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Dear Reader,


I led a conversation recently with two professionals in the social sector – Makisha Boothe, CEO of SistahBiz, a nonprofit partner, and Art Garcia, Strategic Learning and Evaluation Officer of Kresge Foundation. We discussed how funders and nonprofits can better support one another, specifically as it relates to data needs.

Nonprofits in the social sector are using data in many ways. They need data to inform operations, quality of programming and to report to funders. In many cases, nonprofits have several funders that are requiring different information for each report. This can make data overwhelming and burdensome, not only on the nonprofit staff but also on individuals in the communities they serve. This causes a nonprofit to make choices about which data is collected, when and how often, which often leads to funder data needs being prioritized over nonprofit data needs that could be used for learning and program improvement.

H
ow do we change the way we operate to better serve nonprofits and reduce the need to collect data that is not meaningful and simply used to report to funders?

The Nonprofit Perspective – Makisha, CEO of Sistahbiz:
  • Focus on the data practices that are essential. At Sistahbiz, Makisha has a strong data practice. She is collecting data needed to strengthen her operations and her programs, and she is selective when seeking funding. If a funder’s data needs do not align with what she is currently collecting to drive her mission, she will pass on the funding opportunity. It keeps her focused on the essential work.
  • Create alignment between existing data practices and funder requests. Makisha mentioned how funders could collaborate with grantees to better understand what data is already being collected, and how that informs the impact strategy and mission of the organization. This could alleviate the need to collect new data to meet funders' needs.
  • Understand the burden of data practices that don’t integrate. If new data needs to be collected, this will require an investment of time and resources for nonprofits. In many cases, there are multiple systems used to input information. It’s a frustrating process that makes data the enemy. It’s hard to sustain a culture of learning and encourage data use when it becomes overwhelming and burdensome for all parties involved.

The Funders Perspective – Art, Strategic Learning and Evaluation Officer at­­­ the Kresge Foundation:
  • Listen to grantees. The Kresge Foundation recognizes the importance of funders needing to center around relationships first, which starts by listening. Listen and get to know the grantees and the communities in which they serve. Center the conversations around their needs, and what’s important to them for their success.
  • Unlearn traditional data practices and incorporate those that are more equitable. Art mentioned that foundations should do the work beforehand to understand the historical context in communities, determine what data is culturally appropriate to collect, and unlearn the traditional ways of evaluation that have caused harm. We need to think of more equitable practices that better serve nonprofit data needs.

Overall, this was a great conversation that was exciting to lead, but it’s just the start. We need to continue the conversation, equip nonprofits with the confidence and information needed to focus on data that best serves them. We need to work with funders to shift the way they operate and center on nonprofit and community needs first.

We're inviting funders and grantmakers to continue the conversation towards meaningful change. Join us this Wednesday (registration open to grantmakers/funders only) for another conversation with Grantmakers for Effective Organizations!



We’re all on a journey,






Founder & CEO
November Resources
 
 
READING
  • Four Ways To Become The Kind Of Leader Philanthropy Needs: “one key lesson should always hold: If you want to support change, learn from the people most impacted and give up some control. Ask them what they need to make change, and then give them the means to do it.”
  • We Need a New Definition of Effectiveness: “Nonprofits deemed “effective” are often those most skilled at navigating the thicket of hurdles, requirements and processes put in place by philanthropy.... Acknowledging this dynamic, some dominant culture foundations are recognizing the need to correct course and invite grantees and community members to define effectiveness.”
WATCHING & LISTENING
  • Panel discussion: Shifting Perspective – Reinventing Impact Measurement with Nonprofits: Conversation on how we can reimagine the relationship between nonprofits and funders to better meet nonprofit needs and strengthen impact measurement practices. You’ll hear from Arturo Garcia, The Kresge Foundation’s Strategic Learning and Evaluation Officer and Makisha Boothe, Sistahbiz Global Network’s Founder – two organization on a journey to leverage data to better serve their communities.

Announcement  
 
 
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ResultsLab is a woman-owned social enterprise that propels organizations, communities, and networks to the next level of impact through quality design and effective use of data. We are reinventing impact management by providing strategic design and capacity building for data informed decision-making to organizations and networks that exist to drive change for our communities.


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