Will De La Cruz, director of services at Pro Bono Economics, explains how the organisation helps small charities use data to demonstrate their impact.
At Pro Bono Economics (PBE), we champion and support the transformative impact small charities have across the UK.
How PBE helps small charities
Through our research and services, we help small charities:
influence and inform policy
measure and communicate their impact
make the best possible use of their data.
Many small charities work with the people PBE exists to support – those with the lowest wellbeing in our country. We know that when these organisations are stronger, they make a bigger difference to the people in greatest need. That’s why, as part of our commitment, we provide our services to them completely free of charge.
Help with ad hoc data-related tasks
Our most popular service with small charities is Data First Aid.
This service is designed to help you with data analysis, visualisation, spreadsheets, or short pieces of research. It’s invaluable for charities with limited resources navigating data challenges.
The model is simple: we match charities with economist volunteers who can support with ad hoc data-related tasks.
With a diverse pool of 900 talented economists ready to help, we can assist small charities in various ways. Here are some inspiring examples of how our economist volunteers are making a difference:
Created a user-friendly spreadsheet template to better organise logistical data for Chiva’s annual support camp for young people living with HIV.
Automated Southside Family Project’s quarterly data analysis for better tracking of trauma support outcomes. The new analysis tool made a significant difference to the detail and presentation of its data analysis and is saving the charity a lot of time.
Improved Frazzled Café’s annual survey and provided data analysis and strategic recommendations to improve their service offerings.
Delivered meaningful comparisons across three datasets to produce comprehensive analysis on issues faced by Working Families’ service users. The findings are widely used across the charity for marketing, impact reporting, and fundraising.
Testimonial from RootsMove
Recently, we worked with RootsMove, a small community interest company (CIC) dedicated to ending homelessness among refugees in the UK. Director Grace Burgess shared her experience:
“Data First Aid connected us with two fantastic volunteers who worked wonders with our data. Without in-house expertise, we didn't know where to begin, but the volunteers were incredibly professional and produced high-quality research analysis and summaries for us.
“This research will be vital in informing our work and demonstrating the need for our services to the public. We are so grateful for this opportunity and would recommend Data First Aid to any voluntary sector organisation needing data support.”
If you're fighting with messy spreadsheets, need assistance making sense of data for strategic decision-making, or require help with data analysis and visualisations for a report, our team is here for you. Just complete and submit a support request form.
Free training, advice, and economic analysis
We also help small charities understand and communicate their impact through economics. Our Unlocking Impact Workshop and one-on-one sessions offer guidance on data collection and economic evaluations.
Our best practice advice for charities includes collecting standardised data to build a robust database, ensuring that findings are consistent over time. Charities with suitable data can also apply for a project with us, resulting in a published analysis report.
Testimonial from Artis
Artis, a small charity that uses the performing arts to bring the curriculum to life in primary schools to help children flourish, provides a great example.
By participating in our workshop and receiving support from a PBE economist, Artis identified and collected key outcome data for an economic evaluation. It then applied for a project with us.
With our report, Artis can now say things like:
“For every £1 invested in Artis’ programme, there could be as much as a £32 return in long-term economic benefits.”
“If the Artis programme was rolled out across all schools in the top 20% of most deprived areas in England, the lifetime benefits generated would amount to up to £3.3 billion each year.”
The report findings are widely used by Artis in its communications and fundraising efforts.
Get support from PBE
To request support, please visit the service page that interests you from the list below, and submit a form.
If we can't help, we may be able to connect you with someone who can.
If you would like a chat about our services, please email projects@probonoeconomics.com