The data collected by a non-profit is extremely valuable if it can be properly used. Unfortunately, we see non-profits who are not setting this as a high priority and, therefore, wasting data that could be monetized. Here’s why:
- Non-profit organizations don’t set the proper budget allocations to invest in data distribution
- Data distribution, Visualization, and Analytics is not a widely-understood topic
- They trust their assumptions and knowledge more than they trust their data
We want to argue that non-profits need to understand that they live in a data-driven society and need to be a data-centric organization to make the greatest impact. The non-profit that is data-centric will have an advantage with securing funding and growing advocacy over knowledge-centric organizations. Data-centric non-profits share a few common attributes:
- Data-centric non-profits trust their data. They know that they don’t know it all, so they look to their data to validate ideas and decisions. They also know that their supporters’ behaviors change based on social issues, the economy, the political landscape and the list goes on. They trust their data to help guide them.
- Data-centric non-profits use their data as a window into their organization and mission. In other words, they use their data to be transparent. People want proof before they invest their time and/or money into a non-profit. By using their data, they minimize doubt and skepticism and give their leadership confidence to share with authority.
- Data-centric non-profits use their data to craft visual stories of impact. They know that people love to be a part of stories. Through data visualization, these non-profits turn statistic-driven reports into data products that increases financial support.
- Data-centric non-profits partner with data experts who know how to create a clear story out of data chaos. The data expert knows how to dig deep into the data, pull out the most important data while weeding out the data that distracts. The non-profit understands that a partnership is an investment, but an investment that more than pays for itself when they see advocacy, financial, and organizational growth.
If your non-profit does not have a data-centric mindset and see the value in a data-centric investment, you’re sphere of influence will diminish. It is just a matter of time. Don’t underestimate the value of your data. It is the key to organizational growth, influence, and sustainability. Click here to learn more about becoming a data-centric non-profit.