What role can private foundations play in strengthening their grantees’ data capacity? It’s widely known that nonprofit organizations face significant challenges when it comes to data management, analysis, and evaluation. In this episode, we talk with Mandy Drakeford from WindSwell Foundation (formerly AWS Foundation) in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to explore practical strategies funders can use to help nonprofits develop critical data literacy skills.

This episode is great for private foundation professionals, nonprofit leaders, and clean-data advocates. Learn about the key challenges facing nonprofits today, how private foundations can effectively support grantee data capacity building, the benefits of investing in nonprofit data literacy training, practical steps to strengthen evaluation and data management, and more.

W(h)ine About Data is your go-to podcast for turning data complexity into clarity, one glass of wine at a time. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! We release new episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

References:

• Client Dashboard Examples: Public.tableau.com/app/profile/transform.consulting.group/vizzes#!
• Building a Community Indicators Dashboard: TransformConsultingGroup.com/project/building-a-community-indicators-dashboard-for-community-impact-initiatives
• What is a Data-Informed Organization?: TransformConsultingGroup.com/evaluation/what-is-a-data-informed-organization
• How to Develop Data and Evaluation Competencies in Your Staff: TransformConsultingGroup.com/communities/how-to-develop-data-and-evaluation-competencies-in-your-staff
• Our Go-To Sources for Getting Data: TransformConsultingGroup.com/evaluation/update-our-go-to-sources-for-getting-data
• Why You Should Invest in Training Up Nonprofit Leaders: TransformConsultingGroup.com/nonprofit/why-you-should-invest-in-training-up-nonprofit-leaders
• WindSwell.org
• TransformConsultingGroup.com

This episode features Amanda Lopez and Mandy Drakeford – Connect with them on LinkedIn for more insights! Amanda and Mandy are drinking the refreshing Black Razzberry Lacroix

Most nonprofits struggle to create annual reports that people actually want to read. In this episode, host Amanda Lopez talks with TCG’s Communication Manager, Morgan Ellis, about making annual reports that donors, board members, and stakeholders care about. This year is coming to a close, so this is the perfect time to rethink your approach to annual reporting.

Morgan breaks down five things every good annual report needs: knowing your audience, leading with stories instead of data, keeping your mission visible throughout, using clean design with strong visuals, and sharing it everywhere. Learn from Amanda and Morgan as they discuss TCG's own experience creating annual reports.

Don’t let your annual report sit on a shelf. Let it work for you across all your communication channels. Whether this is your first annual report or you're updating an old process, this episode gives you a clear framework for showing what your organization actually accomplishes.

W(h)ine About Data is your go-to podcast for turning data complexity into clarity, one glass of wine at a time. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! We release new episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

References:

• 3 Ways for Nonprofits to Refresh their Annual Report: TransformConsultingGroup.com/project-management/3-ways-for-nonprofits-to-refresh-their-annual-report
• TCG’s Annual Reports through the Years: TransformConsultingGroup.com/about-us/annual-reports
• W(h)ine About Data Podcast Episode 20: Tell Impactful Stories in an Ethical Way: TransformConsultingGroup.com/podcast/episode-20-tell-impactful-stories-in-an-ethical-way

This episode features Amanda Lopez and Morgan Ellis – Connect with them on LinkedIn for more insights! Amanda and Morgan are drinking NOZECO Non-Alcoholic Peach Bellini in this episode!

In this episode, discover three donor database secrets that every seasoned nonprofit fundraising professional is using to increase their annual fundraising results.

Welcome Cathy Gatchel, Chief Development Officer for The Honeywell Foundation in Wabash, Indiana, to this episode of the W(h)ine About Data podcast! Cathy shares her 20 years of fundraising experience and gives us the inside scoop on how nonprofits can improve their overall fundraising strategy.

Here are the three donor database secrets:

1. Donor Profile Management: Keep donor contact information and profiles up-to-date
2. Multi-Channel Communication: Collect all ways of contacting every donor
3. Gift Cycle Tracking: Take detailed notes on where each donor lands in the giving cycle

W(h)ine About Data is your go-to podcast for turning data complexity into clarity, one glass of wine at a time. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! We release new episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

References:

• HoneywellArts.org/honeywell-foundation
• HoneywellArts.org/eagles-theatre
• DowntownWabash.org
• VisitWabashCounty.com
• How Do I Start Fundraising?
• 4 Free Ways to Increase Fundraising

This episode features Amanda Lopez and Cathy Gatchel – Connect with them on LinkedIn for more insights! Amanda and Cathy are drinking “Seaswept” wine by Josh Cellars in this episode!

