Data sharing agreements are legal documents that outline the process of sharing data between two or more parties. In the world of charities, data sharing agreements are essential for promoting transparency and accountability while ensuring that sensitive information is protected.
If your charity is looking to share data with another organization, it`s important to have a solid data sharing agreement in place. Here, we`ll go over the basics of data sharing agreements for charities and provide a template to help you get started.
Why Charities Need Data Sharing Agreements
Charities collect and process a lot of sensitive information, such as donor information, volunteer data, and beneficiary details. Sharing this information with other organizations can help promote collaboration and improve outcomes, but it also comes with risks.
Without a data sharing agreement in place, your charity could be at risk of violating data protection laws or unintentionally sharing sensitive information. A data sharing agreement can help mitigate these risks by outlining responsibilities, expectations, and safeguards for all parties involved.
What to Include in a Data Sharing Agreement
A data sharing agreement should be tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of your charity. However, there are several key elements that should be included in any agreement:
1. Purpose: Clearly outline the purpose of the data sharing arrangement, including what data will be shared, how it will be used, and who will be responsible for managing and protecting the data.
2. Confidentiality: Specify how confidential information will be protected, including any encryption or security measures that will be in place.
3. Data Access: Define who will have access to the shared data and under what circumstances.
4. Data Removal: Specify how and when data will be removed or destroyed, and who will be responsible for doing so.
5. Legal Compliance: Ensure that the agreement complies with relevant data protection laws and regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA.
Data Sharing Agreement Template for Charities
Here`s a template to help you get started with creating a data sharing agreement for your charity:
[Charity Name] Data Sharing Agreement
This agreement is entered into between [Charity Name] (“Charity”) and [Organization Name] (“Organization”).
Purpose: The purpose of this agreement is to facilitate the sharing of data between Charity and Organization. The data shared will be used for [insert purpose].
Confidentiality: All shared data will be considered confidential and will not be disclosed to any third parties without the prior written consent of the other party. Both parties will implement appropriate measures to protect the confidentiality of the data shared.
Data Access: Only authorized individuals from Charity and Organization will have access to the shared data. Access to the shared data will be granted on a need-to-know basis.
Data Removal: The shared data will be removed or destroyed in accordance with the data retention policy of the respective organizations. In the event that one party no longer requires the shared data, it will be deleted or returned to the other party.
Legal Compliance: This agreement complies with all relevant data protection laws and regulations, including [insert relevant laws and regulations].
Term and Termination: This agreement will remain in effect until terminated by either party. Either party may terminate this agreement by providing written notice to the other party.
Signed:
[Charity Name]
[Organization Name]
Conclusion
Data sharing agreements are an important tool for charities that want to collaborate and share information while protecting the privacy of their donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries. By following the template provided here, your charity can create a data sharing agreement that meets your specific needs and promotes accountability and transparency.
