In today’s competitive funding landscape, writing a great grant proposal is no longer enough....
Data is more than a compliance checkbox—it’s a powerful tool for storytelling, relationship-building, and securing funding. Donors, especially institutional funders and major givers, want to see more than feel-good stories. They want evidence of impact. But sharing your progress doesn’t have to be buried in spreadsheets or 10-page reports. That’s where visual dashboards come in.
Whether you're tracking grant deliverables or community outcomes, a well-designed dashboard can turn your numbers into a narrative. Here’s how to create visual dashboards that showcase your progress—and strengthen donor trust.
1. Know What Your Donors Actually Want to See
Before diving into charts and colors, ask: What data matters most to our funders? Dashboards aren’t about tracking everything—they’re about showing the right things.
Most donors want to understand:
- Reach – How many people are you serving?
- Impact – What changed for them as a result?
- Efficiency – How effectively are you using their funding?
- Progress – Are you on track with your goals?
Example: If your grant promises to serve 500 youth with after-school programming, your dashboard should highlight enrollment numbers, attendance rates, and pre/post-program survey results—not how many crayons you bought.
Action Step: List your top three funders or funding priorities. Then list the top 3–5 metrics they care about. These become the core of your dashboard.
2. Choose the Right Tools (Start Simple)
You don’t need expensive software to build a strong dashboard. Many nonprofits start with tools they already use:
- Google Sheets or Excel – Use built-in chart features for simple visualizations.
- Google Data Studio (Looker Studio) – A free and powerful tool for interactive dashboards.
- Canva or PowerPoint – Great for static, shareable visual reports.
Action Step: If you’re new to dashboards, start with a simple Excel-based version. Choose one page that includes:
- 2–3 bar or pie charts
- 1 table for numeric progress
- 1 visual showing year-over-year change
3. Use Visuals That Tell a Clear Story
Not all charts are created equal. The best visualizations make it easy for the donor to grasp your progress at a glance.
- Bar charts work well for showing growth over time
- Pie charts are good for percentages or breakdowns (e.g., demographics served)
- Line charts show trends or progression
- Icons or infographics can humanize data (e.g., “1,200 meals served” with a plate icon)
Example: A health nonprofit used a before-and-after line graph to show the increase in clinic visits over the year, layered with a quote from a patient. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data was powerful—and memorable.
Action Step: Use free design sites like Canva to convert your charts into visual snapshots. Always label clearly and avoid overwhelming the viewer with too much text.
4. Make It Shareable and Stakeholder-Friendly
Dashboards don’t belong in a binder on a shelf—they should be living tools you can share in:
- Quarterly donor emails
- Grant progress reports
- Board meetings
- Fundraising decks
- Website impact pages
Example: Embed a live dashboard on your “Impact” page using Looker Studio. It auto-updates with real-time stats from their database, giving donors instant insight into their work.
Action Step: Create a “reporting calendar” and schedule quarterly updates to your dashboard. Use it as a centerpiece for donor communications, campaign updates, or grant renewals.
5. Connect the Dots Between Data and Mission
Data alone won’t inspire action—but data tied to your why will.
Every chart or stat should connect back to your mission. Don’t just show that 85% of participants completed your program—explain what that means. Did they gain new skills? Improve quality of life? Avoid a crisis?
Example: Instead of simply reporting, “300 families served,” one organization added: “300 families now have access to healthy meals each week—reducing food insecurity by 42% in our target neighborhoods.”
Action Step: Pair each key stat in your dashboard with a short sentence about what it means and why it matters.
Bonus: Include a quote or testimonial alongside your visuals to bring the data to life.
Our Final Thoughts
In an age of information overload, nonprofit dashboards are a game-changer. They cut through the noise, spotlight your outcomes, and give donors confidence that their investment is making a difference.
You don’t need a background in data science to build one—you just need the right focus, a few simple tools, and a commitment to telling the full story of your impact.
