Data for nonprofit leaders

About the course

This course has been specifically designed to support senior nonprofit leaders, board members, and CEOs to show you how to harness the full strategic potential of data for your organisation.

Taking a big picture view, it will cover the practical and technical aspects of how to lead your organisation’s journey to improved data maturity, including how to build the skills and culture of your team, and define your next steps.

What will you gain from the course?

Each 2 hour session will build on your knowledge, confidence and understanding of organisational data maturity. The course will be run completely online over 5 weeks. You will work alongside a cohort of up to 12 other senior leaders and be encouraged to network with each other to provide ongoing support and connection beyond the scope of the course.

The course will:

• Enable you to get a grip on what you need to know about data for your organisation as a leader, and start the process of making data work for your cause.

• Help you understand the jargon and enable you to lead better conversations about all aspects of data within your organisation.

• Ensure you understand the relationship between data and digital.

• Ensure you can demonstrate the leadership behaviours that will lead to improved use of data in your organisation.

• Enable you to understand the different areas of expertise or different data roles (analysts, engineers, architects, ethics) and identify who you might need on your team.

• Help you prioritise where your resources need to go, and equip you to make better investment decisions around data infrastructure, skills and staffing.

• Create connections with other senior leaders facing similar challenges and access peer support.

Programme details

The course is provided over 5 sessions of 2 hours, all delivered online via Teams. Sessions include mini breaks.

Session 1: Getting the big picture and knowing where to start
Introduction, talk about the course, take a data maturity assessment, data strategy basics, meet/get to know each other and your data challenges, hopes and aspirations.

Session 2: Uses and analysis
This session will provide inspiration about what’s possible in using and analysing data (covering and demystifying topics such as optimisation, predictive/prescriptive analysis, AI, machine learning, and modelling).

Session 3: Data and tools
The slightly techie session (don’t be afraid!). We’ll cover understanding your organisation’s data assets, data journeys (collection, storage, analysis, reporting), the range of tools available, including insights into data science, dashboards, data warehouses and data models.

Session 4: Skills and leadership
Understanding the range of roles and responsibilities around data, getting your board on board (or maybe getting data skills on your board), recruitment/hiring and finding support.

Session 5: Culture and change
The key to it all. We will focus on setting your course for the future and action planning your organisation’s next steps.

How much does it cost?

The full price is £699 plus VAT, with a limited number of early bird tickets available at a discounted price of £499 plus VAT. See course booking pages (below) for details.

About the trainers

• Sian Basker: Sian is our Co-CEO. Sian combines a passion for data with a skill for communication and a drive to build knowledge in the nonprofit sector. She has designed and delivered training materials, courses, events and workshops for over 25 years. More about Sian

• Ben Proctor: Ben is our Innovation Director. He has over 20 years experience as a facilitator and trainer and has designed and delivered specialist training courses for a wide range of organisations including universities, public bodies and nonprofit organisations. More about Ben

Why choose Data Orchard?

Data Orchard CIC has a deep understanding of how data is currently being used in the nonprofit sector. We have been pioneering research on data maturity since 2015, developed the world’s first data maturity framework and assessment for the not for profit sector (which was later used by the UK government to build their own), and publish annual ‘State of the Sector - Data Maturity in the Nonprofit Sector’ reports. We also have a good understanding of the challenges faced by nonprofit sector organisations where resources are tight and need to be deployed carefully.

Our team of data specialists have wide experience in designing training courses and curriculums and delivering effective training for charity, social enterprise, housing and public sector organisations.

In brief

• Early bird: £499+VAT per delegate
  Full price: £699+VAT per delegate

• 2hrs/week x 5 weeks

• For senior nonprofit leaders and CEOs

• Small cohort 6-12 people

• Delivered online

• Peer networking

Upcoming cohort dates:

• April 2024 cohort: 17 April for five weeks ending 15 May. See dates and book now

• September 2024 cohort: 11 September for five weeks ending 09 October. See dates and book now

Book inhouse training

We can deliver this course for a group of senior leaders in your organisation. Talk to us about developing a tailored programme. From £3,500 per course.

what previous course participants say

People who have completed the course said: ‘the content and resources were of high quality’, ‘it was fun and engaging’ and the ‘trainers were skilled in presentation and delivery’. Read more course feedback here.