New IDEA learning series helps nonprofits tell their impact story
“We know our impact, but how do we move others to see it too?” I hear this question often in my role as coordinator of the Impact, Data and Evaluation Academy.
Data are everywhere in today’s world, and nonprofits are no exception. Yet making sense of it—deciding what data matters, how to use it, and how to communicate it to the right audience—can feel overwhelming. Turning numbers into persuasion is as much an art as it is a technical skill.
This spring, a new three-part learning series is designed to bridge that gap. The Art of Data Storytelling helps nonprofits move from raw numbers to clear, compelling stories that support decision-making and demonstrate impact. Bringing together practitioners, writers, and visualization experts, the series offers a practical, end-to-end approach to using data with purpose. Participants can attend a single workshop or complete all three to follow a full storytelling arc—from identifying the right data, to crafting persuasive narratives, to creating visuals that resonate.
Curious how this series can support your work? Check out the descriptions below, and join our introductory webinar on February 19 from 1-2 p.m. for a brief overview of the workshops, examples of what you’ll learn, and guidance on which sessions may be the best fit for your organization.
Finding the Right Numbers: A Practical Workshop on Identifying Reliable and Relevant Data
Date: March 5, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Trainer: Travis Mayo, Housing Collaborative | Location: The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City
Organizations that collect reliable, relevant data are better positioned to communicate their impact with confidence, make deliberate choices about thedata worth investing in, and build staff capacity to use data in meaningful ways. This interactive workshop equips nonprofit practitioners with a practical framework for identifying and using data that directly supports program management and impact communication. Participants will learn how to assess data quality, connect data to the questions they are trying to answer, and prioritize evidence that supports decision-making. Designed for nonprofit practitioners at all experience levels; no formal data training is required.
Strategic Narratives: Crafting Data-Driven Grant Proposals
Date: March 26, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Trainer: Katie Garahan, Ph.D., UNC Charlotte Writing Resource Center | Location: The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City
With the right numbers in hand, participants will learn how to tailor their organization’s story to grant opportunities. Katie Garahan will provide instruction on persuasive grant writing, followed by hands-on practice in crafting data-driven grant proposals, including guidance on potential uses and limitations of generative AI. Participants may also opt to participate in a post-workshop one-on-one writing support session. By the end, participants will be able to incorporate their organization’s data into a strategic narrative, tailor their unique data story to funders, and apply a storytelling framework to craft persuasive proposals. Recommended for organizations planning to submit a grant within the next year.
Data-driven Stories for Social Impact
Date: April 16, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Trainer: Wenwen Dou, Ph.D., UNC Charlotte College of Computing and Informatics | Location: The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City
Turn your data into compelling visual stories that communicate impact, engage stakeholders, and support strategic decision-making. This hands-on workshop introduces accessible visualization techniques and storytelling frameworks designed specifically for nonprofit teams. Participants will practice creating story-driven visuals, including one-page impact summaries, simple storyboards, and “before/after” visuals that showcase change, with an optional demo of lightweight dashboards using free tools. By the end, participants will be able to apply visual design principles, choose appropriate chart types, build shareable visuals, and develop impact narratives for reports, grant proposals, and presentations. No prior experience required.
By the end of The Art of Data Storytelling, participants will gain more than new skills. They will have a clear, practical approach to deciding what data to collect, how to turn it into meaningful narratives, and how to present it in ways that build confidence and prompt action.
In a sector where impact matters deeply—and resources are always stretched—this series offers nonprofits a chance to ensure their data does what it was always meant to do: tell a story worth hearing.
This article was written with AI assistance.