In today’s data-driven world, nonprofits are increasingly relying on data to demonstrate their impact, improve decision-making, and engage stakeholders. However, raw data in spreadsheets or reports can often appear overwhelming and fail to capture the attention of donors, board members, or other stakeholders. This is where data visualisation comes in. By transforming data into easy-to-understand, visually appealing graphics, nonprofits can more effectively communicate their results, tell their stories, and advocate for their cause.
This article highlights ten data visualisation tools that nonprofits can use to enhance their reporting and showcase their impact. These tools will help your organisation present complex data in an engaging, understandable format, ultimately fostering better engagement and transparency.
1. Tableau
Tableau is one of the most widely used data visualisation tools, known for its powerful analytics and ability to create sophisticated, interactive dashboards. Nonprofits can use Tableau to visualise data from a variety of sources, from fundraising campaigns to programme outcomes, and present them in dynamic, real-time reports.
Key Features:
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface.
- Customisable dashboards for different audiences.
- Integration with various data sources, such as Excel, Google Sheets, and SQL.
Why Nonprofits Love It: Tableau’s visualisation capabilities can bring complex data to life, helping nonprofits to clearly demonstrate their impact and engage donors with interactive reports.
2. Google Data Studio
Google Data Studio is a free tool that allows nonprofits to create detailed, customisable reports and dashboards. With an intuitive interface and seamless integration with other Google products such as Google Analytics and Google Sheets, it’s a cost-effective solution for organisations on a budget.
Key Features:
- Pre-built templates for quick report generation.
- Integration with Google Sheets, Google Analytics, and other platforms.
- Customisable charts and graphs.
Why Nonprofits Love It: As a free tool, Google Data Studio is an excellent option for small to medium-sized nonprofits, offering powerful visualisation capabilities without the associated costs of more premium platforms.
3. Power BI
Power BI by Microsoft is another highly effective data visualisation tool, ideal for organisations that are already using Microsoft products. Power BI enables nonprofits to create interactive, visually appealing reports and dashboards, with real-time data analysis capabilities.
Key Features:
- Integration with Microsoft Excel, Azure, and other Microsoft products.
- Interactive reports and dashboards.
- Cloud-based sharing for easy collaboration.
Why Nonprofits Love It: Nonprofits can leverage their existing Microsoft subscriptions, making Power BI a convenient and affordable choice for organisations looking to enhance their reporting without additional costs.
4. Infogram
Infogram is a user-friendly tool that simplifies the creation of infographics, charts, and reports. With a drag-and-drop editor and a library of templates, nonprofits can quickly design professional-looking visual content that effectively communicates data.
Key Features:
- A wide variety of pre-designed templates.
- Interactive charts, maps, and infographics.
- Cloud-based sharing options.
Why Nonprofits Love It: Infogram’s simplicity makes it an excellent choice for organisations with limited resources or design experience, providing them with an easy way to present data in a visually compelling manner.
5. Zoho Analytics
Zoho Analytics is a powerful business intelligence tool that allows nonprofits to analyse and visualise their data through a variety of charts and graphs. It offers a wide range of customisation options and integrates with popular platforms like Google Sheets, Dropbox, and Salesforce.
Key Features:
- Data blending and integration from multiple sources.
- Customisable reporting and visualisation options.
- Data sharing and collaboration tools.
Why Nonprofits Love It: Zoho Analytics is ideal for nonprofits seeking a versatile tool that can handle large volumes of data and provide detailed insights into their programmes, fundraising, and operations.
6. Qlik Sense
Qlik Sense is an intuitive data visualisation tool that offers powerful analytics and reporting features. It allows nonprofits to create interactive, data-driven reports and dashboards, enabling stakeholders to explore the data in real time.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop interface for easy data visualisation.
- Real-time data updates and exploration.
- Robust reporting capabilities.
Why Nonprofits Love It: Qlik Sense is particularly useful for nonprofits that need to analyse large datasets and provide interactive reports that allow users to explore the data from different perspectives.
7. Canva
While Canva is widely known for its design capabilities, it also offers a variety of tools for creating data-driven visual content. Nonprofits can use Canva to design infographics, social media posts, and reports that incorporate data visualisation elements.
Key Features:
- Pre-designed templates for infographics and reports.
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface.
- Access to millions of photos, icons, and fonts.
Why Nonprofits Love It: Canva’s simplicity and vast library of design resources make it ideal for nonprofits looking to create visually engaging reports and marketing materials without needing advanced design skills.
8. Venngage
Venngage is a web-based tool focused on creating infographics and data visualisations. It offers a range of templates for nonprofits to create infographics, reports, and presentations that help convey their impact in a visually appealing format.
Key Features:
- A library of professionally designed templates.
- Customisable charts, icons, and images.
- Collaboration tools for team-based projects.
Why Nonprofits Love It: Venngage’s infographic-focused platform helps nonprofits present their data in an eye-catching way, making it perfect for sharing impact reports with stakeholders.
9. Datawrapper
Datawrapper is a tool specifically designed for creating simple, clean, and interactive data visualisations. It’s an ideal choice for nonprofits looking to create charts, maps, and tables that can be easily embedded in websites or shared via email.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use chart and map creation tools.
- Responsive design for embedding on websites.
- Integration with Google Sheets for real-time data updates.
Why Nonprofits Love It: Datawrapper’s clean, minimalist design makes it easy for nonprofits to create professional-looking visualisations that communicate their message without unnecessary clutter.
10. Plotly
Plotly is a data visualisation tool that excels at creating interactive, web-based visualisations, particularly for complex datasets. With its wide range of chart types, including 3D charts and geospatial visualisations, it’s a powerful tool for data-driven storytelling.
Key Features:
- Interactive data visualisations, including maps, 3D charts, and graphs.
- Integration with programming languages like Python and R for advanced users.
- Web-based sharing and collaboration options.
Why Nonprofits Love It: Plotly is particularly well-suited for nonprofits working with complex data that requires a higher level of visualisation sophistication. It’s ideal for organisations that want to present data in an interactive, detailed format.
