Just 5% of charities are fully ready for GDPR, survey finds

Only five per cent of charities are ready for the new General Data Protection Rules, according to a new survey.

New research from software and services company, Advanced, revealed only five per cent of UK charities are “truly ready” for the roll out.

The survey, which collected data from over 300 companies, found more than three-quarters (76%) of charities admit there is still work to be done before they achieved full compliance.

Furthermore, more than half (56%) of respondents identified consent as the top priority for their GDPR planning, with uncertainty about interpretation of GDPR representing the biggest obstacle to progress (48%).

Commenting on the findings, Advanced managing director, Mark Dewell said it’s “clear there’s still a big appetite for information and advice” about GDPR, especially as it just one month until the legislation comes into force.

“This is both worrying yet unsurprising, given we know that only five per cent feel ready for the regulatory roll out, despite the threat of significant fines for failure to comply,” he said.

Over 300 third sector organisations attended a webinar hosted by Advanced, suggesting a clear focus and keenness amongst charities to implement the steps required to meet GDPR compliance in time for the deadline.

The survey was taken place during the webinar, revealing more than three-quarters (76 per cent) admit there is still work to be done before they achieve full compliance.

“It’s obvious that GDPR remains at the top of the charity sector agenda and although progress has been made, there is still a way to go before many are GDPR ready,” Dewell added.

“Uncertainty around consent and data retention seem to be presenting the biggest worries for the third sector, with many concerned that their potential fundraising totals will be affected.”

    Share Story:

Recent Stories


Charity Times video Q&A: In conversation with Hilda Hayo, CEO of Dementia UK
Charity Times editor, Lauren Weymouth, is joined by Dementia UK CEO, Hilda Hayo to discuss why the charity receives such high workplace satisfaction results, what a positive working culture looks like and the importance of lived experience among staff. The pair talk about challenges facing the charity, the impact felt by the pandemic and how it's striving to overcome obstacles and continue to be a highly impactful organisation for anybody affected by dementia.
Charity Times Awards 2023

Mitigating risk and reducing claims
The cost-of-living crisis is impacting charities in a number of ways, including the risks they take. Endsleigh Insurance’s* senior risk management consultant Scott Crichton joins Charity Times to discuss the ramifications of prioritising certain types of risk over others, the financial implications risk can have if not managed properly, and tips for charities to help manage those risks.

* Coming soon… Howden, the new name for Endsleigh.