Frequently Asked Questions – Digital Toolbook for Social Impact
About the Compendium
1. What is the Digital Toolbook for Social Impact and why was it created?
This compendium is a curated repository of digital tools, technologies and service-providers designed to support social purpose organisations (SPOs) in India in their digital transformation journey. It was created to bridge key gaps such as uncertainty about tool choices, limited budgets and lack of tech-implementation roadmaps revealed in “The State of the Sector Report on Digital Transformation for Nonprofits in India”.
2. Who should use this compendium and what digital maturity levels does it address?
The resource is aimed at Indian nonprofits/SPOs at varying digital maturity levels from organisations beginning their digital journey through to those looking to scale or optimise digital-tech investments. It is especially relevant for those dealing with constrained budgets, uncertain tech choices and limited internal capacity
3. How often is the compendium updated and how will I know when updates are made?
The compendium is updated periodically (e.g., quarterly or semi-annual) to reflect new tools, services and sector-insights. Updates will be announced through the DT4SI website and newsletter.
Tools & Organisations Included
4. What types of digital tools and service providers are included in the compendium?
The toolbook covers solutions across key functional domains relevant to nonprofits: programme management, monitoring & evaluation, fundraising and communications, data & analytics, finance & operations, and cybersecurity/privacy.
5. How are tools and organisations selected for inclusion in the compendium?
Selection is based on a multi-step criteria: insights from the State-of-Sector Report, expert consultations, relevance to nonprofit constraints (budget, usability, scalability), and sector feedback.
6. Are the digital tools in the compendium free or paid – what is the cost model for nonprofits?
The compendium includes both free and paid tools tailored for nonprofits’ budgets. Where applicable, pricing models and accessible options are flagged to enable informed decision-making.
7. Does the compendium include localised (India-specific) tools and service providers?
Yes the database includes tools and service-providers relevant to the Indian context, with attention to regional language, budget constraints, infrastructure readiness and regulatory requirements.
Usage & Access
8. How can I identify which tool is right for my organisation’s needs?
The compendium provides descriptive summaries, use-case match indicators and maturity-level filters (e.g., beginner vs advanced) to help organisations assess what fits their profile. Additionally, you can access filters by domain, budget and provider type to shortlist relevant options.
9. Can I share the compendium with other organisations or collaborators?
Yes the compendium is designed as a shared resource for the social sector. You’re encouraged to share the link with partner organisations, teams and peer networks, with appropriate attribution.
10. Is there support or training available for using the tools listed in the compendium?
Where possible, the listings include links to training, implementation guides, and provider resources. While DT4SI does not provide direct training for every tool, it acts as a gateway to implementation-support content.
Feedback, Submission & Updates
11. How do I submit feedback or suggest new tools or service-providers for inclusion?
You can submit suggestions via the “Help/Feedback” button on the compendium page, or by emailing the DT4SI team with tool-details, use-case description and organisation profile.
12. What is the review process for suggested tools / providers and how long until they are included?
Suggested entries undergo review by the DT4SI editorial team criteria include relevance, usability for nonprofits, budget alignment and verification of provider credentials. Inclusion timelines vary (typically 2–4 weeks).
13. What happens when a tool or provider becomes obsolete or is no longer supported?
The compendium maintains version control and retired tools are archived with status updates; users are redirected to alternative options or notified via update announcements.
Legal, Liability & Terms
14. Is the compendium professional advice and what is its liability status?
The information in the compendium is provided as a community resource and not as professional advice or recommendation. The India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS) and Koita Foundation assume no liability for decisions made based on the compendium.
15. How is data privacy handled for tools listed, is there a guarantee of compliance or security?
While DT4SI features tools across domains including data-privacy and cybersecurity, inclusion does not constitute accreditation. Organisations must perform their own due diligence on compliance, vendor contracts and data-security standards.
The information provided here is created as a community resource and is not intended as professional advice or a recommendation by ILSS or Koita Foundation. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, we do not take responsibility for any errors or omissions. Users should use their own discretion before making any decisions based on this information. ILSS or Koita Foundation assume no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.