Turning Nonprofit Data Into Action: A Technical Guide to Power BI
Nonprofits generate data constantly — but it’s often scattered across Excel files, CRMs, survey tools, and program systems. Power BI provides a unified analytics layer that connects, cleans, models, and visualizes this data in a secure, scalable environment. It is part of Microsoft’s broader analytics stack designed to turn raw data into actionable insight. This guide dives deeper into the technical foundations required to build nonprofit‑ready analytics solutions. Power BI Architecture for Nonprofits Power BI consists of three core components: 1. Power BI Desktop Power BI Desktop is the primary authoring tool used to create data models and interactive reports. These reports are then published to the Power BI Service for sharing and collaboration. Used for: Data modeling (building semantic models) DAX calculations (measures and calculated columns) Visual design (interactive reports) Data transformation using Power Query 👉 Power BI Desktop overview 2. Power BI Service (Cloud) The Power BI Service is the cloud-based platform for collaboration, distribution, and consumption of analytics, enabling teams and stakeholders to securely access and interact with data insights Used for: Publishing reports from Power BI Desktop Sharing dashboards and reports Scheduled data refresh Row-Level Security (RLS) Workspaces, apps, and governance 👉 Get Started Creating in the Power BI Service - Power BI | Microsoft Learn 3. Power BI Gateway (Optional) The gateway ensures secure data transfer between on‑premises systems and Power BI cloud services. Used when connecting to on‑premises data sources (SQL Server, local Excel files, etc.). Acts as a secure bridge between cloud services and on‑premises data Enables scheduled data refresh and live (DirectQuery) connections Keeps sensitive data within your local network while enabling cloud-based analytics 👉 On-premises data gateway - Power BI | Microsoft Learn Core Data Preparation: Power Query Power Query is the data preparation and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) engine behind Power BI. Capabilities: Connects to multiple data sources Cleans and reshapes data Creates repeatable transformation pipelines Supports hundreds of data transformations 👉 Power Query overview Power Query standardizes data and automates preparation workflows, reducing manual effort. Advanced Nonprofit Use Cases 1. Multi‑Program Outcome Dashboards Nonprofits often manage multiple programs with different metrics. Power BI enables unified reporting through: Star schema modeling Fact tables (attendance, outcomes, surveys) Dimension tables (participants, programs, locations) 👉 Star schema guidance: Understand star schema and the importance for Power BI - Power BI | Microsoft Learn 2. Donor Analytics With Predictive Insights DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) is a formula language used to create dynamic calculations and measures inside Power BI data models. Using DAX, AI visuals, and advanced analytics features, nonprofits can: Identify donor churn Analyze giving trends and likelihood Segment donors by behavior Calculate and track lifetime value 👉 DAX reference 3. Volunteer Workforce Analytics Track and optimize: Volunteer hours by skill Retention trends Training completion and effectiveness Event staffing gaps and workforce allocation 👉 Power BI HR analytics sample (workforce trends & attrition): Human Resources sample – Power BI 4. Grant Reporting Automation Power BI enables nonprofits to automate and standardize grant reporting processes, reducing manual effort and improving accuracy. Capabilities: Automatically refresh data using scheduled refresh in the Power BI Service Standardize reporting through reusable dashboards and report templates Automated export and distribution 👉 Configure scheduled refresh – Power BI 👉 Export and automate report delivery with Power Automate How to Build a Nonprofit Impact Dashboard (Advanced) Step 1: Build a Data Model Import data (Excel, SharePoint, SQL) Create core tables: FactOutcomes DimParticipant DimProgram DimDate Define one‑to‑many relationships between dimension and fact tables This follows a star schema approach, which improves performance, scalability, and reporting clarity. 👉 Power BI data modeling guidance Step 2: Create DAX Measures Example measures: Total Participants = COUNT(DimParticipant[ParticipantID]) Total Outcomes = SUM(FactOutcomes[OutcomeValue]) Outcome Rate = DIVIDE( [Total Outcomes], [Total Participants], 0 ) Active Participants = CALCULATE( DISTINCTCOUNT(DimParticipant[ParticipantID]), FactOutcomes[Status] = "Active" ) 👉 DAX reference Step 3: Build Visuals Use report visuals to present key metrics and patterns, then pin selected visuals to dashboards in the Power BI Service for executive-level monitoring. Cards → KPIs (total participants, outcomes) Line charts → trends over time Maps → geographic impact Matrix tables → structured reporting for funders 👉 Intro to dashboards for Power BI designers - Power BI | Microsoft Learn and Overview of Power BI reports - Power BI | Microsoft Learn Step 4: Publish and Automate Publish to Power BI Service Configure scheduled refresh Apply Row-Level Security Share dashboards with leadership, funders, and board members 👉 Configure scheduled refresh - Power BI | Microsoft Learn and Tutorial: Get Started Creating in the Power BI Service - Power BI | Microsoft Learn Final Thought Power BI gives nonprofits a modern, enterprise-grade analytics platform without requiring a full data engineering team. By combining: Structured data modeling Automated data preparation Strong governance practices nonprofits can transform fragmented data into clear, actionable insight that drives mission impact.How to Switch Between Multiple Organizations in Microsoft Teams
