Why Your Not-for-Profit Needs a Digital Strategy in 2025
For many not-for-profit organisations, legacy systems and reactive IT practices are no longer sustainable.
In 2024, a leading WA-based not-for-profit recognised this reality and engaged Calibre Consulting to help them shape a clear path to digital maturity.
The result was a five-year digital strategy that fundamentally changed the way the organisation approached technology — with an estimated $11.7 million in benefits over three years.
“Our organisation engaged Calibre Consulting to work with us to develop a digital strategy.
Michael and the team actively engaged with many stakeholders to align the strategy with the future directions of the business. The Calibre team worked extremely well with staff at all levels across the organisation gaining valuable insights which contributed to the strategy. Throughout the engagement, the Calibre team also regularly provided updates keeping the Steering Committee well informed.
I highly recommend Calibre Consulting, so much so that we have already engaged Michael again on another project”
The Challenge: Lack of Vision, Time, and Modern Tools
The organisation had reached a tipping point. IT teams were overwhelmed by reactive issues, unable to focus on strategic projects. Systems were outdated, and staff and customer frustration was rising. Most critically, the organisation lacked a unified IT vision, which hindered effective capital planning and decision-making.
The Approach: Structured Strategy Grounded in Insight
Calibre Consulting was selected through an RFP process to serve as the organisation’s Digital Strategy Partner. Our approach was centred on three key areas:
We began with deep stakeholder engagement, conducting over 95 interviews with staff, customers, and executives to surface key insights. From there, we assessed the current state of IT and digital operations, identifying major pain points including service inefficiencies, inconsistent data quality, and technology adoption challenges.
Finally, we developed a targeted five-year digital strategy focused on value delivery. The strategy included initiatives across IT uplift, cyber resilience, and customer portal enhancements, all tied directly to the organisation’s goals.
The Results: Tangible Savings, Strategic Alignment, and a Stronger Culture
The digital strategy delivered far more than a technology roadmap. It enabled the organisation to make cost-effective investments, projecting a return of $11.7 million against a $4 million spend over three years. All initiatives were justified with cost-benefit analyses, resulting in a net benefit of $7.6 million.
More importantly, the strategy ensured strong alignment with business priorities — including reducing administrative overheads, improving staff morale, and enhancing customer outcomes. Beyond the numbers, the strategy strengthened cybersecurity posture and improved the organisation’s digital reputation.
Why This Matters for Not for Profits
For not-for-profit leaders, an effective digital strategy is more than a technology initiative — it’s a business enabler.
When done right, it drives measurable impact, improves efficiency, and builds organisational resilience.
If your team is stuck in reactive IT, unclear on digital priorities, or preparing to invest in new systems, a digital strategy is a vital first step. At Calibre Consulting, we help not-for-profits define a clear, financially justified roadmap — aligned to mission, measurable in value, and ready to deliver results.
Contact Us
Our consultants Michael Eng and John Phillips worked directly on this project.
Michael Eng - Director
michael@calibreconsulting.au
John Phillips - Principal Consultant
john@calibreconsulting.au