Charities should make use of technology for income generation, collaboration with other organisations and communicating with supporters, according to a new report .

The report, by the technology and welfare charity Lasa, asked digital experts to summarise their insights into how to make the best use of this technology.

Launching the report, Terry Stokes, Lasa's CEO, said: “This report brings together insights from some of the sector's most influential thinkers into how digital can help charity leaders not only weather these exceptionally tough times but seize new opportunities to raise funds, engage stakeholders and collaborate.”

Contributors include charities NCVO, UNICEF UK, Merlin, CLIC Sargent and vInspired, US based nonprofits NTEN and Techsoup Global, The Institute of Fundraising and the funder Nominet Trust. Thought leaders including Chair of Go ON UK Martha Lane Fox, social media and technology expert Beth Kanter, independent charity adviser Rosie Chapman and Rachel Beer, founding partner of Beautiful World have also shared their views.

In the report Vicky Brown, director of Charitycomms, highlights the importance of managing expectations around digital's ability to deliver: “It’s not destined to fail but neither is it a miracle cure-all. And it’s definitely not free.”

Tom Lodziak, digital media manager at the Institute of Fundraising, discusses cost-effective ways to use digital technology. For example, by making the most of free social media, using open source software where possible and finding free ways to learn and develop skills.

You can view the report, presented as a slideshow, online.