India’s rapidly expanding social sector has witnessed a robust annual growth rate of 13% over the past five years, reaching a valuation of INR 23 lakh crore (8.3% of GDP) in FY2023. As the sector scales its impact, there is a parallel rise in stakeholder expectations around effective governance, regulatory compliance, and transparent reporting.
In response to this growing imperative, the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), conducted a comprehensive needs assessment study focused on governance and compliance across Indian Social Purpose Organizations (SPOs). The study identified significant challenges including increased administrative burden, rising operational costs, project implementation delays, and strain on internal personnel capacity.
In response, ISDM has launched the Catalysing Good Governance & Accountability Systems initiative—an integrated effort to strengthen compliance capabilities, embed good governance practices, and build resilient, accountable SPOs equipped to deliver impact at scale.
Anchored in the context of social sector priorities, challenges, and opportunities, this initiative aims to:
This multi-level program is designed for both decision-makers and implementers, addressing the compliance needs of the Board, employees in strategic roles, and those in operational roles. Spread across five modules—Statutory & Regulatory, Financial Management, Fundraising & Donor, Operational, and Ethical Compliance—it also includes a workplace project to apply learning in real-time organisational contexts.
The Occupational Standards Framework is a role-based competency tool developed by ISDM to support the professionalisation and strengthening of the Development Management ecosystem in India. It is a structured approach designed to help development sector organizations define, assess, and strengthen the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required for various roles and functions within the sector. It serves as a roadmap for organizations to build internal capacity, align team competencies with organizational goals, and promote professional development across different levels.
The Compliance Excellence Assessment Tool enables SPOs to assess their compliance health across key functions—finance, fundraising, statutory and regulatory, ethics and operations. Designed for completion by organizational leaders in consultation with department heads, the tool establishes a compliance baseline, midline, and endline that sets clear organizational benchmarks—striving for sector-wide standardization and adoption of good practices.
A platform that consists of tools, processes, aids, checklists, frameworks covering the various types of compliance (Statutory and Regulatory, Donor, Program, Finance), and related organisational policies to support the same. The portal will enable a collaborative space for knowledge curation and sharing and eventually a thriving hub covering the spectrum of compliance and reporting knowledge for all levels within the SPO, including best practices, changes in any governance laws, networks et al.
These are part of our efforts to build sector-wide capacities in compliance and governance. They are designed as case-led, peer-learning sessions featuring sector practitioners and domain experts.
Why should SPOs engage their leadership, mid management, and entry level associates in this program?
Build individual and institutional compliance practices, embedding them throughout the organisation.
Foster good governance, allowing the organisation to focus on its mission and drive positive transformation.
Access a resource pool of compliance professionals for expert guidance and support.
Utilise a comprehensive knowledge repository with tools and resources to stay proactive in navigating the complex regulatory landscape.
Equip teams with the skills to maintain ongoing compliance and adapt to evolving regulations.
The Multi- level Certification program in SPO Compliance for Good Governance and Accountability is targeted towards the entire hierarchy of a Social Purpose Organisation (SPO), including:
Our aim is to make the entire SPO compliance-ready by building a strong understanding of compliance across all levels of the organisation.
To address the unique roles, responsibilities, and learning needs at each level, the program is specially tailored for each group consisting of the following broad topics :
Enable learners to ensure statutory and regulatory compliance requirements by implementing governance frameworks to proactively manage and mitigate risks.
Build stakeholder trust through compliant and ethical fundraising practices to ensure transparency and sustainability.
Manage financial operations and ensure compliance by assessing risks and managing audits for accountability and good governance
Develop a compliance-first culture across strategic operations, fostering ethical decision-making and accountability at all leadership levels
Develop compliance frameworks that integrate ethical responsibility, promoting environmental sustainability and social impact
The next Certification Program in Strategic Compliance for Senior Leadership and Founders is scheduled from 20th September 2025 to 25th October 2025. To register for the upcoming cohort, Click Here.
The Certification Programs for implementers, advisors and board members will be announced soon.
*The Pilot Certification Program in Strategic Compliance for Senior Leadership and Founders was conducted from 26th April 2025 to 25th May 2025.
This tool enables SPOs to assess their compliance health across key functions—finance, fundraising, statutory and regulatory, ethics and operations.
This is a role-based competency tool developed by ISDM to help development sector organizations define, assess, and strengthen the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for various roles and functions within the sector.
Q&A:
1. CSR Funding for NGOs – Compliance & Collaboration
2. Grant Management & Donor Reporting Best Practices
3. Strengthening Internal Financial Controls & Preventing Mismanagement - 25th July 2025
4. Understanding Legal & Regulatory Compliance for NGOs - 29th Aug 2025
5. Taxation & Statutory Compliance: Navigating tax regulations for NGOs - 26th Sept 2025
President & Co-Founder, Kachi Sadak Foundation
I am so very thankful — not only from the Kachi Sadak Foundation perspective, but also because I think we are becoming a growing country of networks. Grassroots networks can easily shoot from the soil, and seeing all grassroots organizations participate in this cohort fills my heart with joy. ISDM has been able to truly extend that knowledge to grassroots-level organizations. I guess it is only going to get amplified when Level 2 and Level 1 courses also start. The young people who have a lot of passion and sometimes grief or misdirected career ambition — will find great value in this course.
Co-Founder, Earthaat Foundation
I always say, "The more I know, the more I know how little I know." So, I’m feeling extremely grateful. I would be very willing to share the information about this program with future cohorts. the insights which I gained from people apart from ISDM were also very good. The faculty members were the masters of their field. They knew the pain points. They knew the solutions. The quality of faculty was extremely good. So, it was a very thoughtful program which was much needed, actually, in our sector. Because we work in fragmented silos. So, it was very good from my side.
Director, Reaching Sky Foundation
The course was very deep, and required a lot of time. The way ISDM has organised it is commendable.
Lead, LMES Foundation
Thank you for your value and excellent content. This program covered immense value, organisational aspects, and all aspects of compliance. We came in with many doubts across different areas, and this session clarified as much as possible. We now feel that we have a truly strong foundation to effectively maintain our compliance standards. It's about building a robust system that genuinely helps our organization grow through responsible progress. It was very interactive and engaging.
Managing Director, ADECOM Network
Sincerely appreciate the thoughtful design, engaging delivery, and high-quality facilitation of the program. The interactive approach and the commitment of the resource team made the learning experience both meaningful and practical.
Accounts Head, Kishalay Foundation
My overall experience has been positive. The journey has contributed to a more ethical work environment and has enhanced our readiness for external evaluations, audits, and CSR/FCRA compliance.
A Capacity Needs Assessment on Governance and Compliance for Indian SPOs
Cohort 1 Overview