{"id":5783,"date":"2026-05-14T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/?p=5783"},"modified":"2026-05-12T13:02:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T17:02:31","slug":"why-data-literacy-matters-more-than-ever-for-canadas-charitable-sector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/2026\/why-data-literacy-matters-more-than-ever-for-canadas-charitable-sector\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Data Literacy Matters More Than Ever for Canada\u2019s Charitable Sector"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        Why Data Literacy Matters More Than Ever for Canada\u2019s Charitable Sector\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Data literacy has become a necessary skill across the charitable sector because organizations are being asked to make decisions more quickly, demonstrate impact more clearly, and navigate complex digital environments more efficiently. The Charity Insights Canada Project\u2019s survey on <a href=\"https:\/\/carletonu.yul1.qualtrics.com\/reports\/RC\/public\/Y2FybGV0b251LTY4NjY3OWQwZmIzYjA5MDAwODIxODVlYi1VUl9iUEdpano4cUpJb09MWEw=\">technology adoption<\/a> indicates that charities recognize the importance of using data well, yet some struggle to access the skills and tools. Although digital tools are now part of everyday nonprofit work, gaps in resources, training, and confidence prevent organizations from fully benefiting from them. The insights shared by survey participants help explain why these gaps persist and why building data literacy is a priority for the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Data Literacy begins with digital tools<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using digital tools regularly, like spreadsheets and surveys, is an important part of digital literacy. In October 2025, hundreds of charities across Canada shared how they use digital tools, where they face barriers, and what training they need to strengthen their digital readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Charities are using digital tools, but they have little time and budget to become proficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most organizations report using digital technologies to some extent, but few feel they are using them to their full potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>63%<\/strong> say they <em>moderately<\/em> use technologies and digital tools, with room for improvement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Only <strong>13%<\/strong> report <em>fully<\/em> utilizing available digital tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>16%<\/strong> say they are exploring the use of tools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This reflects a sector in transition, willing to adopt technologies and digital tools but needing to spend time to improve their skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Digital and data skills are rising priorities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A large majority of charities (<strong>68%<\/strong>) told us that digital skills are becoming a higher priority for their organizations. This shift highlights the essential role of technical capacity in operational sustainability and service delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Data literacy is the top digital skill needed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Which digital skills are most important for charities to develop? When asked, the top answer, selected by <strong>69% <\/strong>of respondents, was <em>collecting, managing, and analyzing data.<\/em> Another <strong>53%<\/strong> named <em>using data to inform decision-making and strategy.<\/em> These responses reinforce a clear message: many charities want to make data-informed decisions but need the foundational skills to get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sector-wide barriers: staffing and funding<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Charities want to strengthen their digital capacity, yet many respondents pointed to limited financial and staffing capacity as a major barrier:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>72%<\/strong> agree that financial constraints impede their ability to improve digital tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>70%<\/strong> agree that limited human resources is a barrier to improving digital skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In comments, panellists shared that even when the benefits of digital tools are clear, the cost of purchasing software, maintaining licenses, or hiring technical help often prevents them from moving forward. The financial pressures limit an organization\u2019s ability to invest in data systems, adopt new technologies, or train staff to use the tools they already have. In the words of one panellist: <em>\u201cWe don&#8217;t have the money to invest in digital tools and infrastructure, or in the additional staff we would need to develop it.\u201d <\/em>The sector sees the value of digital skills, but budgets and capacity are still significant barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CICP Efforts to Build Sector Capacity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help address these gaps, the CICP is be providing free data literacy webinars through our <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/cec\/\">Community Education Centre<\/a>, designed specifically for nonprofit and charitable workers. Our webinars introduce sector workers to the basics of collecting, storing and interpreting data, asking effective questions of their data, and using information ethically and confidently. These sessions are built for people who may be new to data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These webinars focus on tools organizations already have, such as Google and Excel spreadsheets. The webinars are designed to give staff practical techniques they can apply immediately, even in resource-constrained environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why Strengthening Data Literacy Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stronger data literacy supports organizations in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>making clearer, more evidence-based decisions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>allocating resources where they will have the biggest impact<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>communicating results to funders, boards, and communities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>identifying service gaps and equity issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>navigating an increasingly digital funding and policy environment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The findings from our technology adoption research show that charities across Canada want to work with data more confidently and effectively, yet many face ongoing challenges that limit what is possible in their day-to-day operations.