The Digital Governance Standards Institute (DGSI) is proud to announce the publication of CAN/DGSI 100-11:2025 – Data Governance for the Delivery of Community and Human Services, a new National Standard of Canada. This standard provides organizations across the nonprofit and human services sector with a practical, equity driven framework to govern the collection, storage, use, and sharing of personal and sensitive data.

Developed in close collaboration with leading nonprofits, funders, and digital policy advocates, CAN/DGSI 100-11 is a sector-specific response to the growing need for stronger, more consistent data governance practices in community organizations that are increasingly reliant on digital tools to deliver critical services.

“The finalization of the CAN/DGSI 100-11 standard marks a pivotal moment for the nonprofit sector in Canada,” said Pamela Uppal-Sandhu, Interim Co-Executive Director and Director of Policy at the Ontario Nonprofit Network. “These standards are vitally important in supporting the data governance of nonprofits, and ensuring ethical, secure handling of sensitive data. We look forward to working with the sector in implementing the standard.”

The standard is particularly relevant to small and medium-sized nonprofit organizations that serve some of Canada’s most vulnerable populations. It offers concrete guidance for ethical and privacy preserving data management, while acknowledging the unique resource constraints and responsibilities of the sector.

Key components of the standard include:

• Clear roles and responsibilities for data oversight and decision-making
• Requirements for obtaining informed consent and minimizing data collection
• Secure storage practices and access controls
• Ethical frameworks for data sharing, publishing, and equity-based governance
• Alignment with Indigenous data sovereignty principles, including OCAP®, and other community-led frameworks

The final standard was developed by a national volunteer drafting committee comprised of subject matter experts from across the Canadian nonprofit sector, including representatives from the Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN), the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), Common Approach to Impact Measurement, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Toronto, the New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data and Training (NB-IRDT), and the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR), which also led the initial development of the standard.

“The CAN/DGSI 100-11 data standard plays an essential role in supporting nonprofit community organizations, specifically those who work with vulnerable groups. The Digital Governance Standards Institute offers clear and actionable guidance for ethical and privacy-focused data management, tailored to the sector’s unique needs and limitations,” said Katharine Bambrick, CEO at the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

To help organizations put the standard into practice, DGSI has also released a Data Governance Implementation Checklist. This companion tool breaks down the standard’s requirements into clear, actionable steps covering governance, data collection, security, access, and sharing—making it easier for organizations to assess and strengthen their practices.

“As the nonprofit sector continues its digital transformation, setting a standard like CAN/DGSI 100-11 is essential to establishing a baseline for equity. This isn’t just about technology — it’s about trust, transparency, and ensuring that the move toward digital doesn’t deepen existing disparities. By embedding equity and community accountability into data governance, this standard helps create a shared foundation for nonprofits to build ethical, secure, and inclusive digital practices.” Wilfreda Edward, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience

Download the Standard and Checklist CAN/DGSI 100-11 HERE

Get involved

The DGSI’s development process is collaborative and open to all, and anyone interested in contributing to the development of digital governance standards is encouraged to get involved. For more information on how to participate, contact:

Darryl Kingston
Executive Director
Digital Governance Standards Institute
darryl.kingston@dgc-cgn.org

 
For further details or media inquiries, please contact:

Shyra Wells
Communications and Knowledge Mobilization Lead
Digital Governance Council
shyra.craig@dgc-cgn.org

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.