Tech Stats Every Nonprofit Organisation Needs to Know in 2026
What new research findings tell us – and how your team can take action.
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For Australia’s nonprofit sector, 2026 is shaping up to be a decisive year for digital systems in nonprofits.
As service demand grows and funding stays tight, leaders face a choice. Stick with what’s barely working or invest in tech that supports growing caseloads and workload, without making admin harder.
The Digital Technology in the Not-for-Profit Sector Report published by Infoxchange, highlights significant gaps in cyber security, data quality, workforce capability, and the sector’s gaps in budget, skills, and systems that prevent adoption of new tech.
At AlphaSys, we work with for-purpose orgs to fix broken systems, upgrade old platforms, and train teams properly. We help build systems that are easy to run, even as your needs shift. Technology should not become a barrier. It must serve and enable the mission.
As every for-purpose leader knows, there’s real potential to deliver stronger outcomes at scale, as we’ll explore in the sections below. These insights from the Infoxchange report reflect where many nonprofits are today – and what’s holding them back.
1. Cyber security vulnerabilities persist
🔐 60% of nonprofits still do not enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated. Yet many are still vulnerable to basic breaches, with MFA underutilised by 60%.
Legacy systems often lack basic modern cyber security features. Work is often done in silos which lack rigorous credential checks, clear permission structures, or shared accounts that leave trails for record keeping.
Why it matters:
A breach doesn’t just put donor and client data at risk. It can damage your organisation’s reputation and divert limited resources away from service delivery.
What to do:
Choose systems that are secure by design. At AlphaSys, we work with platforms that have built-in protections like multi-factor authentication, role-based access controls, and clear audit trails. When security is built in from the start, it’s easier to manage. Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud is one example.
2. Budget constraints remain the biggest barrier to transformation
💸 61% of groups say budget constraints are their #1 challenge
Stagnation is most often attributed to budget in nearly all sectors, and in a paradox, is often solved by the same technology that reduces administrative workload, automates reporting, or shrinks expenditure by automating a myriad of processes.
Why it matters:
Delaying digital upgrades often leads to bigger costs later. Outdated systems don’t connect, get expensive to patch, and can’t keep up with needs. Rebuilding from scratch then becomes unavoidable and costly.
What to do:
Look at the whole system, not just one broken part. Instead of one-off fixes, design systems that stay useful, stable, and cost-effective over time. Build for long-term value, not quick wins.
3. Data quality is limiting impact and decision-making
📉 Only 25% of organisations report their data is adequate for reporting and analytics.
Many find it challenging to progress beyond basic data collection. Dominated by siloed systems, piecemeal manual workflows, and rampant excel spreadsheet or legacy case management systems usage.
The result? Limited visibility and slower reporting. Reporting takes tedious time to compile and becomes increasingly untrustworthy, and strategy is designed more on gut feel instead of reliable data.
Why it matters:
If you can’t measure your impact, how can you improve it? How can you share your story with funders? How can you better support your clients?
What to do:
To improve data quality, nonprofits must invest in integrated systems that centralise data, automate reporting, and surface insights. With the Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud and a smart implementation approach, we enable clients with systems that use data to guide decisions and show results.
4. Workforce capability is lagging behind tech
👥 Only 23% say staff are confident with the digital tools available to them for everyday tasks.
Digital transformation doesn’t end with go-live. The launch of a system is just one step in a longer rollout. Systems are often underutilised or misused when staff are not properly trained, supported, or bought into the system.
The ability to adapt to internal changes and build capability has become increasingly important due to role changes, turnover, and tech fatigue.
Why it matters:
Without capable users, even the best systems fall short. When staff aren’t confident, you lose time, miss insights, and risk burnout.
What to do:
We train staff in ways that stick. Co-designed tools work because people use them. Processes are co-designed with end users which enable leadership teams to drive adoption, so change sticks across your team, not just your tech.
5. AI is changing work – but practical use in nonprofits is still low
🤖 Fewer than 20% use AI tools regularly.
Many sectors now use ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini in their daily workflows, but for most nonprofits, these tools tend to be more theoretical than practical.
Slow adoption can be attributed to low awareness, technical uncertainty, and ethical concerns like data privacy, bias, and accountability.
Why it matters:
AI is not simply about streamlining processes. The primary focus is to eliminate tedious tasks so people spend less time on admin and more time engaging clients, solving problems, and driving your mission forward.
What to do:
Choose platforms that can accommodate AI even if you do not plan on using AI anytime soon. We help simplify systems now, so AI can fit in when you’re ready.
Your systems should enable your mission, not constrain it.
These stats tell a story: Australian orgs aspire to achieve more, however, still struggle because of obsolete systems, insufficiently utilised data, overextended staff, and stretched teams.
At AlphaSys, we believe technology should make your job easier – not get in the way. We focus on building sustainable systems for social good, systems that:
- Withstand and build security and trust
- Streamline operational demands
- Facilitate active decision making and data-informed choices
- Support your staff on every level
Whether you need a full rebuild or a few smart upgrades, we build systems that last and support you as you grow.