The research by the ICT Consortium, whose members include NCVO, NACVS, IT4Communities and AbilityNet, found that 85% of voluntary groups said computers were vital to their work yet only 20% said funders were happy to finance both the capital and running costs of ICT.

Other findings from the research included that:

• 70% rated the internet as vital, and the same proportion had broadband access
• 60% of groups with an expenditure of more than £1 million have an ICT strategy, but only 10% of those with an expenditure of less than £25,000 had one
• 54% carry out backup routines rigorously and 24% do so partially
• Just over 40% have networked all their computers, with the same proportion partially networked

The survey was commissioned as part of the ICT Consortium’s work in developing a business plan for the "ICT Hub” being set up as part of the Government-funded £80 million Changeup programme that aims to develop the sector’s infrastructure. The research will form the baseline from which to assess the effectiveness of the hub. Should the plan be accepted, part of it would see the consortium prepare a guide and run a series of seminars for funders advising them on how to cost ICT. It is hoped these would encourage them to fund both the capital and revenue costs of ICT.

The ICT Consortium submitted its bid to run the hub with the Active Communities Directorate at the Home Office at the end of last month, but has run into opposition from CITRA (the Charity IT Resource Alliance), another IT coalition made up of ACEVO, CFDG, the Institute of Fundraising, the Charity Technology Trust and Charity Logistics. CITRA members complain the plans exclude them from running of the hub.

On Monday, CITRA and ICT Consortium members met to try to resolve the dispute. “We are now hopeful that we are moving towards a sector-wide agreement on the proposed ICT Hub,” says NCVO director of services Ben Kernighan.

Copies of the research findings are available from the ICT Consortium’s website www.ictconsortium.org.uk