Smartdesc Newsletter, March 2026

Welcome to our March newsletter!

This month, our fourth annual Charity Technology Leaders Survey for 2026 is closing soon – On 20th April 2026. If you haven’t completed it yet, please have your say here; it only takes a few minutes. A huge thank you to everyone who’s already shared their insights; your input is helping shape IT in the nonprofit sector. The findings will be shared in an Executive Report and at our event on 14th May 2026 with Charity IT Leaders – Register via the link below.

We’re hosting three peer-led roundtables in April and May! These are safe spaces for charity IT leaders to share experiences, discuss challenges and explore opportunities in cybersecurity, data protection and IT leadership as a Chief Financial Officer. See below for details and to secure your spot.

We’re also highlighting our latest blogs on why fractional / part time virtual Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) & virtual Data Protection Officer (DPO) services make sense for modern organisations, how non-profits can meet sustainability goals while reducing spend and finally news of Microsoft E7, Microsoft’s new frontier suite.

Charity IT resources

Our charity technology leaders survey 2026 is ending soon! Complete our annual technology survey to help shape best practices across the non-profit sector. Plus, you could win one of four £150 Amazon vouchers or a charity donation. It will take no more than 10 minutes to complete – Complete survey.
Cyber Security Roundtable. Smartdesc is hosting a roundtable for charity IT leaders on strengthening your nonprofit with essential cyber security practices on 15th April at Microsoft, Paddington – Join our roundtable.
Data Protection Roundtable. Smartdesc is hosting a roundtable for charity IT leaders on securing the future of data protection for social impact on 23rd April at Microsoft, Paddington – Join our roundtable.
Chief Financial Officer Roundtable. Smartdesc is hosting a roundtable for charity IT leaders on leading IT without IT knowledge as a CFO on 7th May at Microsoft, Paddington – Join our roundtable.
Charity Technology Leaders Report Debrief 2026 with Charity IT Leaders. Smartdesc and Charity IT Leaders are hosting an event to discuss the findings from the fourth annual Charity Technology Leaders Report on 14th May at Microsoft, Paddington – Register now.
Why Virtual CISOs & DPOs Make Sense.
Need senior security or privacy leadership but not a full‑time hire? Our latest blog explains how vCISO and vDPO services give organisations expert guidance, flexible support and predictable costs – Learn more.
Meet Sustainability Goals While Reducing IT Spend. Nonprofit organisations are under pressure to do more with less. Tighter budgets, rising sustainability targets and tech refresh cycles that never slow down. A structured IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) strategy is key – Read more.
Microsoft 365 E7 – Everything You Need to Know About Microsoft’s New Frontier Suite. Microsoft 365 E7, bringing the next wave of secure AI-powered productivity. Microsoft has introduced a cutting-edge enterprise suite, Microsoft 365 E7, designed to empower organisations to embrace AI with confidence and compliance – Read now.