What is GRNDS?

The Global Register of Nonprofit Data Sources (GRNDS) is a collaborative project with the goal of improving the global nonprofit sector’s legibility. We’re doing this through the use of administrative data sources. By collecting and transforming national charity registers into usable databases, we can drive unique academic research, create new tools to improve how nonprofits operate, and support the sector’s use of administrative data sources more generally. 

What are Charity Registers and Regulators?

Charities are nonprofit organizations that promote a wide range of philanthropic goals. Charity registers contain lists of all organizations that have received charitable status and are managed by national charity regulators through administrative forms.  

In Canada, for example, charities register their status through the Income Tax Act, by completing a T3010 “Registered Charity Information Return” form, which is regulated by the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) Charities Directorate. This kind of administrative data allows for a unique perspective on the charity and nonprofit sector.

Why is Accessing Charity Registers Useful?

Charity registers are a type of administrative data, which is typically finer-grained than more readily available datasets that offer aggregated sector- or nation-wide information. The regularly collected disaggregate information that charity registers provide is what allows for a more detailed view of a country’s nonprofit landscape. 

How does GRNDS use this Data?

Understanding what information national regulars collect and publish provides a global overview of the data environment charities and nonprofits operate in. This greater legibility supports both academics and practitioners in leveraging existing administrative data for new research into the sector, supporting requests to access new data sources, and drives the creation of best practices that can improve the accessibility of the data that is available. 

What is GRNDS up to Next?

Starting with an initial set of countries, we’re continuing to expand this list globally. Working in partnership with local #GivingTuesday members, GRNDS is producing a set of regional reports and will offer a series of webinars to introduce GRNDS and summarize our latest findings. 

Our academic collaborators have several papers in the publication process exploring the global variation in national data environments. Ajah is also working to develop new data-driven tools for nonprofits to exploit their own national data sources, help improve fundraising efforts, and support their advocacy and programming goals. 

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