Using Data to Tell Your Nonprofit Story

Pleasant Valley Land Trust (PVLT), a fictional nonprofit dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Pleasant Valley region, faced a challenge familiar to many organizations in their sector: how to effectively communicate the impact of their conservation efforts. They knew they were making a difference, but translating that impact into a compelling story that resonated with donors and stakeholders was proving difficult.

The Challenge: Beyond Acres Saved

PVLT diligently tracked acres conserved, volunteer hours logged, and educational programs conducted. But simply presenting these numbers wasn’t enough to paint a complete picture of their work. They needed a way to connect these data points to their core mission: safeguarding the Pleasant Valley’s natural heritage for future generations.

The Solution: Salesforce Analytics tools

PVLT used core Salesforce reports and dashboards to transform their raw nonprofit data into a vibrant story of conservation success. Here’s how they did it:

1. Mapping the Impact: They used Salesforce data to create interactive maps that illustrated the scope of their preservation efforts. These maps showcased the diverse ecosystems protected, from lush forests and rolling grasslands to vital waterways. Donors could literally see the impact of their contributions.
2. Showcasing Biodiversity: PVLT tracked the species observed on their protected lands. Salesforce dashboards brought this data to life, highlighting the positive impact of their work on the region’s biodiversity. Charts displayed the increasing numbers of native birds, the return of species, and the flourishing of rare plants.
3. Measuring Community Engagement: PVLT used Salesforce to track participation in their educational programs, volunteer activities, and community events. This data allowed them to demonstrate the growing community support for their mission and quantify the reach of their educational initiatives.
4. Telling the Story of a Restored Watershed: PVLT launched a major initiative to restore a degraded watershed within the Pleasant Valley. Using Salesforce, they tracked progress over time, documenting improvements in water quality, the return of native fish populations, and the restoration of riparian habitat. This data-driven narrative powerfully demonstrated the tangible benefits of their conservation work.

For more ideas and how-to’s for building dashboards in Salesforce, check out our article Salesforce Dashboards and the Nonprofit Stories They Tell.

The Results: Deeper Connections, Increased Support

Salesforce allowed PVLT to transform data they were already compiling into a compelling nonprofit story that resonated with their audience. In the end, they were able to:

• Increase donor engagement: Donors felt more connected to the organization’s mission when they could see the direct impact of their contributions.
• Strengthen grant proposals: Data-driven narratives provided compelling evidence of PVLT’s effectiveness, leading to increased grant funding.
• Boost community support: Visualizations and success stories helped rally community members around conservation efforts.

Connect Numbers to Your Mission

If your organization struggles connecting numbers to your mission, talk to us! PVLT is a fictional land trust, but BackOffice Thinking works with real nonprofits every day to help them succeed. Email support or contact us to discover how we can help you tell your mission’s story more effectively.