How Re-aligning Not-for-Profit Data Strategy Can Accelerate Impact

In today’s increasingly complex world, Not-for-Profit organisations face growing pressure to deliver more with less. Delivering more services, more transparency, and more impact, all while operating within tight budgets and limited resources is a difficult task. Amid these challenges, one thing has become clear, data strategy is a vital asset for creating meaningful change.

Without a clear, aligned Not-for-Profit data strategy, organisations risk missing out on critical insights. These insights could improve services, optimise fundraising, and ultimately better support the people and communities they serve. That’s where Data Strategy consulting services can make a real difference.

The Current State of Data in Not-for-Profits

For many not-for-profit organisations, data holds enormous potential but this potential is often untapped due to structural, cultural, or technological challenges. While the mission remains the driving force, the systems and processes behind it don’t always support a modern, insight-driven approach.

In a recent Simpson Associates Data Strategy webinar for Not-for-Profits, it was discussed that 58% of not-for-profits lack a clearly defined data strategy. This absence means many teams operate with siloed data, inconsistent reporting practices, and limited access to trusted insights. These challenges hinder decision-making and impact measurement.

Common data challenges for the Not-for-Profit sector include:

• Over reliance on spreadsheets: Teams frequently depend on Excel or other manual tools, which are time-consuming and prone to human error.
• Disconnected systems: Data is stored across multiple platforms like CRM systems, finance tools, volunteer databases without a single view of the truth.
• Reactive rather than proactive analytics: Reporting is often retrospective, focusing on past performance rather than driving future strategy.

Not-for-profits that leverage cloud platforms, define governance models, and integrate systems can break free from inefficiencies and align data to their core purpose.

How can Not-for-Profit Data Strategies Fail?

Even with the best intentions, Not-for-Profit data strategies can fall short. Understanding where they commonly go wrong is the first step to building a roadmap that delivers lasting value.

1. Skipping the Foundations

Organisations eager to adopt advanced capabilities like AI, machine learning, or real-time dashboards often do so without addressing fundamental issues such as data integration, security, or quality. A poor foundation leads to inaccurate insights and, ultimately, mistrust in Not-for-Profit data.

2. Lack of Alignment with Organisational Objectives

A Not-for-Profit data strategy must support the core mission of the organisation. Many strategies fail because they’re built in isolation from the wider organisational strategy, becoming an IT or analytics initiative rather than a cross-functional driver of impact.

3. Lack of Ownership and Adaptability

When no one owns the data strategy and the ownership is spread too thin execution becomes fragmented. Without strong data governance frameworks, data quality deteriorates, access becomes inconsistent, and trust in insights diminishes. Many Not-for-Profit data strategies are developed as one-off documents and not treated as living plans. In a dynamic sector, where needs and resources shift quickly, a rigid data strategy becomes outdated and irrelevant.

In the modern world, every business needs a data strategy but not all of them are designed to work. These are just some of the reasons how a data strategy can fall short of reaching it’s desired objectives.

Re-Aligning your Not-for-Profit Data Strategy

After a data strategy has failed and the reasons have been identified, re-alignment is the next step. Re-alignment starts by agreeing on strategic priorities and getting buy-in at each level across the organisation. For many not-for-profit organisations, the original data strategy may have been built around systems or tools rather than the evolving needs of beneficiaries or stakeholders. By stepping back and reassessing the strategy through the lens of mission, people, and impact, organisations can re-centre their efforts and make data a core part of service delivery.

This process of Re-Alignment often involves:

• Revisiting your vision for data and agreeing on your outcomes.
• Understanding the current maturity of your data capability, from infrastructure to culture.
• Prioritising practical, high-impact use cases that demonstrate immediate value.
• Reframing data as a strategic enabler, not just an operational necessity.

British Heart Foundation: A Data Strategy Success Story

The British Heart Foundation (BHF), the UK’s largest independent funder of heart and circulatory research, recognises the crucial role data plays in driving lifesaving initiatives, from digital CPR training to the national defibrillator network. To enhance the impact of its data, BHF partnered with Simpson Associates to build a scalable, secure, and collaborative Data Science Environment using Microsoft Azure and Databricks.

Before this transformation, disconnected data sources were slowing progress, creating inefficiencies, and making it difficult to maintain accuracy. The new platform changed that by enabling real-time collaboration, reducing manual data handling, and improving overall data quality. With greater automation and advanced analytics now embedded into day-to-day operations, BHF is empowered to make timely, data-driven decisions and focus efforts where they can achieve the most impact.

By modernising its data environment, BHF has not only improved internal efficiency but also strengthened its ability to scale support for research, services, and public engagement.

Conclusion

For not-for-profit organisations, aligning data strategy with mission-driven goals is no longer optional, it’s essential. A clear, modern data strategy empowers charities to make informed decisions, measure impact, and unlock the true value of their data. As seen with the British Heart Foundation, the right data foundations can drive efficiency, scalability, and real-world outcomes.

How Simpson Associates can help

Simpson Associates are a Microsoft Solutions Partner and whether you’re just starting your data journey or looking to realign your approach, we offers expert data strategy services to help you harness data for good. Our work with charities and Not-for-Profit is an important part of our business. With the right guidance, you can leverage this effectively to achieve your goals and drive success.

Discover how our skills and specialisations can help you on your data journey. Contact us today for a consultation or reach out to us via our live chat with any questions.