Working Patterns of Transformed Nonprofit Organisations During the Pandemic. The Italian Case

This study examines the digital transformation processes and challenges faced by nonprofit organisations (NPOs) in the Lombardy region of Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic. While nonprofits encountered multiple challenges, the pandemic also highlighted the importance of digitalisation by prompting organisations to reassess their technological capabilities, internal processes, and stakeholder engagement practices. The purpose of the study is to analyse how non-profits in Lombardy navigated the shift toward digital tools, identify key barriers to digital transformation, and evaluate the perceived impact of digitalisation on organisational functioning. This study employs the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to explore the factors influencing technology acceptance and the integration of digital tools within the nonprofit sector. The research uses a survey-based methodology, gathering 118 responses from nonprofit personnel across diverse organisations in the Lombardy region, Italy. The questionnaire captured respondents’ rankings of digitalisation challenges, the impact of digital tools on fundraising, communication, and internal processes, as well as the areas where digital transformation remains incomplete. In addition, the survey assessed participants’ expectations regarding the future role of digital technologies in NPO operations. Initially, the questionnaire was prepared in English, translated into Italian, piloted for reliability and then distributed online. The findings reveal that participating NPOs believe limited financial resources, gaps in digital skills, and the absence of clear digital strategies to be the most substantial obstacles in their digital transformation journey. Despite these barriers, most respondents reported positive organisational outcomes, including improved communication, enhanced outreach, increased recruitment capacity, and more effective fundraising processes. The results indicate that digital tools supported organisational resilience during crises such as a pandemic and are widely expected to remain integral to nonprofit operations in the post-crisis environment. The study further highlights the importance of accelerating digital capabilities to ensure successful adaptation and also for nonprofit organisations to remain competitive in the future. The conclusion emphasises that although digitalisation has already brought clear benefits for nonprofit organisations, long-term success requires continued investment in digital skills, strategic planning, cybersecurity, and infrastructure. These insights contribute to a broader understanding of nonprofit digital readiness and underscore the need to support organisations in the ongoing digital transformation process.