Data Visualization

Metabase

Metabase is an open-source software for nonprofits (NPOs)  that provides a powerful interface that can be used by non-techies.

With Metabse, NPO’s can:

Note: NPOs can either choose to self-host it on their own server, or install it on a managed instance.

Metabase is an ideal tool for NPO’s, due to its easy-to-use interface, cost-effectiveness, and quick deployability. It allows NPOs to quickly create dashboards and reports that can help them better understand their data and make meaningful reports to their funders.

Features of the tool

Benefits for NPO’s

Reasons to use Metabase

Supported Database

Metabase allows NPOs to easily connect and explore data stored in multiple databases and data warehouses. NPOs can quickly and securely access, analyse, and learn from their data, no matter where it is stored.

Officially supported database (Connectors built by the Metabase team and available on all editions. Fully supported by Metabase for users on paid plans.)

Community Data Source Connectors(Connectors built by the Metabase community and only available on self-hosted and open-source editions for licensing reasons. Not supported by Metabase.)

Graphical Representations

Fig. 1. The Metabase home page.

The Metabase open-source home page provides an overview of the software's features and capabilities, as well as links to documentation, community resources, and downloads.


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Fig. 2. Metabase Dataset interface

The Dataset interface can be incredibly helpful for NPOs. It allows them to easily and quickly access data in a way that is organised and intuitive. The Metabase data set interface allows users to easily create, save, and share custom queries and data visualisations, empowering non-technical users to explore and analyse their data without requiring specialised knowledge or training.

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Fig. 3. Select from 15 different chart types to visualise results:

15 different chart types offer a powerful way to view impactful results. By using these charts, users can quickly identify trends, patterns, and outliers in their data. NPOs can easily compare different data sets side by side, allowing them to make more informed decisions. Additionally, these charts are interactive and customizable, so users can tailor the charts to their specific needs. This allows them to quickly and easily gain insight into their data and make the most of their resources.

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Fig. 4. Metabase Bar chart view:

An ideal for NPO’s to visualise performance at an organisation level. It displays the total count or sum of values grouped by a certain attribute, such as month, age, group, location, etc. This makes it easy to get an overview of how the organisation is performing in each category. The bars can also be coloured to help quickly identify highs and lows. With a Metabase bar chart, it's simple to get a quick snapshot of the performance.

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Fig. 5. Live dashboard view:

Live dashboard feature helps to track performance helping NPOs stay on top of their projects or campaigns. With this chart, they can identify key metrics such as donations, volunteers, and program results which can be monitored in real time creating less buffer time, allowing them to strategies immediately.

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Fig. 6. Pricing

Metabase open source project has a large and active community of users, developers, and contributors. It has been downloaded more than 30,000 times and has more than 324 contributors on Github. It also has a thriving community of more than 7,000 users on its Discourse forum.

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Limitations

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, Metabase is an ideal tool due to its easy-to-use interface, cost-effectiveness and quick deployability. It allows organisations to create dashboards and reports that can help them better understand their data and make meaningful reports to their funders or new donors. It is available in both Community and Enterprise Editions, so that NPOs can choose the version that best suits their needs.

BIRT

Business Intelligence Reporting Tool (BIRT) provides a platform to create data visualisations, nonprofits  can pull and combine data from many different data sources (databases, files, Java, Javascript, web services, etc) and use this data for reporting (textual) and charting (visual). This allows nonprofit organisations to quickly and efficiently generate insights from their data that can be used to inform their decision making processes. Additionally, BIRT can help nonprofit organisations to create reports that are tailored to their specific needs, saving them time and money. The BIRT tool can address a wide range of reporting needs which are implemented in a streamlined process. 

Features

Benefits for NPOs

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Tools Installation Setup

Conclusion:

In conclusion, BIRT (Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools) can provide significant benefits to NPOs by helping them collect, analyse, and report on data. BIRT can be used for a wide range of activities, including financial reporting, donor management, program evaluation, impact reporting, grant reporting, and marketing and communications. By using BIRT, NPOs can improve data analysis, create better reports, increase efficiency, and make informed decisions based on solid evidence. BIRT can also help NPOs increase accountability to their stakeholders and funders by tracking activities, measuring impact, and demonstrating the effectiveness of their programs and services. Overall, BIRT is a powerful tool that can help NPOs achieve their goals and create positive change in their communities.