Training for nonprofits
Purpose-built training programs to help your nonprofit leverage data and technology effectively.
Our online training sessions are designed specifically for nonprofit organisations, addressing your unique challenges and resource constraints while providing practical skills your team can implement immediately.
Explore our training programs
Data management: Introduction to databases
Understand when and how to move beyond spreadsheets to database solutions for your growing organisation.
Who this is for:
Operations managers, coordinators, or anyone managing data in spreadsheets who wants to explore better solutions.
Common data challenges in nonprofits
Identify the pain points of spreadsheet-based data management: version control issues, data integrity problems, collaboration difficulties, and scaling limitations.
When to transition from spreadsheets to databases
Learn the warning signs that indicate your organisation has outgrown spreadsheets and would benefit from a database solution.
Introduction to database platforms
Overview of user-friendly, no-code database platforms (NocoDB, Baserow, Airtable) and how they compare to spreadsheets in terms of features, costs, and ease of use.
Database basics: tables, fields, and relationships
Understand fundamental database concepts through practical nonprofit examples: how to structure your data for better management and insights.
What you'll learn:
- Identify whether your organisation needs to move from spreadsheets to databases
- Understand the benefits and trade-offs of different database platforms
- Grasp core database concepts: tables, fields, records, and relationships
- Evaluate which database platform best fits your organisation's needs and budget
- Plan a realistic transition path from your current spreadsheet system
Data management: Advanced implementation
Hands-on workshop to set up and optimise your database with advanced features and workflows.
Who this is for:
Staff responsible for setting up and managing databases. Requires admin access to your database platform.
Data migration basics
Practical exercise to migrate existing spreadsheet data into a proper database structure, including data cleaning, validation, and establishing relationships between tables.
Advanced views and interfaces
Master database views: create filters, grids, kanban boards, calendars, and forms tailored to different team roles and workflows.
Forms for data collection
Create public-facing forms for community data collection (volunteer signups, service requests, feedback) while maintaining data security and GDPR compliance.
Access controls and permissions
Set up proper access controls to manage who can view, edit, or delete data across your team and organisation, while keeping sensitive information secure.
Connecting databases to other tools
Introduction to automation platforms and how they can integrate your database with email, donation systems, websites, etc.
What you'll learn:
- Create custom views and interfaces for different team roles
- Build public forms for community data collection while maintaining security
- Configure access controls and permissions to protect sensitive data
- Learn how to migrate existing spreadsheet data into a structured database
- Set up proper data relationships, validation rules, and data types
- Learn how to connect your database to other tools using automation platforms
Workflow automation
Streamline your operations with advanced no-code automation techniques.
Who this is for:
Operations staff or admins who manage multiple systems and want to automate repetitive tasks. Basic familiarity with at least one automation platform recommended.
Automation platforms overview
Quick overview of automation tools (Zapier, Pipedream, n8n, Make) and when to use each platform based on your needs and budget.
Complex workflows and conditional logic
Follow-along exercise: build sophisticated automations with conditional branches, data transformations, and multi-step processes for nonprofit workflows.
Advanced integrations and data synchronisation
Hands-on exercise: connect multiple systems (CRM, email marketing, databases) with bidirectional data sync and intelligent routing.
Error handling and monitoring
Set up robust workflows that handle failures gracefully, with proper logging, notifications, and monitoring to ensure reliability.
Security and compliance in automation
Best practices for securely handling sensitive donor and beneficiary data in automated workflows while maintaining GDPR compliance.
What you'll learn:
- Identify automation opportunities across your organisation
- Build complex workflows with conditional logic and data transformations
- Set up reliable data synchronisation between multiple systems
- Implement comprehensive error handling and monitoring
- Apply security best practices to protect sensitive data in workflows
- Troubleshoot and maintain automated workflows long-term
Analytics and impact measurement
Turn your data into actionable insights with dashboards, KPIs, and compelling impact stories.
Who this is for:
Program managers, M&E staff, or anyone responsible for tracking outcomes and reporting to funders.
Mapping your data landscape
Audit all your data sources (donor systems, program data, website, social media) and identify gaps and opportunities for better tracking.
Defining meaningful KPIs
Select key performance indicators that align with your mission, satisfy funder requirements, and provide practical insights, while avoiding vanity metrics.
Building dashboards for different audiences
Hands-on exercise: create a professional dashboard using accessible tools (Metabase, PowerBI, Google Sheets) with views adapted for different audiences (board members, funders, operations staff).
Communicating impact through data stories
Transform raw data into compelling narratives that demonstrate your impact to funders, board members, and the public, without overwhelming them with numbers.
What you'll learn:
- Conduct a comprehensive audit of your data sources and identify collection gaps
- Define mission-aligned KPIs that satisfy both internal and funder reporting needs
- Build automated dashboards that update from your existing systems
- Create compelling data stories that demonstrate impact to different stakeholders
AI: Evaluating tools for ethics, security, and responsible use
Evaluate AI tools critically to protect your mission, values, and sensitive data.
