The nonprofit sector is at a transformative crossroads with the increasing integration of digital technologies into our daily operations and service delivery. The Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR) is spearheading a pioneering initiative, the “Futureproofing the Community Workforce” project, in partnership with organizations Imagine Canada, The Dais Institute, the Digital Governance Council, and Blueprint.
Their collective goal? To navigate and harness the power of the digital world for the benefit of the nonprofit community.
Who is Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR)?
The Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR) is a visionary organization at the forefront of fostering digital empowerment within Canada’s nonprofit sector. CCNDR serves as a hub for innovation, education, and resources, aiming to equip nonprofits with the digital tools and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the modern world. Understanding that digital resilience is critical to the success and sustainability of nonprofits, the Centre advocates for stronger digital governance, offers training and support, and facilitates collaborative efforts to maximize the sector’s impact. By bridging the digital divide, CCNDR endeavors to ensure that nonprofits are not only surviving but thriving in an increasingly digital landscape, enhancing their ability to serve communities and advance social good.
The Vision of the Project
At the heart of the “Futureproofing the Community Workforce” initiative lies an ambitious goal, underpinned by support from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and driven by a consortium of progressive organizations including Imagine Canada, The Dais Institute, the Digital Governance Council, and Blueprint. This undertaking is dedicated to bridging the digital skills divide within the Canadian nonprofit sector, ensuring that its workforce is fully prepared with the essential skills needed to flourish in a world that is becoming progressively digital.
Crafted with intention, the project’s mission unfolds over a strategic timeline of 17 months, aiming to tackle the widening skills gap head-on. The initiative’s objectives are threefold:
- Futureproofing Nonprofit Organizations: It aims to fortify nonprofit entities, enabling them to sustain and enhance their service delivery as they navigate the complexities of the digital age.
- Upskilling the Workforce: The focus is on elevating the workforce’s capabilities by nurturing both foundational and advanced digital competencies, thereby ensuring that employees are well-equipped to meet the demands of their roles.
- Implementing the Skills for Success Model: By adopting this model, the project commits to delivering practical and tailored training strategies. These are designed to be both effective and widely applicable, ensuring that the nonprofit sector at large can benefit from enhanced digital proficiency.
Through these targeted approaches, the “Futureproofing the Community Workforce” initiative aspires to create a resilient and digitally adept nonprofit workforce, capable of leading with innovation and excellence in an evolving digital landscape.
A New Survey for a Digital Era
As part of this extensive project, a new survey has been launched to gather crucial insights into the state of digital skills within the community workforce. This survey, open until March 29, 2024, is available in both English and Français, and serves as a cornerstone in identifying the specific needs and challenges faced by nonprofit professionals in today’s digital landscape.
Why Your Participation Matters
- Identifying Needs: Your insights will help pinpoint the exact areas where the nonprofit workforce needs to grow in terms of digital skills.
- Shaping Resources: The feedback provided will shape the resources and training programs developed, ensuring they are tailored to the needs of the sector.
- Empowering Nonprofits: By contributing to this initiative, you are playing a role in enhancing the digital resilience of the entire nonprofit sector.
Take Part in the Survey
We invite you to take part in this pivotal survey and contribute to a groundbreaking change in the nonprofit sector. By sharing your experiences and challenges, you can help shape a future where nonprofit professionals are adept at leveraging digital tools for greater impact.
To participate in the survey, please visit the following link:
English Survey Or Français Survey
The Future Is Now
The “Futureproofing the Community Workforce” project is a testament to the power of collaboration and forward-thinking within the Canadian nonprofit sector. By participating in this crucial survey, you are not only contributing to the current understanding of digital skills needs but also to the future design of innovations that will boost digital capacity across the sector.
Join the initiative today and help pave the way toward a resilient and digitally savvy nonprofit community in Canada. Your voice matters, and together, we can futureproof the community workforce for a thriving and sustainable tomorrow.
If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please feel free to reach out to: info@ccndr.ca
About the Author:
Shyra Wells is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in storytelling, communication, and event planning across diverse sectors such as academia, fintech, government, and renewable energy. As the Communications & Knowledge Mobilization Lead at the Digital Governance Council, she plays a pivotal role in elevating digital governance practices and driving knowledge mobilization within the community.