&nbsp; The CICP Community Education Centre webinars are designed to help participants build confidence with data in manageable ways that align with the realities of their workload. By creating space for practical learning within reach for many organizations, we hope to contribute to the larger ongoing efforts to improve data literacy across the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n                            \n\n\n<header class=\"mb-6 cu-pageheader cu-component-updated md:mb-12\">\n    <h2 id=\"author\" class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative text-2xl md:text-3xl lg:text-4xl lg:leading-[3rem] pb-4 after:w-8 after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px\">\n        Author\n    <\/h2>\n\n    <\/header>\n        \n        <div class=\"cu-column cu-component not-contained mx-auto grid max-w-5xl md:grid-cols-3 gap-6 md:gap-10\">\n            \n\n    \n    <div class=\"not-prose cu-card rounded-lg @container md:max-w-xl flex flex-col gap-3 bg-white shadow-lg shadow-cu-black-100 text-center group duration-300 ease-in hover:scale-[1.02] hover:shadow-cu-black-200\">\n                    <figure class=\"px-6 pt-8 pb-2 mb-2 overflow-hidden rounded-t-lg cu-figure--round\">\n                                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n                src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2024\/02\/McWhinney-Pic-1-600x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/>\n                                <\/figure>\n        \n        <header class=\"px-6 first:mt-6\">\n            <h2 class=\"text-lg font-semibold text-cu-black @sm:md:text-xl leading-6 @sm:md:leading-8\">\n                                    McWhinney, Tara\n                            <\/h2>\n        <\/header>\n\n        <div class=\"flex flex-col px-6\">\n            <ul class=\"space-y-2 text-sm text-cu-black-700 @sm:md:text-base\">\n                                    <li class=\"text-base @sm:md:text-lg italic\">\n                        Postdoctoral Fellow\n                    <\/li>\n                \n                                    <li>\n                        <strong class=\"font-semibold break-all text-cu-red-700 hover:underline\">\n                            <a href=\"mailto:taramcwhinney@cunet.carleton.ca\">\n                                Email\n                                Tara\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/strong>\n                    <\/li>\n                \n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n\n                    <footer class=\"px-6 pt-3 mt-auto text-white md:pt-5\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/people\/tara-mcwhinney\/\" class=\"cu-button cu-button--red cu-button--small\">\n                    View Profile\n                <\/a>\n            <\/footer>\n            <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to receive our blog posts directly to your email?&nbsp; 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Within\n                                    &#8230;\n                            <\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    \n    <footer class=\"px-6 pt-3 mt-auto md:pt-5\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/2026\/when-dei-isnt-formalized-but-still-matters\/\" class=\"cu-button cu-button--red cu-button--small\">\n            Read news\n            <span class=\"sr-only\">\n                post\n                When DEI isn\u2019t formalized, but still matters\n            <\/span>\n        <\/a>\n    <\/footer>\n<\/div>\n\n            \n                    \n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-card rounded-lg @container md:max-w-xl flex flex-col gap-3 bg-white shadow-lg shadow-cu-black-100 group duration-300 ease-in hover:scale-[1.02] hover:shadow-cu-black-200\">\n\n            <figure class=\"mb-2 overflow-hidden rounded-t-lg\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2026\/02\/CICP-Blog-images-2-600x400.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/>\n        <\/figure>\n    \n    \n        <header class=\"flex flex-col gap-3  px-6 first:mt-6\">\n        <div class=\"flex flex-row w-full gap-1\">\n                        <time datetime=\"2026-05-13T20:00:00-04:00\" class=\"block italic text-sm text-cu-black-600\">\n        May 14, 2026\n    <\/time>\n\n                    <\/div>        \n        \n    \n    <h2 class=\"line-clamp-3 text-lg font-semibold text-cu-black @sm:md:text-xl leading-6 @sm:md:leading-8\">\n        Why Data Literacy Matters More Than Ever for Canada\u2019s Charitable Sector\n    <\/h2>\n\n            <\/header>\n\n\n            <div class=\"flex flex-col px-6 dark:text-white\">\n            <p class=\"text-base text-cu-black-700 dark:text-white \">\n                Data literacy has become a necessary skill across the charitable sector because organizations are being asked to make decisions more quickly, demonstrate impact more clearly,\n                                    &#8230;\n                            <\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    \n    <footer class=\"px-6 pt-3 mt-auto md:pt-5\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/2026\/why-data-literacy-matters-more-than-ever-for-canadas-charitable-sector\/\" class=\"cu-button cu-button--red cu-button--small\">\n            Read news\n            <span class=\"sr-only\">\n                post\n                Why Data Literacy Matters More Than Ever for Canada\u2019s Charitable Sector\n            <\/span>\n        <\/a>\n    <\/footer>\n<\/div>\n\n            \n                    \n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-card rounded-lg @container md:max-w-xl flex flex-col gap-3 bg-white shadow-lg shadow-cu-black-100 group duration-300 ease-in hover:scale-[1.02] hover:shadow-cu-black-200\">\n\n            <figure class=\"mb-2 overflow-hidden rounded-t-lg\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2026\/02\/CICP-Blog-images-600x400.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/>\n        <\/figure>\n    \n    \n        <header class=\"flex flex-col gap-3  px-6 first:mt-6\">\n        <div class=\"flex flex-row w-full gap-1\">\n                        <time datetime=\"2026-03-18T20:00:00-04:00\" class=\"block italic text-sm text-cu-black-600\">\n        March 19, 2026\n    <\/time>\n\n                    <\/div>        \n        \n    \n    <h2 class=\"line-clamp-3 text-lg font-semibold text-cu-black @sm:md:text-xl leading-6 @sm:md:leading-8\">\n        Measuring What Matters: Rethinking Impact Evaluation\n    <\/h2>\n\n            <\/header>\n\n\n            <div class=\"flex flex-col px-6 dark:text-white\">\n            <p class=\"text-base text-cu-black-700 dark:text-white \">\n                In Canada\u2019s charitable sector, \u201cimpact\u201d has become a buzzword. It is embedded in grant applications, strategic plans, and funder conversations as a signal of seriousness\n                                    &#8230;\n                            <\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    \n    <footer class=\"px-6 pt-3 mt-auto md:pt-5\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/2026\/evaluation-is-about-learning-not-just-compliance\/\" class=\"cu-button cu-button--red cu-button--small\">\n            Read news\n            <span class=\"sr-only\">\n                post\n                Measuring What Matters: Rethinking Impact Evaluation\n            <\/span>\n        <\/a>\n    <\/footer>\n<\/div>\n\n                    \n        <\/div>\n        \n                                    \n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Data literacy has become a necessary skill across the charitable sector because organizations are being asked to make decisions more quickly, demonstrate impact more clearly, and navigate complex digital environments more efficiently. The Charity Insights Canada Project\u2019s survey on technology adoption indicates that charities recognize the importance of using data well, yet some struggle to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":5452,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[75,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5783","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-posts-en","category-news"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5783","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5783"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5783\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5787,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5783\/revisions\/5787"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5452"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5783"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5783"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cicp-pcpob\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5783"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}