Who this is for:
Leadership, program staff, or anyone making decisions about AI adoption for their organisation.
Alignment with organisational values
Evaluate whether AI providers align with your values: consider their involvement in surveillance, military contracts, or conflicts. Develop a framework for assessing alignment between your AI choices and your organisation's mission and public positions.
Data security and privacy in AI workflows
Understand what happens to your data when you use different AI platforms. Learn which tools are safe for sensitive donor and beneficiary information, and practical steps to prevent data leaks.
Comparing AI model options
Compare proprietary models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) with open-source alternatives (DeepSeek, Llama, Mistral). Practical framework for evaluating trade-offs in cost, performance, privacy, and ethics.
AI limitations and when not to use AI
Identify when AI is unreliable or inappropriate: decision-making about vulnerable people, legal advice, sensitive case work. Set realistic expectations about AI capabilities and constraints.
What you'll learn:
- Develop a framework for evaluating AI alignment with your organisation's values
- Understand data security and privacy risks across different AI platforms
- Compare proprietary and open-source AI options based on your priorities
- Identify inappropriate use cases and AI limitations
- Make informed AI adoption decisions that reflect your mission and values
AI: Practical applications
Hands-on training to implement AI for grant writing, data analysis, and administrative tasks.
Who this is for:
Fundraisers, program staff, or operations managers who want to use AI for practical tasks.
Research and information gathering
Use AI research tools (Perplexity, ChatGPT with search) to gather information for grants, reports, and advocacy. Learn effective fact-checking techniques to verify AI-generated information.
Grant writing and proposal development
Use AI as a brainstorming partner for grant proposals (structuring arguments, researching funders, drafting sections) while maintaining your authentic voice and mission focus.
Data cleaning and qualitative analysis
Live demonstration: use AI to clean messy spreadsheets, standardise addresses, categorise expenses, summarise lengthy reports, and extract themes from survey responses, while understanding when human review is essential.
What you'll learn:
- Use AI research tools effectively with proper fact-checking
- Develop stronger grant proposals with AI assistance while maintaining authenticity
- Clean and analyse data efficiently using AI while maintaining accuracy
- Build realistic expectations about AI capabilities and limitations
Digital security: GDPR & data protection
Understand GDPR requirements and build a culture of data protection in your organisation.
Who this is for:
Leadership, operations managers, or anyone responsible for data compliance and organisational policies.
GDPR essentials for nonprofits
Understand GDPR requirements for charities: lawful basis for processing, data subject rights, retention policies, and when you need a Data Protection Officer.
Compliant data collection and consent
Create GDPR-compliant forms, implement proper consent mechanisms (opt-in vs opt-out), and manage consent across different purposes (marketing, service delivery, research).
Data retention and deletion policies
Establish practical data retention schedules that balance legal requirements, funder obligations, and storage costs. Implement data deletion processes that actually work.
Building a data protection culture
Train staff on data protection basics, create simple policies that people actually follow, and foster organisational habits that protect donor and beneficiary privacy.
What you'll learn:
- Understand GDPR requirements and your organisation's legal obligations
- Create compliant data collection forms with proper consent mechanisms
- Establish practical data retention and deletion policies
- Build a data protection culture through training and simple policies
- Evaluate third-party tools and suppliers for GDPR compliance
Digital security: Practical implementation
Hands-on workshop to secure accounts, configure systems, and protect against common threats.
Who this is for:
Staff with admin access to organisational accounts (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, databases, websites).
Personal security foundations
Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) and password managers for individual accounts. Secure personal devices and understand basic security hygiene.
Organisational accounts and permissions
Lock down Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, social media, and donor management systems. Configure access controls, audit app permissions, and manage third-party integrations.
Infrastructure security
Secure websites with essential security plugins, regular updates, and backup automation. Set up automated backups for critical data with proper encryption and offsite storage.
Threat detection and response
Conduct DIY security assessments to identify vulnerabilities. Check for breaches, develop practical incident response plans, and practice responding to phishing attempts and security incidents.
What you'll learn:
- Implement 2FA and password management across all organisational accounts
- Configure privacy and security settings in commonly used nonprofit software
- Secure websites with appropriate plugins and configurations
- Set up automated, encrypted backups with tested recovery procedures
- Conduct basic security assessments and identify vulnerabilities
- Detect compromised accounts and respond to security incidents
- Train team members to recognise phishing and other common threats
Training pricing
We offer tiered pricing based on your organisation's revenue to ensure our training is accessible to nonprofits of all sizes.
| Organisation revenue | Basic | Intermediate | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below £50k | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| £50k - £100k | £50 | £100 | £200 |
| £100k - £500k | £75 | £150 | £300 |
| £Above 500k | £100 | £250 | £400 |
All trainings are online-only and last 2-4 hours. Maximum 8 participants per session.
Group discounts are available for organisations registering multiple participants.
Reach out
Connect with us to find out how we can help you leverage your data.
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