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Sopact Academy

From Data Collection to Decisions You Can Explain

Move beyond response collection. Learn to connect records, analyze feedback and build reliable reporting around the recurring work your team manages.

Academy / Foundations

Start with one question

From Data Collection to Decisions You Can Explain

Your information lives in several systems. Your team owns the deadline. Learn what needs to connect, what AI needs to know and how to keep the work manageable.

Begin lesson 1 →See the six lessons ↓

Free · 6 lessons · Two introductory videos · Work at your own pace

One connected learning path

Understand the work. Put it into practice.

1. Foundation →

Understand connected data, AI and the decisions your team needs to own.

2. Impact Measurement & Reporting →

Choose what to measure, check the evidence and explain what changed.

3. Your workflow →

Apply the same approach to your members, programs, partners or another workflow.

Start where you need help. Review, action and follow-up are built into the lessons. There is no additional improvement framework to learn.

Build one plan, a step at a time.

  1. 01Find the gapOne recurring decision and the records needed to support it.→
  2. 02Understand AI approachesA five-check test for the tools you use or evaluate.→
  3. 03Build contextA small evidence plan, five field definitions and a record-linking rule.→
  4. 04Manage the workAn owner, reviewer and next-cycle checklist for one workflow.→
  5. 05Measure changeOne outcome measure with its population, timing and limitation.→
  6. 06Report and choose a workflowA short evidence-backed report brief and a bounded pilot plan.→
Why learn this with Sopact?

Sopact focuses on AI-native data collection and real insight. These lessons explain the work behind that promise: maintaining definitions, history, evidence and authorized team ownership as collection repeats. You learn to evaluate the full process, including setup and review, without needing to buy software.

Already know your workflow? Choose a practical course →

Put this guide into practice.

Bring one workflow.
Let’s work through it together.

Explore the collection, context and review process your team needs.

