How CiCs can access free and discounted tech

Community interest companies (CiCs), much like charities, are experiencing a tough time. The cost-of-living crisis and various other economic challenges has resulted in less funding, less room for experimenting, but an increased demand. In the exact moment that our communities need support, CiCs are struggling to pursue social objectives and achieve lasting impact.  

But, despite the uncertainty, we are seeing bits of economic optimism. A study from Accenture and S&P Global suggests, for example, that UK bosses believe the future may be brighter than previously anticipated. Overseas firms are still keen on investment, inflation is falling faster than expected, and pay has started to outstrip inflation. In short, we might see an economic turn in the next year. 

Free and discounted tech is essential, whether the economy turns or not. If it’s another tough year, free tech promises a quick and easy way to cut expenditure in the present and future, an easy way to boost return on investment (ROI) on a budget. If the economy improves, CiCs can invest in free and discounted tech that will provide long-term sustainability, taking advantage of the increased financial freedom. 

So, with that in mind, we want to run through the best discounted tech for CiCs, as well as looking at some brilliant free resources and some digital hacks that can help you thrive in 2024 and beyond.  

Skip to: What is a community interest company (CiC)? 

Skip to: What is the best discounted tech for CiCs? 

Skip to: Free tech education and resources for CiCs 

Skip to: The best tech and digital hacks for CiCs 

Skip to: CiCs and discounted tech: In conclusion

What is a community interest company (CiC)? 

The Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 introduced a special form of limited company designed for social enterprises that use profit and assets for the public good. A CiC, according to CA 2004, is formed to pursue community of social objectives. Its activities are regulated to ensure that CiCs constantly benefit society, rather than focus solely on profits.  

To establish a CiC, the company must meet specific criteria and adhere to the community interest test, ensuring that activities are carried out to benefit the community. Regulations commit CiCs to additional reporting requirements, meant to demonstrate their social impact.  

The CiC can engage in business activities, such as trading and generating profits, but the profits should be reinvested in the community or used to further the CiC’s social objectives. CiCs also have an “asset lock” that restricts distribution of profits, providing reassurance that assets will be used to achieve the mission.  

You can form a CiC with any number of members, and you can have a range of stakeholders, paid through dividends or performance-related interest. Setting up a CiC is straightforward, with the formation and regulation similar to any limited company, with the only difference that the regulator must be satisfied that you company passes the “community interest test”. 

In summary, CiCs are a unique company structure designed for social enterprises, combining business activities with a commitment to community benefit and social impact. And, much like charities, CiCs can take advantage of loads of the free and discounted tech that are on offer strictly to them. 

What is the best discounted tech for CiCs? 

CiCs need tech to complete their mission. The Charity Digital Exchange provides that tech, often at a heavily discounted price, often reaching up to 90%. Indeed, some of the tech on the Exchange is completely free, meaning that CiCs will only have to pay a small admin fee.  

Below we look at some vital tech that is available to CiCs. 

Discounted cyber security technology 

Cyber security is one of the most important issues facing non-profits and CiCs. The need for cyber security is drastically increased during economic uncertainty, as cyber criminals aim to take advantage of the non-profit sector and non-profits tend to reduce expenditure on the very products that could protect them. 

Cyber security experts Avast are here to help. On the Charity Digital Exchange, which you can access using the button below, CiCs and non-profits can invest in comprehensive protection, such antivirus, content filtering, and patch management. All of these are easy to onboard and very affordable. 

BROWSE THE AVAST CATALOGUE HERE 

Discounted email marketing software 

Dotdigital for nonprofits allows teams to create, design, perfect, and send emails at exceptionally low rates. The email marketing platform provides various advanced tools, including integrated automation, effective segmentation, data analytics and data reporting, personalisation, and many more. The software allows CiCs to optimise their emails, ensuring that you achieve more with every email sent.  

ENQUIRE HERE 

Discounted non-profit payment service 

Every organisation is unique – whatever kind of payment processing service you need, our team will help you find the most budget-friendly and stress-free solution. Charity Digital’s Charity Payments service gives the UK non-profit sector a swift and cost-effective way to take payments by direct debit. 

