What Nonprofits Need Most Heading Into 2023—and Why It Starts with Data

As 2022 comes to a close, one thing is clear: nonprofit organizations have been tested in every way. Over the past year, we’ve worked with mission-driven groups across sectors—education, housing, food access, community development—and one theme keeps coming up: demand is rising, and sustainability is uncertain.

This challenge isn’t unique. According to the 2022 Nonprofit Sector Survey, nearly 75% of nonprofits nationwide experienced increased demand for services over the past year. At Bridge Builder Strategies, we’ve seen this firsthand with our partners. And while many organizations have risen to meet that demand, the question on everyone’s mind is: How long can we keep this up?

Nonprofit leaders cite the same barriers to long-term sustainability: staffing shortages, limited funding, and a lack of data infrastructure. These challenges not only stretch capacity—they cloud decision-making at the very time clarity is most needed.

That’s why data competency is no longer optional. It’s a core leadership skill.

As funders and partners increasingly prioritize impact-driven giving, the ability to demonstrate results—clearly, consistently, and in real time—has become a competitive advantage. First-party data doesn’t just help organizations prove their value; it helps them understand where to focus, what to improve, and how to grow responsibly.

But good data doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentional leadership to clarify what matters, decide what to measure, and ensure systems are in place to collect and apply information in ways that guide action. Data quality, in particular, can make or break a nonprofit’s ability to make confident, cost-effective decisions.

The organizations that will thrive in 2023 are those with strong leadership, focused strategy, and high-quality data that powers mission-aligned action. Nonprofits don’t just need to serve—they need to prove, adapt, and lead. That starts with boards and executive teams who are willing to invest in the tools and practices that drive long-term impact.

At Bridge Builder Strategies, we’re proud to walk alongside these organizations—helping them strengthen their strategies, upgrade their data capabilities, and lead with clarity in uncertain times.