put an infographic on it

http://philanthropy.com/article/Visualizing-Data-Helps/130990/

One of the things I've noticed thus far as a common theme through the software we've been viewing is the use of graphics.  Each program has had some component that had allowed the user to create a graph with given data (some of which can update in real time) to use for analysis or on a program dashboard.  While these graphs are not quite the same as the infographics discussed in the above article, the use of them demonstrates the importance of producing data in a digital, easy to compute format.  Like Bill Bentley, chief executive of Voices for America's Children said, "'If you throw one of these infographics out the window and somebody walks by and picks it up, we want them to be able to understand it and go, 'Wow, I want to know more about this.''"

We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded by information.  For a non-profit - arts or otherwise - it's especially important to be able to distribute information in a way that's compelling, succinct, and easy to understand.  More and more, organizations are hiring data scientists and managers, and using new and different software to help compile this data and turn it into something that can be used to fulfill a mission.  Some organizations are using infographics for fundraising purposes (in the case of the A Children's Right: why a $10-million dollar donation does not cover all of their program's costs) and some are using them solely to increase their own publicity.  Either way, these organizations are harnessing   their most important data and throwing it out to their audience; many, like Voices for America's Children, have seen huge increases in numbers on social media and in donations in response to one well-planned infographic.

But, as the article notes, the temptation is there to go overboard.  Anne Marie Borrego, director of media relations for the American Red Cross, says "It's good to edit yourself. ... You want to let the picture tell the story."

The article ended with some helpful, bulleted tips for non-profits hoping to make use of the infograph:

Creating an Infographic: Tips for Nonprofits

• Look at a wide variety of infographics, from nonprofits, businesses, and other sources, to get ideas.
• Decide what the charity wants the infographic to achieve. Don’t create one just because it’s a trendy approach.
• Identify what data the organization has collected, but also look for outside sources, such as Census figures, that could bolster the message or help put the group’s data in context.
• Follow the organization’s style guidelines on fonts, color schemes, and tone to maintain the group’s brand.
• Keep it simple. Convey the message quickly and clearly. Too many numbers or ideas can confuse or overwhelm viewers.
• Balance esthetics and substance. An infographic needs to be useful as well as visually appealing.
• Credit sources of data.
• Experiment. Try free and low-cost software to see what’s possible.