49 Thoughts About Fundraising Data

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Data = vital statistics

2. Data is a beginning

3. "Data-driven" is rare

4. "Data-informed" is hard to achieve

You'll never have enough data, and even if you think you are getting enough, then data-paralysis becomes a real risk.

5. "Data-inspired" is where you should live

Just as much as your data should help you answer questions it should prompt new questions.

6. Domain knowledge matters

It's not everything, but having non-profit domain knowledge gives you a leg up on those who don't

7. Data is just characters until you know where it comes from

Not all data is created equal. You shouldn't give credence to anyone's data until you have a sense of collection and method

8. Donors won't care about your need for data

Feel you need to ask donors 50 questions before they can make a credit card gift? Forget it. You'll just alienate them. They don't understand why you want it and don't care if they deny it. They just want to give you money and go on with their day.

9. Donors still want you to protect their data

Whatever they do put in front of you, it's theirs, not yours. It's on loan and they expect you to keep a grip on it. Does it make sense? Maybe not, but that's the conundrum you need to navigate.

10. Your donors don't think in data terms

Why would they? To them data is vague and abtract. If it carries no weight in their thoughts, they won't understand why you need it. Working in data is great, but you still need to learn to speak the language of donor relations.

11. Data doesn't lie, nor does it tell the truth