Rose Johnson returns with our host Amanda Lopez to tackle a major pain point in fundraising: nonprofit fundraising strategies that actually work. Building on Episode 19’s discussion of 2024 giving trends, Rose and Amanda dive deep into why so many organizations chase the wrong donors, tell weak stories, and drop the ball on follow-up. Bottom line: Smart data strategies can transform your fundraising game.

Learn why targeting the wrong donors is costing your organization time and money. Take away the 3 critical fundraising mistakes that kill donor relationships. Understand how to audit your donor database and why it matters more than you think. Take notes on the key metrics that actually predict fundraising success. Plus, learn how to leverage your board, volunteers and other brand champions as assets for meaningful donor relationships.

W(h)ine About Data is your go-to podcast for turning data complexity into clarity, one conversation at a time.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! We release new episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month.

Learn more about TCG and explore other client stories at www.transformconsultinggroup.com.

References:

• Episode 19: Charitable Giving Trends from 2024 https://www.transformconsultinggroup.com/podcast/episode-19-charitable-giving-trends-from-2024/
• Episode 20: Tell Impactful Stories in an Ethical Way https://www.transformconsultinggroup.com/podcast/episode-20-tell-impactful-stories-in-an-ethical-way/
• Online Toolkit: https://www.transformconsultinggroup.com/education/online-toolkit-for-early-childhood-donors/
• Board Development: https://www.transformconsultinggroup.com/board-development/10-ways-to-include-board-members-in-fundraising/
• Fundraising Strategies - Increase Funds: https://www.transformconsultinggroup.com/fundraising-strategies/4-free-ways-increase-fundraising/
• Fundraising Strategies - Board Involvement: https://www.transformconsultinggroup.com/fundraising-strategies/how-to-get-your-board-involved-in-fundraising/

[LINK] Watch this episode on YouTube!

Follow TCG on Facebook and LinkedIn.

This episode features Amanda Lopez and Rose Johnson! Connect with them on LinkedIn for more insights!

Amanda and Rose are drinking ElementAL Wine’s pinot grigio in this episode!

In this episode, we're joined by Carey Services President and CEO Jim Allbaugh to discuss his rural nonprofit organization's impact in the community of Marion, Indiana. Carey Services is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities turn abilities into opportunities.

Carey Services hired Transform Consulting Group to complete a research study informing the development of transportation solutions to support their clients' ability to work and engage in the community, while also meeting broader transportation needs for local residents and employers.

Jim shares how his team uses data strategically to demonstrate why organizations like Carey Services play such a critical role in empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence. We explore how data storytelling can amplify the impact of mission-driven work.

W(h)ine About Data is your go-to podcast for turning data complexity into clarity, one conversation at a time.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! We release new episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month.

Learn more about TCG and explore other client stories at www.transformconsultinggroup.com.

References:

• https://www.careyservices.com/
• https://www.transformconsultinggroup.com/project/transportation-study-findings-for-rural-community/

[LINK] Watch this episode on YouTube!

Follow TCG on Facebook and LinkedIn.

This episode features Amanda Lopez and Jim Allbaugh! Connect with them on LinkedIn for more insights!

Amanda and Jim are drinking TÖST Original non-alcoholic wine in this episode!

Our very own Senior Project Consultant Rose Johnson returns with TCG President Amanda Lopez to provide expert insights on charitable giving trends and how your nonprofit can use them to its advantage in 2025.

Rose and Amanda discuss the latest Giving USA Report – covering charitable giving trends from 2024 – and share helpful transformer tips to build up diversified funding streams for your nonprofit organization!

Key Takeaways in Episode 19:

• Inflation may have increased in 2024 but individual giving remained strong, which is expected to continue in 2025

• Never underestimate the power of the “Engine on Individual Donors”
• Stretch your funding streams beyond grants and corporate gifts to avoid instability – strengthen your individual giving program for financial stability
• Don’t make assumptions or decisions for your donors
• Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) should be on your radar if they aren’t already
• Use the Giving USA 2024 report and compare funding streams mentioned to your organization’s funding streams

Learn more about TCG, what we do, and other client examples here: https://www.transformconsultinggroup.com/

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This episode features Amanda Lopez & Rose Johnson. Connect with them on LinkedIn for more insights!