Ottawa, ON — The Digital Governance Standards Institute (DGSI) is pleased to announce the launch of a 60-day public review period for DGSI 135: Digital capability assessment framework for nonprofit organizations, marking an important step toward its designation as a National Standard of Canada.
The public review opens today, April 23, 2026, and will close on June 22, 2026.
Originally published as DGSI 135, this standard establishes a practical, technology-agnostic framework to help nonprofit organizations assess, prioritize, and strengthen their digital capabilities across key operational areas. Advancing this work to a National Standard of Canada reflects its growing importance in supporting digital resilience, accountability, and effective service delivery across the nonprofit sector.
The transition from DGSI 135 to CAN/DGSI 135 represents a key milestone in the standards development process. Public review is a required step to ensure transparency, consensus, and broad stakeholder engagement before a standard can be formally designated as a National Standard of Canada.
Supporting Digital Capability Across the Nonprofit Sector
DGSI 135 provides a structured approach for organizations to evaluate their digital maturity, identify gaps, and plan improvements aligned with their mandates and available resources. The framework addresses core domains including digital tools, data practices, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, communication systems, and digital leadership.
By establishing a consistent and scalable model for digital capability assessment, the standard supports organizations in building stronger operational foundations while adapting to rapidly evolving technologies and increasing digital demands.
Call for Public Input
The DGSI invites stakeholders, experts, practitioners, and members of the public to review the draft standard and provide feedback as part of the public review process.
Input from the public review will play a critical role in refining the standard and ensuring it reflects diverse perspectives, practical needs, and real-world applications across the nonprofit sector.
Comments can be submitted directly via DGSI 135.
About the Digital Governance Standards Institute
The Digital Governance Standards Institute develops digital technology governance standards fit for global use. The Institute works with experts, as well as national and global partners and the public to develop national standards that reduce risk to Canadians and Canadian organizations adopting and using innovative digital technologies in today’s digital economy. The Institute is an independent division of the Digital Governance Council. To learn more about the organization and its initiatives, visit www.dgc-cgn.org or contact info@dgc-cgn.org.