Business Intelligence, Key Performance Indicators and Reporting for Nonprofits

Nonprofits walk a thin line when it comes to overseeing their operations. They are expected to manage their finances like a for-profit entity, but can run afoul of their mission if they are too effective in doing their jobs. The key to optimizing effectiveness can be found though the use of business intelligence software.

• Real-time visibility into your organization’s financial health? 
• The ability to leverage data for better decision-making? 
• Provide instant, actionable insight for key stakeholders?

Nonprofits can utilize the right BI tool to examine:

• If they are tracking the right trends for monitoring growth, revenue and profitability
• Which programs and channels account for the most revenue
• What types of people are most drawn to the cause and are likely to provide sustainable support
• What succeeds in attracting younger donors and can they be converted into advocates
• Which communications channels are associated with the likeliness of giving

Recognizing the Right Solution for Your Nonprofits

The first criteria for a good system is that when it comes to designing reports, it is user-friendly–not challenging to operate the system or requiring help from the IT team. End-users should be able to create their own reports, using an at-a-glance dashboard for overviews yet have the capability to do a deep dive.

Web-based solutions, with cloud computing are particularly effective when decision makers are volunteering their time and expertise to help manage an organization.  Another benefit of cloud-computing is that it fosters collaboration and keeps analysis on point through real-time access to data. This data is typically pulled from a variety of sources for integrated reporting—whether it involves human resources or membership information.

A good reporting system, therefore, provides nonprofit organizations greater flexibility, streamlined budget and planning process, improved transparency, and better strategic insight.

Contact us to learn more about business intelligence software for nonprofits