Data Culture Health Check

for Grantmakers

A quick, research-informed self-assessment that offers an inside look at how data is collected, shared, and used across your organization - and actionable tips for improvement.

Many funders want to build stronger learning cultures around their data, but don’t always know where they currently stand, or what to improve next.

By completing this short assessment, you’ll receive:

  • A snapshot of your organization’s current data culture maturity level
  • An understanding of your strengths and gaps across five functional areas
  • Tailored recommendations for improvement you can put to work right away

Instructions:

For each statement below, use the dropdown to select the option that best describes your organization today.

Tip: Answer based on your organization’s current reality, not your aspirations — that’s how you’ll get the most useful insights.

Data Culture Assessment Questions

Our data practices are tied to mission and strategy, not only compliance/reporting.

We set clear learning questions or hypotheses before collecting data.

Grantees view our requests for data as a value-adding tool for shared learning, not a burdensome requirement.

We co-design indicators or reporting expectations with grantees.

We have basic governance (definitions, owners, update cadence) for key metrics.

We check data quality (completeness, consistency, timeliness) and act on issues.

Our tech stack supports easy imports from GMS/CSVs and produces board-ready visuals without heavy lift.

Staff and relevant partners can access up-to-date insights without gatekeepers or manual requests.
Data is used in decision forums (strategy, grant renewals, portfolio design), not just after-action reports.
We blend quantitative results with qualitative context (stories, field notes) to inform choices.
We review what worked or what didn’t and adjust programs and reporting expectations accordingly.
We benchmark outcomes across portfolios, time periods, and/or peer groups to surface patterns.
We share appropriate data and insights with grantees to align goals and support their learning and growth.
We invest in grantee data capacity (skills, systems, confidence) as part of our grant strategy.

		

Results

OVERALL DATA HEALTH SCORE: / 100

Score Breakdown:
  • Strategic Integration Score: Request results
  • Trust & Partnership Score: Request results
  • Data Quality & Governance Score: Request results
  • Learning & Decision Making Score: Request results
  • Grantee Capacity Building Score: Request results
Interpreting your Overall Score:

0-39 Points: Emerging Data Culture - Perfect starting point! Small changes will have big impact. Start with trust-building.

40-59 Points: Developing Data Culture - You have a foundation to build on. Pick one area for concentrated effort.

60-79 Points: Advancing Data Culture - You're making good progress. Focus on strengthening your lowest-scoring area.

80-100 Points: Leading Data Culture - You're modeling what's possible! Consider sharing your practices and mentoring others.


 

For a detailed look at where your organization falls on the data maturity scale—including your scores across five functional areas and tailored recommendations—click below to receive your full Data Culture Health Check results by email.