The Impact Issue #46: Leverage Data to Tell Your Story!

Hey there!

This week’s issue is all about data—but don’t hit delete yet!

Data can be fun, moving beyond simple reporting to tell your story in an engaging way. In this week’s edition, we’ll share expert tips, tech resources, and new grant opportunities you should know about.

Settle in with your coffee and scroll with us.

Welcome to The Impact.

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Pitfalls and Pointers

⚠️ Pitfall: Using Surface-level Data Without Explaining Its Significance

Many nonprofits think it's enough to simply add statistics, quote studies, or insert preliminary numbers within their grant applications.

However, without proper explanation or context, the data will fall flat. You run the risk that your funders won’t understand the data or draw the wrong conclusions.

💡 Pointer: Add Context With Your Data to Show, Tell, and Demonstrate Impact

Don’t just list out data and expect the reader to read your mind. They can’t see the full picture like you do, so you need to guide them along the journey.

How can you do that?

• Make a direct connection between your data and your nonprofit: Make the significance of the data clear and easy to follow with clear connections. Don’t rely on inferences without setting the scene with proper context.
• Be creative in how you approach your data presentation: Photos, graphics, and videos can bring your numbers to life in new ways, helping potential funders visualize the data. Infographics can make data more accessible. If the application instructions allow it, think outside the box with how you present your data.
• Use predictive analytics to demonstrate future sustainability. Integrate predictive analytics to help build your case. This can help funders understand what you are hoping to accomplish and demonstrate the collective impact you can have together.

👉 Check out more tips for transforming your grant data!

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Tech You Should Know

What: Urban Institute Stories, Data Tools, and Blogs

The Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organization that provides research and data that change-makers and decision-makers can use to design effective solutions to meet community needs.

How Grant Writers Can Use It:

• Demonstrate community needs: Leverage data to explain your community's specific needs and support how your programming can help meet them.
• Snag top-notch data visualizations: Check out the data tools for visuals you can integrate into your own reports and applications.
• Inspire new ideas: Browse for stories and articles or search by location. See what local research is being conducted to spark inspiration on how you can help advance it further.

Keep in Mind: The Urban Institute focuses on driving equity and influencing policy change. The topics can be limited, so you may have to think creatively about how to apply the data to your work.

📈 See for yourself how the Urban Institute is bringing research and data to life!

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Expert Perspectives

🏆 Amanda Faye Lipsey on Writing Evidence-based Grants

Many nonprofits are confused about what evidence-based grant writing means. They believe they have to have proof the project will work—when that’s not necessarily the case.

Grant strategist Amanda Faye Lipsey shared with us that evidence-based grant writing simply means using unbiased data to make decisions. But where can you find this data?

Here’s her expert advice:

• Locate relevant peer-reviewed research: Semantic Scholar, PubMed, JSTOR, Embase, Google Scholar, Lexus Nexus Academic, ProQuest Criminal Justice, EBSCO, and Eric can be great resources.
• Integrate studies into your case statement or needs assessment: Randomized controlled trials, cost-benefit analyses, surveys, case studies, and more can help add credibility to your proposals.
• Use preliminary data if you have it: If you’re struggling to find data relevant to your organization, you can also use your own data—even if it’s not finalized. Preliminary data, predictive analytics, and projections can all help strengthen your grant proposals.

⭐ Learn more about how to effectively write evidence-based grants!

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Opportunities Spotlight

📣 Sociological Initiatives Foundation Grant

Who It’s For: Nonprofits focused on advancing equity and equality through policy change

Next Deadline: February 28, 2025

Grant Amount: $15,000 to $25,000

The Details: The Sociological Initiatives Foundation supports research projects that empower social change and promote equality, specifically through policy change. They strive to improve services and systems to expand public knowledge, create new opportunities, challenge injustices, impact policy, and create sustainable social change.

👉 Apply Here!

🎭 Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

Who It’s For: Nonprofits who have a limited amount of funding focused on community programming

Next Deadline: May 10, 2025

Grant Amount: $1,000 to $20,000

The Details: The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation is focused on empowering nonprofits with limited funding and helping them make a big difference in their communities. The foundation focuses on supporting museums, cultural and performing arts, education, environmental protection, and other community-based programs throughout the United States.

👉 Apply Here!

🔍 Explore thousands of other grant opportunities now!

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Networking Nook

💻 Webinar: The Art of Grant Prospecting: A Step-By-Step Workshop

February 19th, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET

Join Jodi Riley, Principal Consultant at Innovant Grants, for a hands-on workshop designed to demystify the process of grant prospecting. In this interactive session, you’ll learn how to:

• Identify the best funding opportunities for your organization
• Navigate grant databases
• Tailor your search to align with funder priorities

Whether you’re new to grant writing or looking to refine your approach, this step-by-step guide will provide you with the tools and strategies to prospect like a pro and maximize your chances of success.

Don’t Miss Out!

✅ Register Now!

💻 Webinar: Taking Excel for Granted

March 27, 2025 | 1 p.m. CT

Join the Grant Professionals Association to help increase your Excel skills. You’ll learn how to make data more accessible, format for improved readability, and use Excel more effectively.

Hurry!

✅ Register Now!

To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.

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In Case You Missed It

📑 eBook: How to Break Free From Grant Spreadsheets: 5 Simple Steps

Grant management spreadsheets are a thing of the past. Learn how to transition to a comprehensive grant management system in this guide. You will even get tips to automate processes to save time.

👉 Download the Guide!

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Using Instrumentl Data to Inform Your Proposals

If you want to learn more about your funders, Instrumentl provides access to Form 990s, allowing you to analyze their past giving history, gain valuable insights from past grantees, and uncover hidden patterns.

This data can inform your application strategies, providing you with a strong foundation to craft winning proposals. 

👉 Try Instrumentl free for 14 days today to check out our funder data!