Happy New Year to one and all! Here I am, once again, with that time-honored tradition of attempting to forecast what is in store for the upcoming year in the world of IT. As we dive head-first into 2026, at least one thing is crystal-clear: Technology is no longer just a back-office function. It’s central to how organizations operate, stay secure, and move their missions forward.
At CGNET, we’re seeing this shift firsthand. Our nonprofit and foundation partners aren’t asking about technology for technology’s sake – they’re asking how to use it more intentionally, more safely, and in ways that genuinely support their people and programs. This year feels less about chasing the next shiny tool and more about making smarter, more grounded choices.
So, without further ado, here are a few IT themes we expect to shape 2026 – and what they mean for mission-driven organizations.
AI Becomes Part of Everyday Work
In 2026, AI moves beyond pilots and experiments and starts showing up in daily workflows. We’re already seeing organizations use AI to analyze data, draft content, summarize information, and automate repetitive tasks – freeing staff to focus on higher-value work.
For nonprofits and foundations, the real opportunity isn’t “AI everywhere.” It’s practical, well-governed AI that actually helps staff do their jobs better. At CGNET, we spend a lot of time helping organizations think through questions like:
Where does AI truly add value?
What guardrails are needed?
How do we make sure these tools align with mission, ethics, and culture?
In 2026, the winners will be the organizations that answer those questions thoughtfully.
Cybersecurity Takes Center Stage
Cyber threats aren’t slowing down – and unfortunately, nonprofits remain attractive targets. In 2026, we expect cybersecurity conversations to shift even further away from reactive fixes and toward long-term resilience.
That means more focus on Zero Trust approaches, stronger identity and access management, and smarter security tools that use AI to spot issues earlier. From CGNET’s perspective, cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue – it’s about protecting donor trust, sensitive data, and organizational credibility. The organizations that invest steadily in security fundamentals now will be far better positioned when (not if) something goes wrong.
Cloud Strategies Get Smarter
Cloud platforms continue to be the backbone of modern IT, but the “cloud-first at all costs” mindset is fading. Rising subscription costs and AI-driven workloads are pushing organizations to be more intentional about what lives where.
In 2026, success won’t mean moving everything to the cloud. It will mean designing hybrid or multi-cloud environments that balance cost, performance, and security. This is an area where CGNET often helps organizations step back, take inventory, and right-size their environments – so they’re paying for what they actually need and nothing more.
IT Skills Continue to Evolve
Even as the tech job market shifts, demand remains strong for skills in AI, cloud, data, and cybersecurity. For many nonprofits, building and retaining all of that expertise in-house just isn’t realistic.
That’s why we see more organizations leaning on trusted IT partners – not just for day-to-day support, but for strategic guidance and long-term planning. In 2026, flexibility and collaboration matter as much as technical expertise. The goal isn’t to know everything internally – it’s to have the right support model in place when needs change.
For over forty-two years, CGNET has provided state-of-the-art IT services to organizations of all sizes, across the globe. We’ve done it all, from IT and cybersecurity assessments to cloud services management to generative AI user training. Want to learn more about who we are and how we might be able to help you? If so, check out our website or send us a message!
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