Talk through your workflow →

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Prepare data governance before using AI
Prepare your data governance
nonprofit-data-governance-before-ai
Feedback
Foundation
Prepare an evidence register and a tested governance baseline before applying AI to program data.
How to Turn Findings into Action and Check What Changes
The Loop — the method in one read
the-loop
Loop
The method
0
One continuous method for reliable, traceable AI reporting across case, application, grant, and program workflows: collect clean, analyze on arrival, and improve in time.
For growing data collection, connected analysis and recurring reporting
What Is Case Intelligence?
What Is Case Intelligence?
what-is-case-intelligence
Case
Foundation
1
One current, traceable record for each person—connecting intake, services, notes, surveys, documents, outcomes, decisions, and follow-up.
Workforce and training · Youth and mentoring · Case management · Scholarships · Accelerators · Education · Nonprofit programs
What Is Grant Intelligence?
What Is Grant Intelligence?
what-is-grant-intelligence
Grant
Foundation
1
One connected evidence record from application and committee review through the awarded grant, grantee reporting, renewal, and board accountability.
Foundations and grantmakers · Public grant programs · Scholarships and fellowships · Accelerators
What Is Portfolio Intelligence?
What Is Portfolio Intelligence?
what-is-portfolio-intelligence
Portfolio
Strategy
1
A source-linked portfolio view that connects each investee or grantee's agreed plan, reporting cadence, evidence, risks, and results.
Impact funds and investors · Foundations with grant portfolios · Family offices · Blended-finance vehicles
What Is Connected Data Intelligence?
What Is Connected Data Intelligence?
connected-data-intelligence
Feedback
Foundation
1
Keep evidence from surveys, files, notes, documents, systems, sites, and reporting periods connected to one continuing record.
For growing data collection, connected analysis and recurring reporting
Impact Measurement & Reporting: Build Evidence into Your Work
What Is Impact Measurement and Reporting?
embedded-impact-measurement
Reporting
Align
1
Define intended change, align organization and funder context, govern measures, interpret evidence, and produce traceable reports for decisions.
For growing data collection, connected analysis and recurring reporting
Build a repeatable collect, review and improve cycle
Methodology — continuous, not annual
loop-methodology
Loop
The method
1
The continuous collect–analyze–improve cycle, adopted as an experiment: start with the step that already pays and add one data-collection step at a time.
Teams tired of rebuilding spreadsheets and forms who want a measurement system that compounds instead of resetting.
How to Build a Theory of Change with AI: Prompts and Examples
Build a Theory of Change You Can Test
how-to-build-a-theory-of-change
Reporting
Align
2
How Do You Onboard a Portfolio and Track Results?
Agree the Portfolio Reporting Plan
onboard-portfolio-lock-impact-agreement-track-results
Portfolio
Data Dictionary
2
Test whether an AI-assisted result is repeatable and correct
Reliability — the same answer twice
loop-reliability
Loop
The method
2
Determinism as a feature: the same question over the same data returns the same answer every run — the opposite of a generic AI chat that drifts.
Anyone who has watched a general AI tool give two different numbers for the same question and needs results they can stand behind.
Design application intake around a defensible decision
Design an Application Process
how-to-design-an-application-process
Grant
Foundation
2
How to Structure Stakeholder Data: Four Common Patterns
Choose your record structure
which-shape-is-your-data
Feedback
Foundation
2
Map the people, observations and relationships your workflow needs before collecting data.
How to Build a Logic Model: Steps, Example and AI Prompt
Build a Logic Model You Can Use
how-to-build-a-logic-model
Reporting
Align
3
How Do You Onboard a Grant or RFP Program?
Onboard a Grant or RFP Program
how-to-onboard-a-grant-rfp-program
Grant
Foundation
3
Turn your theory of change into a data-collection plan
Turn a Theory of Change into a Data-Collection Workflow
theory-of-change-to-data-collection-workflow
Case
Foundation
3
Build a portfolio data dictionary without forcing false comparisons
Map Portfolio Data to Reporting Standards
portfolio-data-dictionary-standards-mapping
Portfolio
Chapters
3
Keep a clear trail from a finding to its evidence
Traceability & Transparency
loop-traceability
Loop
The method
3
Every figure links back to the exact response, note, or document it came from — a full audit trail from headline result to raw evidence.