Introduction: If you collaborate with multiple companies, clients, or nonprofits, you’ve likely been invited to more than one Microsoft Teams organization (aka “tenant”). While Teams is a powerful tool for collaboration, switching between orgs isn’t always intuitive—and can slow you down if you’re not set up properly. In this blog, I’ll walk you through how to manage and switch between multiple organizations in Microsoft Teams smoothly—on both desktop and mobile. What Is an "Organization" in Teams? Each Microsoft 365 account is tied to a single organization (or tenant). When you're added to another org’s Teams environment, you're technically a guest there. Teams allows you to toggle between these orgs, but the interface isn’t always user-friendly, and you can easily miss notifications or messages if you're not careful. How to Switch Organizations on Teams Desktop App Open Microsoft Teams (desktop or web). In the top-right corner, click on your profile picture. Under your name, you’ll see a list of all the organizations you’re a member of. Click the name of the org you want to switch to. Teams will reload in that environment. Note: Each time you switch, Teams refreshes—so it can take a few seconds. switched organization shown below Switching Orgs on the Teams Mobile App Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner. Under your name, tap the dropdown arrow to view other organizations. Select the org you want to access. Note: On mobile, switching is usually faster than on desktop, and it’s a good backup when you cannot access your computer. Other Tips for Managing Multiple Orgs ✅ Use the Web App in Parallel Open teams.microsoft.com in a browser for one org while using the desktop app for another. This is especially helpful if you're constantly jumping back and forth. 🔔 Don't Miss Notifications Teams doesn’t show notifications from orgs you’re not actively in. Use the Activity Feed in each org to catch up when you switch. On mobile, you can enable notifications for all orgs (Settings > Notifications > Accounts). 💼 Keep Track of Which Org You're In Customize your Teams theme for each org to help visually differentiate them. Add org initials or emojis in team names (if you’re an admin) to make switching less confusing. 🧹 Leave Orgs You No Longer Use If you’re no longer collaborating with a tenant, go to myaccount.microsoft.com/organizations and remove your access. 🧠 Bonus: Using Multiple Desktops or Profiles If you’re more advanced, consider: Creating browser profiles (Chrome/Edge) for each org. Running Teams in multiple desktop user accounts or Microsoft Edge side-by-side mode. Wrapping Up Switching orgs in Teams is a necessary evil for consultants, volunteers, and cross-org collaborators. With the right habits—like using browser tabs, enabling notifications, and customizing views—you can stay productive without missing a beat.Simplify Your Scheduling with Microsoft Bookings
Introduction to Microsoft Bookings Microsoft Bookings is an online tool designed to help you schedule appointments with ease. Whether you are a small business owner, a nonprofit organization, or part of a larger enterprise, Microsoft Bookings can streamline your scheduling process, allowing clients to book appointments for the services you provide. This blog post will guide you through the key features of Microsoft Bookings and how to get started. What is Microsoft Bookings? Microsoft Bookings is an online scheduling tool that allows you to create booking calendars for specific purposes or departments. Clients can schedule appointments for listed services, and you can share the booking calendar link or embed it on your website. This tool is particularly useful for managing appointments, reducing no-shows, and improving customer satisfaction. Key Features of Microsoft Bookings Easy Access: Navigate to www.office.com, sign in with your credentials, and find Bookings in the App Launcher or Microsoft Teams. Customizable Booking Pages: Create and customize booking pages with your business details, logo, and color theme. Customer Management: Add customers manually or import contact lists to your booking page. Staff Management: Add staff members, assign roles, and set their availability. Service Management: Create and manage services, set availability, and customize fields for customer information. Notifications: Set up email and text message notifications for appointments. How to Get Started with Microsoft Bookings Accessing the Bookings App Navigate to www.office.com and sign in with your credentials. Click on the App Launcher at the top left side. Choose “More apps” and find Bookings. Alternatively, you can find Bookings in Microsoft Teams by selecting the ellipses on the left side to reveal applications and choosing Bookings. Setting Up Your Booking Calendar Once you are in the Bookings app, select “create” next to Shared booking