Data Protection Compliance for Non-profits
Making data protection compliance practical, contextual, and meaningful
Non-profit organisations routinely collect, store, and process personal data in the course of delivering programmes, conducting research, engaging with beneficiaries, managing donors, and coordinating with partners.
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This data often includes sensitive personal information, and its responsible handling is critical not only for legal compliance but also for maintaining the trust and dignity of the communities they serve.
From policy to practice — is your data protection framework aligned?
How prepared is your organisation for data protection compliance?
* Pacta’s privacy self-assessment tool helps organisations review their current privacy practices and offers indicative personalised recommendations
Pacta's Legal and Strategic Support for Navigating the DPDP Act
While India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) and Rules (2025) applies across sectors, its implications for non-profit organisations are distinct. The introduction of new compliance obligations necessitates accessible, sector-specific guidance to help non-profits understand and implement the law effectively.
Pacta works with social impact organisations to navigate DPDP compliance in ways that are legally sound, ethically grounded, and proportionate to risk, without diverting energy away from mission.
Priority on stakeholder
co-creation over consultant imposition
Stakeholder
Co-creation
Policies, SOPs,
and templates tailored for practical,
real-world implementation
Practical and Implementable
Focused efforts
on high-priority compliance gaps and significant threats
Risk-
Proportionate
Alignment between global organizational standards and India's regulatory requirements
Industry Good Practices
Building
internal capacity
for sustained compliance
beyond external consultants.
Fostering
Self-reliance
Five foundational principles of Pacta's non-profit-first approach to data protection
Pacta’s DPDP Engagement Framework
Our audits have helped clients to identify compliance gaps and initiate necessary processes, appointments, and documentation to comply with the DPDP Act. Pacta’s services has aided non-profits to demonstrate the legal compliance of their products and processes, enabling to scale their programs as a government partner.
Some of our notable clients include:
The Azim Premji Foundation, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, Piramal Swasthya Foundation, Armman, British Asian Trust
Featured Engagements
Through primers, policy analyses, and sector-focused studies, Pacta examines how emerging privacy regulations affect non-profits, research institutions, and programmes handling sensitive personal data, while identifying practical pathways for compliance, governance, and ethical data use.
By translating complex regulatory developments into actionable insights, these open resources support organisations, policymakers, and ecosystem actors in building responsible, transparent, and rights-respecting data practices.
A primer offering a consolidated and practical introduction to the law for NPOs
A primer offering with implementable strategies to mitigate legal and ethical risks from using AI.
Advancing inclusive and rights-based approaches to consent and data protection.
Pulse by Pacta-Newsletter
A series of blogs unpacking DPDP compliance for non-profits
Our Research