Summary
A collective digital fund for charities seeking digital support that includes access to hardware, digital infrastructure, software, skills and support.
Aims and activities
Aims and questions
Aims and activities
Whilst every day we hear headlines about the speed and scale of the global disruption of AI, within the UK charity sector we’re facing a critical digital divide. While larger organisations can afford dedicated expertise and investment, small charities struggle to access the tailored support, funding and guidance needed to navigate digital change - from the skills, hardware, networks and support, through to engaging with AI.
Our Ambition
We are looking to establish a Collective Digital Fund to respond to this. Funders contribute to a shared pot and can align their contribution with their strategic priorities (such as skills development, hardware provision, AI adoption, cyber resilience, or their priorities for the types of organisations they can support). In the early stages, the fund will be managed by CAST and The Clothworkers’ Foundation. As additional partners join the fund, the approach will evolve collaboratively. By pooling resources and aligning funder priorities, we would aim to::
- Rapidly provide funding and support to the sector (without having to wait for all funders to develop internal expertise around this funding)
- Accelerate digital adoption across small and medium charities in ways that meet their communities’ needs.
- Build sector-wide resilience through coordinated investment
- Enable faster, more responsive funding decisions
How to get involved
Each funder might align fully, or define their own strategic priorities. The Clothworkers’ Foundation is considering allocating £750,000 per year initially for two years. We are currently speaking with funders who are interested in contributing to the Collective Digital Fund pilot through Spring and Summer for an Autumn 2026 start. We would particularly welcome conversations with funders who:
- support small and medium charities
- are interested in digital transformation, infrastructure or AI
- can commit funding for a two-year pilot.
For more information, you can contact jackie@wearecast.org.uk