pages. Choose “create from scratch” to create a shared booking page from scratch or clone one from an existing bookings calendar. Fill in the details of your calendar, including your business name, type, and business hours. Invite your staff to the calendar. These individuals will be able to view and manage bookings for the team based on the roles assigned on this page. Set up and edit your first initial service by selecting “Change.” You can add more services after the calendar has been created. Choose who can book appointments: “no self-service,” “People in my organization,” or “Anyone.” Configuring and Publishing Your Shared Booking Page Within the Shared Booking Page window, select “Booking page” from the left-hand menu. Configure who can book an appointment: No Self-service, Available to people in your organization, or Available to anyone. The booking page you created will have a link. Customize your page with a template, color theme, and logo. Under Regions and Time Zone Settings, set your language and time zones. Save your settings and your booking page is ready to use. Adding Customers and Staff Members When setting up your booking page for the first time, manually adding your existing customer base can help you get started quickly and ensure that your regular clients are already in the system. Adding staff will give only those individuals access to the specific shared booking link and page. Adding Customers: Navigate to the left-hand menu, select customers, and click the add new customer button. Fill out the customer information and save changes. You can also import customer lists in CSV format. Ensure that the CSV file is in the UTF-8 encoding for best results. See Import or export contacts in Outlook Adding Staff Members: Navigate to the left-hand menu, select staff, and click the add new staff button. Complete the information, including name, email, and phone number. Assign roles and set availability. Adding New Services The ability to add typical services offered to the community you support is also available on the booking page settings! This will allow specific calendar bookings that gives your team insight on the purpose of each meeting booked. Navigate to the left-hand menu and select services. Click “add new service” and fill out the form, including service name, description, location, duration, and price. Set availability options and assign staff to the service. Customize fields for customer information and set up notifications. Conclusion Microsoft Bookings is a powerful tool that can help you manage appointments efficiently. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can set up and customize your booking page, add customers and staff members, and create services tailored to your needs. Start using Microsoft Bookings today to streamline your scheduling process and enhance customer satisfaction.Creating A Nonprofit Support Ticket
The marvels of innovation have revolutionized the way we work and connect with the world, delivering technological advancements that make life more efficient and communication seamless. However, technology isn’t always perfect. What happens when your software throws you a curveball? Picture this: you’re managing your Microsoft Nonprofit account, but an issue arises. Perhaps you are still waiting for your Azure Sponsorship email for next steps. Where do you turn for answers and support when things don’t go as planned? Contacting Microsoft Nonprofit Support You may already be familiar with Microsoft's Nonprofit Hub when you initially signed up. If not, you can apply to Microsoft's Nonprofit Philanthropy Program. You can also contact support related to your Microsoft Nonprofit Account no matter if you are a prospective or current customer. You can follow the instructions below to create a support ticket. Instructions Navigate to Microsoft Nonprofit Hub Contact Us Scroll to the "How can we help" section of the page. Write a brief description of the issue within 80 to 100 characters in the search bar, then press the "Get help" button. Depending on your response, you will see a solution. If these do not help, continue to the "Get more help" section. Fill out your contact information and select the most relevant answer under the "I am a" and "What can we help you with" Sections. Lastly, continue filling out the description of the issue under the "How can we help" section minus the character limit. Your support ticket has been created. Please keep the Request Id for future reference. You will receive an email confirmation once your ticket is processed. Additionally, you will be contacted via phone and email when a Nonprofit Support Engineer is assigned to your ticket. Additional Resources: Getting Signed Up with Microsoft Nonprofits Program | Microsoft Community Hub Microsoft Nonprofit Hub | Contact UsTransitioning from Microsoft 365 Business Premium to Business Basic: What Nonprofits Need to Know