MORE INFORMATION HERE 

Discounted financial services software 

Calxa is designed with non-profit organisations in mind. It helps with budgeting, tracking program funding, and board reporting for good governance. The platform helps Chief Finance Officers and other finance professionals save time delivering monthly reports, helps others to track budgets, helps Chief Revenue Officers to track performance, and helps trustees or boards to understand financial reports. The discount on the Charity Digital Exchange is huge: you can access a Premier Annual Subscription for just £25 + VAT, reduced from £1200!  

CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT 

Discounted and donated hardware 

In Kind Direct is a non-profit that believes everyone deserves access to life’s essentials and that no usable product should go to waste. They distribute quality consumer products, donated by some of the UK’s best-known manufacturers, retailers, and brands, to non-profit organisations – including CiCs, charities, community groups, foodbanks, and schools – who join their network for free. 

MORE INFORMATION HERE 

Discounted tech to optimise hardware 

Cleaner Cloud is a cloud-based version of the award-winning CCleaner tool, designed for IT managers. This centrally managed solution helps businesses to keep all their PCs optimised, up to speed, and easily maintained and managed. The tech helps you to reduce costs, too, and increase general business efficiency by cleaning files, recovering space, reducing crashes, and automatically speeding up computers. 

CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT 

Discounted domain name 

Charity Digital is pleased to partner with Porkbun to offer a FREE .charity domain for our members. .CHARITY is the domain for non-profit organisations from around the world that want to signal their organisation’s commitment to making a difference in the world. Having a branded domain is a powerful and inexpensive tool for your nonprofit. Build trust, improve fundraising & instantly launch your brand! 

CLAIM YOUR FREE DOMAIN

Free tech education and resources for CiCs 

There are plenty of places online that provide information and content for CiCs, ranging from webinars, podcasts, workshops, articles, and so much more, all dedicated to helping non-profits to maximise the tech they are using. Below we look at some of the best educational resources for your CiC.  

Learn about tech from Charity Digital 

Charity Digital not only offers free tech and discounted tech, but we also offer content of various forms to help CiCs implement, optimise, and generally make the most out of that tech. 

The best tech and digital hacks for CiCs 

Free and discounted tech options often come with caveats. You need to be eligible, or you need to follow some specified criteria. But, regardless of the shape and size of your organisation, plenty of tech and digital hacks can give your access to cheap or donated tech. 

The hacks might require minimal effort on your part, but the rewards are plentiful. Check out some of our favourite free and cheap tech hacks below.  

Check out Facebook Marketplace 

Facebook Marketplace gives CiCs the chance to buy used or new items locally. Facebook Marketplace has become popular in recent years – for good reason. The platform has an impressive section dedicated entirely to free stuff – and that includes tech. You will need to sift through and find great deals that you want. You will likely be required to pick the tech up from a particular location, so keep an eye on the journey, but people based near cities should have no problem finding a tech diamond among the rough.  

Become a product tester 

Companies want to test their products. You want products. So get involved in a product testing programme to trial hardware like TVs, speakers, even hair clippers. Some options will certainly help in the modern workforce. Other companies, such as Microsoft, offer even greater opportunities to trial tech, including their Microsoft programme. That’s just the start. A little research and you’ll find tons of different companies offering product testing. Search for your favourite brands and see what’s on offer. 

Go second- or third-hand 

We’ve already mentioned Facebook Marketplace. But there are loads of other places to find cheap or free second- or third- or even fourth-hand tech that still does the job. Craigslist and Gumtree are two famous and popular options. The sites also provide pretty much anything else you might need, from wardrobes to three-legged tables to frisbees, but we’ll stick to tech for the minute. 

Buy in bulk 

Another money saving tip is to buy in bulk. Often software providers, such as Microsoft, can offer further deals to non-profits who are buying licences and access to technology in bulk. So bigger CiCs can likely buy hardware in bulk to reduce costs. The key to buying in bulk is to first evaluate your needs. You don’t want to buy in bulk with the aim of saving money and then waste money on excess equipment. Lots of CiCs will not need to buy in bulk – and therefore should not, regardless of the potential cost savings. 

Rent tech  

Software can also be “rented” by buying it for a limited time. Renting tech can prove much cheaper than buying year or multi-year licences, especially if your CiC only wants to use specific software for a short period of time. Renting tech allows greater flexibility. You can upgrade equipment at any time, rather than feeling lumbered with existing tech. There are plenty of places to rent tech, including: