-ranging talk, Rhodri set the context of the many challenges facing the charity sector post pandemic. In many ways the sector is facing a perfect storm of reduced financial reserves, shrinking income, higher wage bills and energy costs, all happening at the same time as a big increase in demand for the services and help it provides. The question for us then, is what impact will technology have on this particular set of circumstances?

Looking first at the challenges, Rhodri noted that tech is such a huge shaping force in society today and expressed concern that charities may be left behind as they grapple with managing the problems he’d outlined. Technology is a leadership responsibility, he said, not a departmental one and there is a danger that by not keeping informed, tech becomes something that happens to an organisation rather than something they can shape or control. The chances are, he noted, that even if you don’t think that tech impacts you as a charity, it will be impacting your service users and if you don’t keep up there’s the potential you become irrelevant to them.

Whilst there are many examples of inspiring stories about the direct use of technology to address social or environmental issues, he noted that perhaps the greater impact for the sector is using technology to improve the less glamorous ‘back office’ operations and sectoral infrastructure support. There are many opportunities to automate processes, GPT automation in knowledge-based functions and even consider the potential of tech to open up new donor pools, e.g. the gaming community.

There’s still a big gap between awareness of the importance of digital technologies and the ability to respond accordingly, particularly with small organisations that are stretched. For leadership and trustees, it is important that tech is seen as a ‘strategic variable’ that cuts across all parts of the organisation and is not secondary to its core function. Funders have a role to play here, too, he said.

The relationship between the third and tech sectors is key and must be researched and well maintained. The benefits to charities are perhaps obvious at a high level, but a good tech strategy can help increase an organisation’s resilience and working in partnership with tech organisations will, of course, allow charities to develop a better understanding of its potential.

For the tech sector, the benefits are perhaps less well understood, but they are nevertheless potentially just as impactful. They include a valuable sense of purpose for employees, an opportunity to learn more about your own business by applying your skills and services in different contexts and demonstrating practical action aligned with CSR and ESG objectives. All of these benefits provide powerful stories that can be shared with all of the business’ stakeholders.

In closing, Rhodri said that finding ways to bring the sectors together has huge potential and organisations like the Scottish Tech Army are crucial in ensuring links can be forged and keeping the conversation going. Only if the two sectors come together can they have maximum impact.

The full recording of Rhodri’s presentation is available here.