As Microsoft begins transitioning out the Business Premium grant for nonprofits, many organizations are reassessing their licensing needs therefore this is an opportunity to streamline operations and continue leveraging powerful tools with Microsoft 365 Business Basic. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ What Is Microsoft 365 Business Basic? Microsoft 365 Business Basic is a cloud-first productivity suite designed for organizations that don’t need desktop Office apps but still want access to essential collaboration and communication tools. It includes: ✅Web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook ✅Microsoft Teams for meetings, chat, and collaboration ✅Exchange Online with a 50 GB mailbox per user ✅OneDrive for Business with 1 TB of cloud storage ✅SharePoint Online for document management and team sites It’s a cost-effective solution for nonprofits looking to maintain productivity while reducing licensing expenses. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Change Microsoft has announced the retirement of the Business Premium grant, which previously provided eligible nonprofits with free access to premium features like desktop Office apps, Intune, and advanced security tools. As a result, many organizations are now exploring Business Basic as a cost-effective alternative. Note: If your organization decides to continue using Microsoft 365 Business Premium, you may be eligible for a discount of up to 75% through Microsoft’s nonprofit pricing. This can be a great option if you still need access to advanced features. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ How to Transition from Business Premium to Business Basic Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the switch smoothly: Step 1: Evaluate Your Current Usage Identify users who don’t need desktop apps or advanced security features. Use the Microsoft 365 admin center to review license assignments and usage patterns. Step 2: Purchase Business Basic Licenses Go to Microsoft 365 admin center > Billing > Purchase services. Select “Details” next to Microsoft 365 Business Basic and buy the number of licenses you need. Important: Although the process says “purchase,” eligible nonprofits receive the first 300 Business Basic licenses for free. You will not be charged for these licenses, even though they are added through the purchase flow. Step 3: Reassign Licenses Navigate to Users > Active users. For each user, go to Licenses and Apps, uncheck Business Premium, and check Business Basic. Save your changes. Step 4: Remove Unused Premium Licenses Once all users are reassigned, reduce or cancel your Business Premium licenses to avoid unnecessary charges. Go to Billing > Your Products Click on Microsoft 365 Business Premium, then click remove licenses Ensure that users have been unassigned licenses or that may cause an error Step 5: Communicate the Transition Let your team know what’s changing and what tools they’ll still have access to. Offer training or resources to help them adapt to web-based tools. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Business Premium vs Business Basic Comparison Feature Business Premium Business Basic Desktop versions of Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) ✅ ❌ Advanced security features (Microsoft Defender for Business, Microsoft Purview) ✅ ❌ Device management (via Microsoft Intune) ✅ ❌ Access and Publisher (PC only) ✅ ❌ Webinar hosting and attendee tools in Teams ✅ ❌ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ What You’ll Still Have with Business Basic Despite the changes, you’ll retain access to essential tools that support collaboration and productivity: Web and mobile versions of Office apps Microsoft Teams (chat, call, meet with up to 300 attendees) Business-class email with Exchange 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage SharePoint Standard security and support ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Making the Most of Microsoft 365 Business Basic Even without desktop apps, Business Basic offers a robust suite of tools to keep your team connected and productive: ✅ Web-Based Office Apps Use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook directly in your browser. Collaborate in real-time with colleagues on shared documents. ✅ Microsoft Teams Host virtual meetings, chat, and collaborate on files. Create channels for departments or projects to streamline communication. ✅ OneDrive and SharePoint Store and share files securely in the cloud. Use version history and co-authoring to improve productivity. ✅ Email and Calendar Access professional email with a 50 GB mailbox via Outlook on the web. Manage calendars and schedule meetings with ease. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Final Thoughts While the retirement of the Business Premium grant may require some adjustments, Microsoft 365 Business Basic still provides essential tools to help your nonprofit thrive. With thoughtful planning and a focus on cloud-based collaboration, you can continue to operate efficiently and make a meaningful impact—without breaking your budget.How to Re-Register MFA
