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Counting Bubbles
A sometimes insightful, sometimes sassy blog about nonprofits, data management, and building a better future. Opinions expressed are our own...and they are based on indisputable facts.
Different Ways Nonprofits Can Think About Data
Identify Your Nonprofit's Data Point of View Most nonprofits collect data of some kind, either because you have to or because you want...
Ryan Brooks
Dec 6, 202211 min read
Nonprofit Data Strengths, Challenges, and Obstacles
Why Some Nonprofits Excel with Data and Others Don't Over the past couple of months, I've spoken with staff at numerous nonprofits across...
Ryan Brooks
Nov 18, 20225 min read
Measuring Nonprofit Success is Hard Part 2: How To Compare Pre- and Post-Program Data
How to Measure Nonprofit Success: Comparing Pre- and Post-Program Data It can be difficult for human service nonprofits to show that your...
Ryan Brooks
Nov 9, 20228 min read
Ten Tips for Creating Great Surveys
Surveys are an important data collection tool used that nonprofits and other organizations can use get a pulse on the satisfaction,...
Anne McDaniel
Oct 24, 20229 min read
3 Ways Nonprofits Can Use Demographics to Improve Outcomes
Analyzing Demographics for Better Nonprofit Outcomes If you run a social services nonprofit, then you probably already collect...
Ryan Brooks
Oct 18, 20229 min read
What Makes a Good Scorecard and 4 Reasons Why your Nonprofit Needs One
Understanding the Importance of Scorecards for Nonprofits: 4 Reasons to Implement One Have you ever gone through a lengthy strategic...
Anne McDaniel
Oct 4, 20225 min read
Nonprofits Metrics are Important, but Remember to Tell Stories
Balancing Data and Narrative: The Importance of Storytelling for Nonprofit Impact Maybe you’ve been here before...You’re at the annual...
Ryan Brooks
Sep 26, 20224 min read
Picking the Right Number to Tell Your Nonprofit's Story: Go Big or Go Deep?
Choosing the Right Metrics to Impress Your Donors Generous Donor: Our donation could pay for daycare for 20 toddlers or it could pay for...
Ryan Brooks
Sep 20, 20225 min read
Measuring Nonprofit Success is Hard. Part 1
Success rates and cost per outcome are two simple measures to improve your understanding of your nonprofit's success.
Ryan Brooks
Sep 12, 20224 min read
Does My Nonprofit Need Case Management Software?
When Is Data Management Software Worth It for My Human Service Nonprofit? If you’re thinking about getting new software to manage your...
Ryan Brooks
Sep 5, 20227 min read
Demographics. What are They Good For? Absolutely Something.
Why Demographic Data is Critical to Nonprofit Success When I think about demographics, my mind jumps to the standard US Census fields:...
Ryan Brooks
Aug 29, 20224 min read
Presenting to Your Board: Four Tips on Making an Impact
Effectively Present to Your Nonprofit Board of Directors You know the cycle... whether it’s monthly, quarterly or semi-annually… you have...
Anne McDaniel
Aug 22, 20224 min read
Nonprofit Data Collection Basics
Essential Data Every Nonprofit Should Collect Nonprofits are rightly compelled to measure and share their work with the public. ...
Ryan Brooks
Aug 16, 20224 min read
Don’t Let Data Eat Culture for Lunch: Balancing Data Needs with Service Delivery Experience
Can Nonprofits Collect Too Much Data? Yes! Nonprofits can collect too much data, data that's never used, data that sits in a digital...
Ryan Brooks
Aug 14, 20224 min read
Minimum Requirements for Human Service Case Management Software
How to pick case management software for your nonprofit Human Services nonprofits have numerous options for collecting case management...
Ryan Brooks
Aug 8, 20225 min read
We Did WHAT!?!: Nonprofit Data Collection Basics
Essential Data for Every Nonprofit. In a hurry? Read Nonprofit Data Collection Basics (2- Minute Guide) . Nonprofits are rightly...
Ryan Brooks
Aug 1, 20224 min read
Why Build countbubble? In 157 words
My first job in my early 20s was at a small but mighty nonprofit in the Bronx. I helped implement a new data management system. We...
Ryan Brooks
Jul 21, 20221 min read
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