Using Data and Evaluation to Strengthen Resilience, Navigate Change, and Build Power

In a world of shifting policies, funding uncertainties, and evolving community needs, nonprofits can’t afford to treat data as just another compliance task. Data should be a tool for resilience, learning, and advocacy—helping organizations anticipate change, adapt in real-time, and drive impact.

At Viking Impact Advisors, we believe evaluation should work for you—not just for funders or reports. That’s why we created the RIGHT Evaluation Audit Framework, a simple, practical way to assess and improve your data practices and strengthen resilience.
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Beyond Compliance: Using Data for Resilience, Learning, and Advocacy

Too often, nonprofits fall into compliance-driven data collection:
📊 Gathering numbers to check funder boxes.
📑 Reporting outcomes without using them to drive strategy.
📉 Treating evaluation as an afterthought rather than an active tool.

But when used strategically, data can help you:
✅ Strengthen resilience by preparing for funding shifts, policy changes, and emerging needs.
✅ Adapt programs in real-time based on what’s working (and what’s not).
✅ Amplify impact by using data to advocate for funding, policy change, and community needs.

Example: Using Data for Adaptive Learning

A workforce nonprofit noticed rising drop-off rates among participants. Instead of just reporting the numbers, they:
📊 Used data to identify the trend (completion rates dropped from 80% to 55%).
🎤 Conducted interviews to understand why (childcare barriers).
🔄 Adjusted program design—adding stipends and rescheduling classes.
📈 Result? Completion rates rebounded to 80% within one cohort.

This is how data drives impact—not just paperwork.
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The RIGHT Evaluation Framework: A Practical Tool for Change

To make data work for you, we developed the RIGHT Framework, which helps organizations assess whether their evaluation efforts are:

🔹 [R]elevant – Focused on what truly matters, not just what funders ask for.
🔹 [I]ntegrated – Used across teams, not stuck in silos.
🔹 [G]rounded in Context – Adaptable to external shifts.
🔹 [H]arnessed for Influence – Driving action, not just reports.
🔹 [T]imely – Fresh enough to be useful.

Putting the RIGHT Framework Into Action

Want to assess your organization’s data practices? Download the RIGHT Evaluation Audit Framework for a step-by-step guide on how to apply it. You’ll learn how to:
✔ Evaluate your current approach
✔ Identify areas for improvement
✔ Make small, practical shifts that increase impact

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