Working closely with nonprofits every day, I often come across a common challenge faced by MFA users. Recently, I worked with a nonprofit leader who faced an issue after getting a new phone. She was unable to authenticate into her Microsoft 365 environment because her MFA setup was tied to her old device. This experience highlighted how important it is to have a process in place for MFA re-registration. Without it, even routine changes like upgrading a phone can disrupt access to your everyday tools and technologies, delaying important work such as submitting a grant proposal. Why MFA is Essential for Nonprofits Before we discuss how to reset MFA, let’s take a step back and discuss why MFA is a necessity for nonprofits the way it is important for any organization. In the nonprofit world, protecting sensitive or confidential data—like donor information, financial records, and program details—is a top priority. One of the best ways to step up your security game is by using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra layer of protection on top of passwords by requiring something you have (like a mobile app or text message) or something you are (like a fingerprint). This makes it a lot harder for cybercriminals to get unauthorized access. If your nonprofit uses Azure Active Directory (AAD), or Microsoft Entra (as it is now called), with Microsoft 365, MFA can make a big difference in keeping your work safe. Since Microsoft Entra is built to work together with other Microsoft tools, it’s easy to set up and enforce secure sign-in methods across your whole organization. To make sure this added protection stays effective, it’s a good idea to occasionally ask users to update how they verify their identity. What Does MFA Re-Registration Mean for Nonprofits? MFA re-registration is just a fancy way of saying users need to update or reset how they authenticate, or verify, themselves. This might mean setting up MFA on a new phone (like the woman in the scenario above), adding an extra security option (like a hardware token), or simply confirming their existing setup. It’s all about making sure the methods and devices your users rely on for MFA are secure and under their control. When and Why Should Nonprofits Require MFA Re-Registration? Outside of getting a new phone, there may be other situations that raise cause for reason to re-register your MFA. A few scenarios include: Lost or Stolen Devices: Similar to the scenario above, if someone loses their phone or it gets stolen, you will have to re-register the new device. Role Changes: If someone’s responsibilities change, their MFA setup can be adjusted to match their new access needs. Security Enhancements: Organizations may require users to re-register for MFA to adopt more secure authentication methods, such as moving from SMS-based MFA to an app-based MFA like Microsoft Authenticator Policy Updates: When an organization updates its security policies, it might require all users to re-register for MFA to comply with new standards Account Compromise: If there is a suspicion that an account has been compromised, re-registering for MFA can help secure the account by ensuring that only the legitimate user has access With Microsoft Entra, managing MFA re-registration is straightforward and can be done with an administrator to the organization’s tenant. How to require re-registration of MFA To reset or require re-registration of MFA in Microsoft Entra, please follow the steps below. Navigate to portal.azure.com with your nonprofit admin account. Select Microsoft Entra ID Select the drop-down for Manage In the left-hand menu bar select Users > Select the user's name that you want to reregister to MFA (not shown). Once in their profile, select Manage MFA authentication methods Select Require re-register multifactor authentication Congratulations! The user will now be required to re-register the account in the Microsoft Authentication app.Create an Internal Support Ticket Hub with Microsoft Lists, Forms & Power Automate
Setting Up the Support Ticket Portal First, we will set up the support ticket portal. This is where ticket requests will populate, be triaged, assigned and managed. It's a central location where the support team members can keep track of their tasks as well as keep the client informed through automated notifications upon status changes. Let's get started! 1. Create the Microsoft List: Navigate to Microsoft Lists from the Microsoft365.com App launcher in the upper left. Select the “+ New list” and choose the “Issue Tracker" template. Fill out the list information (name, description*, color*, icon*, and associate it with a team or save to your lists) and select create to make your form (*optional). In this case, associating the list with a team is required as it is needed for notification purposes later on in the tutorial. Review the list items from the template and customize the list to what your organization needs. Include columns that capture essential details such as issue description, priority level, assigned to, and status. Ensure the list is set up to store all necessary information for managing support tickets. There will be items you need captured from the person submitting the form as well as items to triage, assign, and track the status of the case. 2. Creating the Support Ticket Form In the list menu, select the "Forms" tab to create a new form. Customize the form by removing or unchecking questions that are designed for the support team, leaving only the questions needed from the person submitting the ticket. For example, you’d remove the Priority, Status and Assigned To fields from the form because those items are not determined by the submitter, but by the internal staff triaging the case. Ensure the form captures essential details such as the issue description, associated files, and contact information. 