Teams whose numbers get scrutinized — by funders, boards, auditors, or standards — and who need to answer where did this come from on the spot.
How to Change Survey Questions Without Losing Comparability
Change questions with a clear history
change-questions-without-breaking-the-record
Feedback
Control
3
Create a question-change log and decide how old and new versions should appear in reports.
Programme & MEL leads · Teams whose questionnaire has ossified · Anyone evaluating a platform where configuration is a purchased service
Five Dimensions of Impact: How to Review Your Evidence
Use the Five Dimensions to Test the Evidence
five-dimensions-of-impact
Reporting
Align
4
How Do You Design a Grant Rubric and Eligibility Rules?
Design Your Rubric & Eligibility Rules
grant-rubric-eligibility-rules
Grant
Foundation
4
How to Measure Outcomes Across an Investment or Grant Portfolio
Frame Outcomes Over Outputs at Portfolio Level
frame-outcomes-portfolio-level
Portfolio
Chapters
4
Adapt the learning cycle to your workflow
Flexibility — one method, four workflows
loop-flexibility
Loop
The method
4
The same collect–analyze–improve cycle, shaped to four kinds of impact work — case, grant, portfolio, and feedback — each shown end to end.
Anyone deciding where the Loop fits their work, who wants to see the full path from messy input to a report they can defend.
How to Collect Feedback Offline and Keep Records Connected
Collect offline and reconcile the batch
collect-feedback-offline
Feedback
Connect
4
Build a field protocol and reconcile a test batch across devices, visits and delayed uploads.
Field & multi-site programs · Low-connectivity contexts · Nonprofits collecting in person
How Do You Design an Intake Form for a Baseline?
Design an Intake Form That Captures a Usable Baseline
intake-form-usable-baseline
Case
Nonprofit Track
5
Turn a proposed outcome into a reporting definition
Outcomes vs Outputs
frame-outcomes-over-outputs
Grant
Foundation
5
Impact Due Diligence: Review Evidence Before Investment
Pre-Investment Due Diligence & Screening
pre-investment-due-diligence-screening
Portfolio
Chapters
5
Plan and review your first workflow pilot
The Guarantee — first workflow in 2 months
loop-guarantee
Loop
The method
5
How to Build an Organization Evidence Model
Build the Organization Evidence Model
build-organization-evidence-model
Reporting
Align
5
How to Analyze Documents as Evidence: Sources, Context and Review
Read documents as traceable evidence
read-documents-as-evidence
Feedback
Connect
5
Create a document register and reviewed findings with source locations, context and explicit exceptions.
How to Clean Open-Ended Survey Responses Without Losing Meaning
Clean responses and define the denominator
clean-open-ended-survey-responses
Feedback
Clean
6
Create a cleaning log, response-status table and reproducible report statement.
How to Review Participant Support Needs Mid-Program
Spot At-Risk Participants Mid-Program
spot-at-risk-participants-mid-program
Case
Nonprofit Track
6
How to Write a Nonprofit Grant Application: Template and Example
Grant Application for Nonprofits
grant-application-for-nonprofit-organizations
Grant
Foundation
6
Design quarterly portfolio reporting that investees can complete
Collect Investee Reporting Without Repeated Rework
collect-investee-reporting-without-burden
Portfolio
Chapters
6
How to Build a Funder Context Profile: Research to Reporting
Build a Sourced Funder Context Profile
build-funder-context-profile
Reporting
Align
6
How Do You Measure Change at Exit?
Measure Change at Exit (Not Just Completion)
measure-change-at-exit
Case
Nonprofit Track
7
How Do You Collect Applications Clean at the Source?
Collect Applications Clean at the Source
collect-applications-clean-at-source
Grant
Collect
7
How to Follow Up on Missing Investee Data
How to Follow Up on Missing Investee Data
chase-missing-investee-data
Portfolio
Chapters
7
How to Analyze Multilingual Feedback and Evaluate Software
Analyze and review multilingual feedback
analyze-multilingual-feedback
Feedback
Clean
7
Build a language review sheet and test software on original responses, translations, codes and reporting bases.
Multi-country programs · Multilingual survey data · Global networks & chapters
How to Define Impact Metrics Your Team and Funder Can Use
Define Measures the Organization and Funder Can Both Use
define-impact-metrics-funders-want
Reporting
Align
7
Survey Attrition in Longitudinal Studies: Track Missing Waves
Track missing waves and matched outcomes
survey-attrition-longitudinal-studies
Feedback
Read
8
Build a wave-status register, compare response groups and report paired change with coverage and limitations.
How to Use Mentor Notes to Review Participant Support
