The conversation on the “right” approach to IT Governance for international NGOs (iNGOs) is not new – it regularly features on the agendas of NetHope’s Chapter meetings and the NetHope Global Summit and will likely continue to do so. IT Governance is ultimately about finding good ways of balancing competing needs and priorities, and done efficiently, it will not only keep organizations safe but also ensure that ever reducing resources for IT and digital investment are used in the most effective way, transforming organizations so they can accelerate their impact.
With the particularly volatile environment NGOs are working in today, they must be ready for rapid changes by adapting structures, processes, and systems; for taking informed decisions based on data, and to for keeping their organizations and their data safe. This is where having effective IT governance structures in place is essential.
The arrival of generative AI tools has created a whole new level of possibilities for any user to interact with data or to create IT solutions – and with that, both a source of accelerated digital innovation as well an increased threat to cyber security and data privacy. How does IT – and data – governance need to adapt to, and maybe even utilize, AI?
And what about the extended humanitarian and development ecosystem? Working with an increasing number of local implementing partners creates another set of new challenges as well as new opportunities, as iNGOs share or integrate their IT systems with implementing partners, and respond to their requests for support and skill building.
In this report, we summarize the many conversations we have had with iNGO CIOs and IT leaders on the topic, to see how they approach IT governance in their organizations, what they have learned, and what they need to consider for the future.
Complete the form below to access the toolkit: Nonprofit IT Governance and Localized Digital Transformation Scenarios.
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To access the Toolkit: Nonprofit IT Governance and Localized Digital Transformation Scenarios - August 2025 | NetHope, please complete the form below for a download link, emailed to you on submission.