3. Enabling Notifications and Assigning Tickets In the form settings, select the toggle next to "Notify me" so that whenever a new item (support ticket) is submitted, you are immediately notified. This ensures that you don't miss an urgent request. Preview your form Check for changes or adjustments you’d like to make. If everything is good, congratulations! You’ve made your support ticket form! 4. The Workflow Process: Now that your form and list are created you can test out your new form and ticket portal. Grab the link to your new form by selecting the forms button again in the menu. Select the link sign to copy the link. Let's test things out. Fill out the form with information as if you are an employee submitting a ticket about an issue. Refresh and check your Microsoft List to make sure the form responses were automatically added. Triage the case. In the Microsoft List, double click on the form submission list item. Here, the support admin will triage the case by assigning it to a member of the support team, updating the status of the ticket to "In Progress" and assigning it a priority status. When a ticket is assigned, the assigned staff member receives a notification, ensuring they are aware of their new task. If they need to get in contact with the employee that submitted the case, they are able to come to the list item, and check for contact/email details in the email column. Team members can update the status of the ticket to "In Progress" when they start working on it and then to "Completed" once the issue is resolved. These status updates help track the progress of each ticket and ensure timely resolution. Congratulations! You have an internal support ticket portal and form. To further enhance the transparency and efficiency of your internal support ticket system, you can implement additional notifications to keep the requester informed about the status of their ticket. By setting up automated notifications in Power Automate for when a ticket is marked as "In Progress" and "Completed," you ensure that the requester is always aware of the current status of their issue. This not only improves communication but also boosts confidence in the support process, as employees feel assured that their concerns are being actively addressed and resolved. 5. Automating Notifications with Power Automate Create a Flow: From the Microsoft365.com app launcher, open Power Automate. Click "+ Create" and select "Automated Cloud Flow". Choose a flow name and set the trigger to "When an item or file is modified". Configure the Flow: On the canvas, select the trigger to enter the required data. The site address your Microsoft List is attached to and the list or library name. Next, we must add a trigger condition in order for the flow to only trigger when the status column has been changed. In the settings tab add the following trigger condition NOt(equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Status'], triggerOutputs()?['body/PreviousStatus'])) Return to the canvas to create a new action. Select the + sign under your trigger. In the search menu, search for the condition action. For the value of the condition, we want to choose the Status Value from the dynamic field (the lightning bolt). We want to make sure the condition states “Status Value is equal to In progress”. (Capitalization matters here so make sure the capitalization of “In progress” matches the way it is spelled on your Microsoft List”. In the "True" column of your condition we will add a new action. Select “Send an email (V2) Inside of your action select, “Switch to Advanced Mode” to be able to enter dynamic fields or fields directly associated with your form submission. In the "To" field, select the lightning bolt for a dynamic entry. And select the “Issue logged by Email”. This will add the email address of the form sender to the “To” field and who the notifications will be sent to. In the Subject field type and appropriate title such as “Support Ticket Status Update”. In the Body field type a message to the requester. For example, "Hello, you are receiving this message to notify you that your support ticket for" (dynamically insert the name of the issue) “has been changed to “In Progress”. At this point, the flow now sends notifications for when the status column has been modified to “In Progress. Now, let's do the same and send a notification for when the status has been changed to “Completed”. In the False column, we are going to add another condition. The values for the condition will be the same except where it once said, “In Progress” it will say “Completed”. You want the statement to read “Status value is equal to Completed”. In the true column add the same action for sending an email and fill out the details accordingly. Save and test your flow. Test and Deploy: Test the flow to ensure it works as expected. Select Test and choose Manually. This specific flow is triggered when the status column has been modified to “In Progress” or “Completed”. Test both separately to make sure both works. You will see green check marks and receive a notification to the email you provided earlier when filling out the form with sample data. In this example, I tested the flow by updating the status to “In Progress” so in this case I have green check marks along the left side because that follows the first conditions. The green check marks will follow the right-side path if I choose to test the “Completed” status. Here is a copy of the email that was sent to the inbox. Once satisfied, deploy the flow to automate the notification process, enhancing communication and satisfaction. Conclusion By leveraging Microsoft Lists and Forms, you can create a robust internal support ticket system that streamlines the process of submitting, triaging, and resolving support requests. The integration with Power Automate further enhances this system by automating notifications, ensuring that all parties are kept informed throughout the process. This setup not only improves efficiency but also boosts employee satisfaction by providing a transparent and responsive support system.Intro to Functions in Excel for Nonprofits
