Grants for Nonprofit Organizations

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Collecting and Reporting on Data

Collecting and Reporting on Data: Learn how your nonprofit can be more data-driven in your operations.*

Written by: Kevin Lo on May 8, 2012

What Is Data?

As we digitize our operations more, we collect more data. Data can be something as basic as the amount of energy your shelter is using, the amount of money you are spending, or the number of women you’ve served in a month. But as our ability to collect more data increases, we must also learn to effectively distill it into information. For example, if you have data showing that you are using more energy in one space than in another, similar-sized space, you might consider auditing the energy use of both spaces. Similarly, while you may know that one shelter serves more women than another, additional data may reveal that it is doing so less efficiently. Learning to think in a data-centric manner will help you achieve your mission better. Although you may think that it’s too much hassle to change the status quo, spending some time to become a data-driven organization will lead to better results.

Storing and Using Data

Your data can, and probably is, everywhere, in every format possible. Your paper files from years ago, videos you took that are still in VHS format, or computer files in a backup drive format that’s no longer even supported. Returning to our earlier example, you almost certainly keep track of how many women come through your doors in a month. Do you keep just paper copies of intake forms? Do you have an intern enter that data into a spreadsheet? Do you then enter that information into a client management database? You are most likely collecting data with all three methods, but they differ in their accessibility and usability for future analysis.

Is Help for Struggling Vets Really Impossible?

vetshealinglogo According to Margaret Stone of President, Veterans Healing Initiative, "there's no doubt that for veterans struggling with substance abuse, getting help can seem all but impossible. The stigma attached to addiction and trauma keeps too many veterans out of treatment -- whether it's the warrior ethos that's been instilled throughout their service or the fear of consequences for admitting they need help."

Instead of just talking about such issues, however, Ms. Stone is taking the initiative to resolve the problem at its core, through services provided by Veterans Healing Initiative: "We're fighting that taboo. We're talking about substance abuse and trauma, challenging the stigma, and helping veterans get the treatment they deserve. We're dedicated to helping veterans access treatment for addiction and the trauma and the chronic pain issues that often accompany this disease. As a nonprofit, VHI raises funds so those veterans who would otherwise go without care can receive treatment."

Go here to read more, weigh-in with your thoughts below, and "Like" the organization on Facebook here.

One-Half of Both College Freshmen and Household Residents Believe Marijuana should be Legalized

Graph One-Half of Both College Freshmen and Household Residents Believe Marijuana should be Legalized

According to a report conducted by University of Maryland, College Park (Cesar FAX, "A Weekly FAX from the Center for Substance Abuse Research" May 14, 2012 Vol. 21, Issue 19):

"One-half of both college freshmen and adult household residents in the believe that marijuana should be legalized, following a decade of increased support among both populations. In 2011, 49% of college freshmen reported that they though marijuana should be legalized, a percentage not seen since the record high of 51% in 1977. At that time, support by household residents for marijuana legalization was much lower, ranging from 15% to 28% during the 1970s. Since then, the percentage of household residents who think that marijuana should be legalized has increased, reaching a record high of 50% in 2011."*

*SOURCES: Adapted by CESAR from data from the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI), CIRP Freshmen Survey (available online at www.heri.ucla.edu); and Gallup, “Record-High 50% of Americans Favor Legalizing Marijuana Use,” Press Release, October 17, 2011. The complete report is available online here.

What do you think - should marijuana be legalized? Make your voice heard by sounding in below!

News from the Division of Grants Administration

TEA Logo The Texas Education Agency (TEA) Grant Resources has an updated announcement for the 2011–2012 Title VI, Part B Rural and Low-Income School Program Grant Application.

Reallocation amounts for the 2011–2012 Title VI, Part B Rural and Low-Income School Program grant were made available on February 13, 2012, per the Division of Grants Administration Federal Entitlements. Grantees must start an amendment in eGrants to budget for their reallocation amount. Once the amendment has been initiated, any 2010–2011 carryover (i.e., roll-forward) will appear in the Actual Carryover line and will also be available to budget.

Amendments: The deadline to amend for reallocation and carryover is 5:00 p.m. Central Time, June 1, 2012. If you are a current grantee, please refer to the 2011–2012 eGrants Schedule of Instructions for the Title VI, Part B Rural and Low-Income School Program grant, pages 9–13, for information for additional information regarding amendments.

If you need assistance in submitting your amendment for this program, please call 865.249.6311 or email us here.