Use mentor notes for support review
mentor-notes-early-warning
Case
Nonprofit Track
8
How Do You Reduce Applicant Burden?
Reduce Applicant Burden
reduce-applicant-burden-auto-clarification
Grant
Collect
8
Find inconsistencies in portfolio returns before reporting
Analyze Investee Reports Across Sources
read-investee-reports-multi-signal
Portfolio
Chapters
8
Impact Metric Definitions: A Practical Worksheet and Example
Give Every Number One Definition
one-definition-for-every-number
Reporting
Define
8
How to Connect Quantitative and Qualitative Survey Data
Connect scores and comments
connect-quantitative-qualitative-survey-data
Feedback
Read
9
Build a linked analysis view and joint display, with clear groups, reporting bases and evidence limits.
How to Calculate SROI as New Evidence Arrives
Calculate SROI — Live, Sourced, and Honest
calculate-sroi-live
Case
Nonprofit Track
9
How to Collect Grantee Reports with Less Burden
Collect Grantee Reports Without Burden
collect-grantee-reporting-without-burden
Grant
Collect
9
Keep company, investment and reporting history connected
Track Results Against the Impact Agreement
track-investees-impact-agreement-variance
Portfolio
Chapters
9
Turn Reporting Requirements into Evidence: A Practical Mapping Guide
Turn Requirements Into Collectable Evidence
turn-reporting-requirements-into-evidence
Reporting
Define
9
Connect baseline, follow-up and different rater perspectives
Analyze pre, mid and post surveys
analyze-pre-mid-post-survey-data
Feedback
Read
10
Build a matched pre/mid/post analysis, interpret score movement and retain clear rules for missing waves.
How to Report a Job-Training Program to Grant Funders
Turn a Cohort into a Funder Impact Report
job-training-grant-impact-report
Case
Nonprofit Track
10
How to Follow Up on Missing Grantee Data
Chase Missing Grantee Data
chase-missing-grantee-data
Grant
Collect
10
How to Build Useful Portfolio Impact Monitoring Alerts
Build Useful Portfolio Impact Alerts
portfolio-risk-monitoring-alerts
Portfolio
Chapters
10
How to Collect Clean Data Inside Your Workflow
Collect Clean Evidence Inside the Workflow
collect-clean-data-at-the-source
Reporting
Embed
10
How to Analyze Longitudinal Survey Data
Analyze longitudinal survey data
analyze-longitudinal-survey-data
Feedback
Read
11
Build a continuing analysis record with clear time scales, observed trajectories and limits.
How to Turn a Job Description into a Requirements Checklist
Clarify employer requirements
job-description-requirements-checklist
Case
Social Enterprise Track
11
Review applications with evidence, clear criteria and human judgment
Review Without Reviewer Bias
review-applications-without-reviewer-bias
Grant
Analyze
11
How to Ask AI Questions About Your Portfolio Data
Ask AI Questions About Portfolio Data
ask-your-portfolio-anything
Portfolio
Chapters
11
How to Keep Impact Reporting Numbers Consistent
Get Stable Results From Governed Data
same-numbers-every-time
Reporting
Read
11
How Do You Analyze a Batch of Grant Applications?
Analyze a Whole Round
how-to-analyze-a-batch-of-grant-applications
Grant
Analyze
12
How to Measure Outcome Duration and Drop-Off
Measure outcome duration and drop-off
measure-outcome-duration-drop-off
Feedback
Read
12
Build a dated outcome claim, distinguish missingness from outcome loss and test forecast assumptions.
How to Score Candidate–Role Matches with a Clear Rubric
Review candidate–role evidence
score-candidate-role-matches-without-bias
Case
Social Enterprise Track
12
Evidence Traceability: Link Every Report Claim to Its Source
Trace Every Result Back to Its Evidence
where-every-number-came-from
Reporting
Read
12
How Do You Roll Up a Grant Portfolio?
Aggregate Outcomes Across a Grant Portfolio
how-to-roll-up-a-grant-portfolio
Portfolio
Chapters
13
How to Report Job Placements to Impact Investors
Turn a Cohort into a Social-Enterprise Investor Report
job-placement-investor-impact-report
Case
Social Enterprise Track
13
How Do You Track Reviewer Conflicts of Interest?
Track Reviewer Conflicts of Interest
track-conflicts-of-interest-audit
Grant
Analyze
13
How to Write a Donor Report: Format, Evidence and Example
Design a Report for a Real Funding Decision
donor-report-funders-trust
Reporting
Decide
13
Build a report brief and claim-and-evidence table before drafting. Explain delivery, outcomes, spending, limitations and next actions.
Program managers, grant leads and reporting teams
AI Data Access Controls: What Your Assistant May See
Control what the assistant can access
what-the-assistant-may-see
Feedback
Prove
13
Define task-specific access, test synthetic records and verify report-sharing boundaries.
How to Write an Evidence-Based Impact Narrative
Write a cited impact narrative
