Unlocking Success with a Dash of Data: How Data Storytelling Helps Tell the Full Story for Schools and Nonprofits

By Cori Egan, Junior Partner

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” — Ferris Bueller might have been talking about seizing the day, but we at Lumen like to think he was also hinting at the importance of data analysis and sensemaking in keeping up with the ever-evolving landscape of education and nonprofit work.

When schools hear the word “data,” they often imagine rows of numbers, test scores, and performance metrics. Sure, performance is part of the story, but it’s like watching a movie on mute—you miss out on the richness of the dialogue, the soundtrack, and the full picture if you’re not looking a little deeper. At Lumen, our research team believes in turning up the volume on all aspects of data, embracing both the numbers and the narratives to help schools and nonprofits see a path forward.

Imagine a school as a vibrant ecosystem. Scholars’ performance data might be the trees, but what about the undergrowth, the soil, the water? That’s where qualitative data—interviews, focus groups, survey responses—comes in. We don’t just look at what the numbers say; we listen to the voices behind them. By talking to real people within the building—teachers, administrators, students, and even community members—we capture the essence of the school’s culture, governance, instruction, and overall environment. We can then help schools make sense of these data, decide where to focus energy, and how to adjust or create a strategy to tackle areas of interest or of needed improvement.

This isn’t just true for schools. It applies to our work with nonprofits as well. We work with nonprofits striving to improve their culture, create efficiencies, and strengthen their services to communities, other organizations, and clients. While nonprofits may not have a foundation of scholars’ performance data, they often have a wealth of quantitative data—metrics on how many people they’re reaching, how much funding they’re securing, or satisfaction data on how their services are perceived. Lumen helps these nonprofits collect and make sense of that data, and supplement that with qualitative data that we can collect. Then, we sift through the seemingly insurmountable spreadsheets of numbers, honing in on the data that will help them achieve their goals. By combining this focused quantitative data with rich qualitative insights, nonprofits can see a clearer path to maximize their impact.

This isn’t just data collection; it’s data storytelling. Schools and nonprofits partner with Lumen to paint a complete picture of their successes and challenges. This holistic approach transforms how they understand their journey and plot their path forward. When schools and nonprofits leverage a robust data portfolio, they’re equipped to make informed decisions that reflect the true heartbeat of their community.

So, next time you think of data, channel your inner Ferris Bueller. Take a moment to stop, look around, and listen. Because at Lumen, we’re here to help you not just see the numbers, but hear the stories and unlock the full potential of your organization