Navigating the world of data without a full-blown strategy is more common than you might think, especially for busy organizations focused on program delivery. The good news is that you are already implementing a data strategy, even if you haven’t written one down! The key to defining that strategy is to start simply and with intention.
Here’s how you can make meaningful strides in your data practices today, with straightforward examples to guide you.
1. Collect Only Necessary Data
Gather data that directly impacts your mission. This reduces your team’s effort and keeps you from burdening clients with heavy handed data collection practices. It’s also a great safeguard against the trap of excessive data analysis without a clear purpose.
Example: A small environmental nonprofit focused on river conservation decides to collect data on water quality, local biodiversity, and community engagement in conservation efforts. Instead of gathering a broad spectrum of environmental data, they focus on these key areas that directly relate to their mission of improving river ecosystems. This targeted approach helps them allocate resources more effectively and makes their data collection efforts more manageable and impactful.
2. Store and Govern Data Intentionally
Being intentional here means choosing storage solutions that meet your needs for security and scalability, and establishing clear policies for data access, sharing, and retention.
Example: An educational nonprofit adopts a cloud-based CRM system to store data on student engagement and program outcomes. They develop a data governance policy that defines who can access different types of data, how data is to be used within their programs, and the procedures for data deletion or anonymization. This ensures that data is handled responsibly, supporting the nonprofit’s commitment to student privacy and data security.
3. Tell a Clear Story with Your Data
Data storytelling is a powerful tool for communicating your nonprofit’s impact, needs, and successes. By being intentional with how you present your data, you can craft stories that resonate with your audience, whether they’re donors, volunteers, or the communities you serve.
Example: A food bank uses data visualization to show the increase in community food assistance needs over the past year and how their programs have responded. By presenting this data in an engaging, easy-to-understand format, they effectively communicate the urgency of their mission and the tangible difference their work makes, driving home the need for continued support.
4. Ask for Expert Advice When Needed
Whether it’s consulting with data experts, partnering with technology providers, or engaging with peer organizations, getting outside perspectives can help you identify opportunities and challenges you might not have considered.
Example: Recognizing the need to better understand their data’s potential, a nonprofit focused on mental health advocacy reaches out for a free consultation with Data for Humans. This consultation helps them identify key data points they hadn’t been tracking that are directly aligned with their mission. Armed with these insights, they are better positioned to measure their impact and refine their programs.
If you’re looking to make your data work harder for your mission but aren’t sure where to start, Data for Humans can help. Reach out today for a free consultation on your data strategy. Let us show you how to approach your data with intention and turn insights into impact.