impact-narrative-funder-report-cited
Feedback
Prove
14
Build and check a report paragraph using a claim-and-source table, appropriate quotations and clear limitations.
How Do You Read a Grantee Report?
Read a Grantee Report
read-grantee-report-multi-signal
Grant
Analyze
14
How to Use SROI Across a Portfolio Without Double Counting
Use SROI Across a Portfolio
monetize-impact-sroi-across-levels
Portfolio
Chapters
14
How to Write a Funder Report with AI—and Check It
Generate the Audience-Specific Report From Evidence
assistant-writes-the-funder-report
Reporting
Decide
14
Draft from approved sources, check the claims, and save an accountable report version. Bring the brief from the previous lesson.
Program managers, grant leads and reporting teams
How Do You Compute Grantee Variance?
Compute Grantee Variance
how-to-compute-grantee-variance
Grant
Analyze
15
When Is a Monetary Value on Social Impact Credible?
Add a Credible Dollar Value With SROI
credible-dollar-value-on-impact
Reporting
Optional method
15
Prepare a valuation brief. Decide what the evidence supports, what needs more work, and when an outcome account is enough.
Program, evaluation and investment teams considering social-value estimates
Keep a person’s history connected across programs and staff changes
Follow one person over time
one-person-followed-for-years
Feedback
Shapes
15
Build a participant record that preserves episodes, dates, versions and missingness across repeated collection.
How Do You Build an SROI Value Map?
Build an SROI Value Map
how-to-build-an-sroi-value-map
Reporting
Optional method
16
Build a first value map, keep missing evidence visible, and give each unresolved outcome a next action.
Evaluation, program and investment teams preparing an SROI analysis
How Do You Track Budget and Actual Spend?
Track Budget vs Actual Spend
how-to-track-budget-invoices-actual-spend
Grant
Analyze
16
Multi-Rater Feedback: Connect Perspectives and Protect Context
Connect several perspectives on one person
several-people-describing-one-person
Feedback
Shapes
16
Design subject-rater relationships, reporting rules and a tested multi-perspective feedback record.
How Do You Pick a Financial Proxy for SROI?
Pick a Defensible Financial Proxy
how-to-pick-a-financial-proxy-for-sroi
Reporting
Optional method
17
Compare candidate valuation sources and document why one fits your outcome, stakeholder and reporting period.
Evaluation and reporting teams selecting financial proxies
How Do You Analyze Grantee Reporting Longitudinally?
Analyze Grantee Reporting Over Time
analyze-grantee-reporting-longitudinal
Grant
Analyze
17
How Do You Compare Investees When Each One Defines Its Metrics Differently?
Compare & Benchmark Investees
compare-benchmark-investees
Portfolio
Chapters
17
Cross-Program Reporting: Combine Results Without Losing Meaning
Combine evidence across programs
many-programs-one-picture
Feedback
Shapes
17
Build a defensible cross-program result with comparable measures, correct denominators and documented exclusions.
How Do You Calculate the SROI Ratio?
Calculate the SROI Ratio With a Range
how-to-calculate-the-sroi-ratio
Reporting
Optional method
18
Build a reproducible SROI calculation, test its assumptions and explain the result in a reviewed report.
Evaluation and reporting teams reviewing an SROI calculation
How to Read Form 990 for a Grant Review
Read a 990 for Compliance
how-to-read-a-990-for-compliance
Grant
Analyze
18
How Do You Build Dashboards and Compliance Reports?
Build Dashboards and Reviewed Reports
dashboards-sroi-compliance-reports
Portfolio
Chapters
18
Start with a member question
Run a member-network survey
member-network-survey
Feedback
Shapes
18
Design and test a member reporting cycle with continuing records, coverage checks and authorized results.
Ask Your Whole Grant Round Anything (Assistant + MCP)
Ask Your Whole Grant Round Anything
ask-your-grant-round-anything
Grant
Analyze
19
Produce portfolio reports that trace back to approved evidence
Produce the LP and Board Impact Report
portfolio-lp-board-impact-report
Portfolio
Chapters
19
How Do You Build a Grant Audit Trail?
Build a Grant Audit Trail
grant-audit-compliance-trail
Grant
Communicate
20
How Do You Connect Your Stack Without Lock-In?
Connect Systems and Test Data Portability
portfolio-connect-your-stack
Portfolio
Chapters
20
How Do You Produce Grant Compliance Reports?
Produce Compliance Reports
grant-compliance-regulatory-reports
Grant
Communicate
21
How Do You Roll Grantees Into a Board Report?
Roll Grantees Into a Board Report
roll-grantees-funder-board-report
Grant
Communicate
22
How Do You Build Grant Dashboards and Maps?
Grant Dashboards & Maps
grant-dashboards-geographic-mapping
Grant
Communicate
23