Getting Started with Functions Excel provides a wide range of built-in functions that simplify data management. You can find these functions in the Formulas tab under categories like Text, Date & Time, Financial, and more. The Insert Function tool also allows you to search for functions by name and get guided assistance in applying them. When typing a function in a cell, start with = followed by the function name (e.g., =SUM). Excel will suggest matching functions and provide a tooltip to help you understand how to use them. 💡 Copilot for Excel can now assist in automating many of these calculations. Instead of manually writing formulas, you can ask Copilot to "sum all donations in column B" or "find the average grant amount." Copilot intelligently applies the correct functions, making Excel even more powerful for nonprofit teams. However, understanding the behind-the-scenes of how these functions work is still valuable—especially if you need to troubleshoot, customize, or work in environments where AI assistance isn't available. Now, let’s look at some practical examples tailored for nonprofits. Example 1: Calculating Total Donations Nonprofits often track donations in spreadsheets to monitor fundraising performance. If you have a list of donations in column I, you can calculate the total amount received by clicking under the donation entries and entering the SUM function: =SUM(H2:H11) You can also enter =SUM and then highlight the area of data you want summed up. This formula adds up all donation amounts in the range H2 to H11, giving you the total funds raised. Press enter to reveal the SUM. 👉 Use Case: This is useful for monthly or annual donation tracking, allowing you to report on fundraising progress to donors and stakeholders. Example 2: Finding the Average Grant Amount If your nonprofit receives multiple grants, you might want to find the average grant amount to understand typical funding levels. The AVERAGE function makes this easy: =AVERAGE(H2:H11) This formula calculates the mean grant amount from a list of grants stored in column H. Press enter to reveal the AVERAGE. 👉 Use Case: This helps nonprofits set realistic fundraising goals and benchmark funding expectations for future grant applications. Example 3: Finding a Donor’s Most Recent Contribution If you have a donor database and need to find the most recent donation from a specific donor, you can use VLOOKUP. Suppose donor names are in column A and donation amounts are in column B. To find the donation amount from John Doe, use: =VLOOKUP("John Doe", A2:B26, 2, FALSE) Let's break down the formula =VLOOKUP("John Doe", A2:B26, 2, FALSE): "John Doe": This is the value you want to search for in the first column of the specified range. In this case, you are looking for "John Doe". A2:B26: This is the range of cells where you want to perform the search. The function will look for "John Doe" in the first column of this range (column A) and return a value from the second column (column B) in the same row. 2: This is the column index number from which to return the value. Since the range starts from column A and goes to column B, the second column (column B) is where the function will look to find the value to return. FALSE: This specifies that you want an exact match. If "John Doe" is not found exactly in column A, the function will return an error.sxx This searches for "John Doe" in column A and returns the corresponding donation amount from column B. Press enter to find John’s donation. 👉 Use Case: Nonprofits can use this to quickly look up donor contributions when sending thank-you emails or preparing personalized reports. Example 4: Counting the Number of Volunteers Registered Many nonprofits rely on volunteers, and tracking engagement is crucial. If you have a list of volunteer sign-ups in column D, you can use COUNTA to count the total number of registered volunteers: =COUNTA(D2:D21) (Imagine this is for a data set of a much larger quantity “D5062”) This function counts all non-empty cells in the given range, giving you the number of registered volunteers. Press enter to get the count. 👉 Use Case: This helps organizations track volunteer engagement for event planning, program management, and reporting to grant funders. Wrapping Up Excel functions can significantly improve efficiency in nonprofit operations, helping teams manage donations, grants, volunteers, and more. By mastering functions like SUM, AVERAGE, VLOOKUP, and COUNTA, nonprofit professionals can streamline their data management and focus more on their mission rather than administrative tasks. 💡 While Copilot for Excel can automate many of these tasks, understanding the "old-school" way of using functions helps you troubleshoot, refine formulas for custom needs, and work in environments where AI may not be available. Next Steps 📌 Try these formulas on your own nonprofit data 📌 Explore additional functions like IF, COUNTIF, and INDEX-MATCH 📌 Consider Power Query for more advanced nonprofit reporting needs For additional insights and tips on mastering Excel Fundamentals, be sure to explore the blog posts below. Master Excel Like a Pro: Must-Know Tutorials & Templates for Nonprofits | Microsoft Community Hub Getting Familiar with Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Community Hub Getting Familiar with Microsoft Excel - How to Build a Data Table | Microsoft Community Hub Excel functions (alphabetical) - Microsoft SupportHow to Install Microsoft 365 on Windows
