Teaching Paper: Choosing the Right Visualization Tool for Non-Profits

Teaching Paper: Choosing the Right Visualization Tool for Non-Profits

Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Teaching Paper | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-rsc-eth-dt-tp-02

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About the Article

Selecting an appropriate data visualization tool is a critical decision for non-profits seeking to enhance accountability, transparency, and communication with stakeholders. This Teaching Paper compares five widely used tools—Tableau, Power BI, Google Data Studio, Datawrapper, and D3.js—assessing their cost, usability, customization potential, and suitability for different organizational contexts. Drawing on theories of strategic communication, performance management, and evaluation utilization, it provides a structured framework for aligning tool choice with capacity, mission, and reporting needs. A practical guide outlines features and trade-offs, a case study illustrates real-world application, and tips address common pitfalls. The paper serves as both a scholarly contribution and a practical toolkit for strengthening non-profit transparency and impact through effective digital communication.

Key Topics

  • Comparative analysis of visualization tools
  • Cost, usability, and customization trade-offs
  • Aligning tools with organizational capacity
  • Case study of tool adoption in a non-profit
  • Challenges of training, integration, and data security
  • Strategic communication and stakeholder trust

Suggested Citation

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Teaching Paper: Choosing the Right Visualization Tool for Non-Profits. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-sc-md-ms-tp-02

References

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Drucker, P. F. (1990). Managing the nonprofit organization: Principles and practices. HarperCollins.

Few, S. (2012). Show me the numbers: Designing tables and graphs to enlighten. Analytics Press.

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Data visualization for non-profit impact: Principles, practices, and applications. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-eth-rs-eth-dt-an-02

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Data visualization templates for non-profit strategy and reporting (Teaching Paper). Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-rsc-eth-dt-tp-01

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Ethical considerations in digital research: Privacy, consent, and emerging technologies. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-rsc-eth-dt-09

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Research Ethics and Data Privacy. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/research-ethics-data-privacy-2025

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). The Power of Effective Presentations. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/the-power-of-effective-presentations-2025

Patton, M. Q. (2008). Utilization-focused evaluation (4th ed.). Sage.

https://neyaglobal.com/journal-nonprofit/teaching-paper-choosing-the-right-visualization-tool-for-non-profits
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September 26, 2025