Ready to get the most out of Microsoft 365 on your Windows PC? Whether you’re installing for the first time or need a refresher, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of downloading, installing, and activating Microsoft 365 in just a few simple steps. Get started and unlock the full potential of Office today.Renewing Your Azure Sponsorship Credits
Everything is an experiment until it has a deadline. That gives it a destination, context, and a reason. - Brian Eno British Record Producer, Composer, and Composer Brian Eno is no stranger to a deadline. Whether it is a atmospheric ambient track or theatric thriller. Music means tight deadlines to get streams, concerts, and albums pressed. So, naturally nonprofits also understand the siren song of a deadline vastly approaching. Microsoft prides itself on creating convenience for its customers with auto-renewals, workflows, you name it. However, there are sometimes when you may need to mark a calendar or two for keeping your benefits. This is imperative to avoid fees for anything running in your environment. Nonprofits who have claimed the generous annual $2000 Azure Sponsorship Credits will need to renew their benefits every year. Unfortunately, the credits do not renew on their own. Don't panic we got you covered. In this blog we will cover; how to see if you are up for a renewal, how to renew credits, and checking your balance and usage details. This comprehensive guide will keep you from missing a deadline, well when it comes to your credits that is. So, let's begin. To Renew or Not to Renew I will spare you the cliche of reciting the Sonnet 116 from Shakespeare. However, I will say that it is better to check if you need to renew than to acquire a fee. So, we will cover how you can check on the status of your Azure Sponsorship Subscription with the Nonprofit Hub. Grab a snack and pop by the portal with your Microsoft Nonprofit Account Credentials. Checking Your Status Navigate to Microsoft's Nonprofit Hub: https://nonprofit.microsoft.com. Next, In the top left corner next to the word "Nonprofits" click on the "I am looking for" dropdown menu, then select "Azure." In the new screen at the top, you will see two important dates. The "Grant start date" and "Grant end date" respectfully. Keep a reminder on your calendar for the end date. You must renew your subscription withing the renewal period for your Azure credits. If it is time to new you will see a notification at the top to renew your credits. Renewing Credits If you need to renew your credits simply scroll to the bottom of the page and select the renew button. If should be under the first column under the number one. You will see at the top of the screen that your credits have been renewed. You will receive an email stating that you have renewed your Azure Credits. Things to Consider You may not see the option to renew if you are months away from your renewal date. Once you have renewed your sponsorship you will receive an email sent to your Microsoft Nonprofit Account. Make sure to check your Outlook inbox and spam folder for the notification email. Credits can be renewed by the Organization's Global Administrator that registered. If you have any issues with renewing your benefits create a support ticket with Nonprofit Support at https://nonprofit.microsoft.com/contactus. Checking Your Balance Navigate to Microsoft Azure Sponsorship website: https://www.microsoftazuresponsorships.com. Next, click on the "Check Your Balance" to see your sponsorship balance. Underneath is the view will see. You will see your Azure Sponsorship Subscription ID and the total Azure Sponsorship amount totaling $2000. You can also see the usage details as well for your subscription. This is a good way to check the costs being deducted from your sponsorship. If you need more in depth tools you can use Azure's Cost management tools inside the Azure portal. Conclusion In conclusion, the Azure Sponsorship grant affords organizations to take a chunk out of their operational expenses. Allowing for easier transitions into the cloud while keeping security and scale not too far off the horizon. We learned how to renew the benefit and keep track of your resources cost and not get blindsided by a fee again. You can bookmark the links below for your convenience. I hope you found this blog helpful. See you next time for another deep down into the blue Azure wave. Hyperlinks Microsoft Nonprofit Hub | Microsoft Nonprofit Offers Microsoft Azure Sponsorships | Welcome Renew an Azure nonprofit grant - Microsoft Cloud for Nonprofit | Microsoft Learn
