Data Doesn’t Have to Be a 4-Letter Word.

We help nonprofit and mission-based organizations untangle messy data, get teams aligned, and use information to make decisions with confidence.

Don’t Let Your Data Hold You Back.

When data creates confusion instead of clarity, it slows decisions, disengages teams, and hides the impact you’re trying to make.

Lost in a sea of data

Frustrated by unclear organization goals

Disengaged teams and missed opportunities

Duplicating efforts in multiple systems

Unsure how to communicate program impact

Current data isn’t telling you what you need to know

We’re Here to Help.

Make sense of disconnected data and turn it into direction

Align people, processes, and data so decisions are made together, not handed down after the fact.

Cut through the clutter to free up time for what matters most

Uncover the stories behind your numbers

Build a culture where data sparks curiosity, not fear or compliance.

We start with how work really happens.

We begin by understanding how decisions are made and where information gets stuck.

Why People Work With Us.

We don’t lead with tools. We lead with people.

We make thinking visible

We work out loud. Teams explore, debate, sketch, and decide together; so insight is built, not delivered.

We don’t disappear into analysis and return with a slide deck.

We design for use, not for show.

We design tools and processes that fit into real work, not ideal conditions.

We don’t build systems that sit on a shelf.

If it’s not useful, it won’t last.

We’ve done this work.

We understand the pressure, the time constraints, and how quickly good ideas collapse under complexity.

We’ve worked in front-line, operational, and leadership roles.

See how we think about these dynamics in Data-ish, our monthly newsletter .

When People Turn to Us

We’re often brought in when teams need clarity around data, direction, and decisions.

Understanding and Communicating Impact

When the data exists but the story isn’t clear, we help teams interpret what it means and decide what they want others to understand or do.

Making Sense of Data Systems and Tools

When information lives across multiple platforms, spreadsheets, or departments, we help align people, processes, and tools so data becomes usable and connected.

Facilitating Data Culture and Evaluation Strategy

When teams need alignment, we design workshops that help people interpret data together, agree on what matters, and move forward with shared clarity.

  • “BOTN presented the fresh perspective we needed to lift us out of ‘industry jargon’ and help us communicate our value and impact in a way that I believe will help us resonate with a much broader audience.”

    Beverly Hardin, CEO, Landmarks for Families

  • “BOTN is a powerhouse team with a gift for making people feel seen and heard.”

    Yvonne Casteñeda, LICSW, MSW, Director, Community-Based Initiatives, Boston College School of Social Work

  • “Our resource development team is looking at and thinking about our data differently since we walked through our data with BOTN. ”

    Jim Hoyt, Executive Director, Pawtucket RI Boys & Girls Club

  • “Back of the Napkin Consulting helped to make what can be an incredibly complex process, productive and manageable, especially given the difficulty of leading a Logic Model design process online. Dana and her team provided seamless facilitation support, clear guidance, and structure for the discussions that will feed into our annual planning process.”

    Leslie Cordes, Former Vice President of Programs, Ceres

  • “As one prominent Massachusetts legislator explained when asked why [we’ve] been so successful in accessing state funds, “dollars follow data.” I would tweak that to say ‘dollars follow Dana.’”

    Anthony Abdelahad, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Ventry Associates

  • “Back of the Napkin’s work has been an invaluable tool in our continuous efforts to become a stronger, more effective organization."

    Jeff Breslin, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Baltimore

Questions we often hear

  • The issue usually isn’t the amount of data, it’s a lack of clarity about what questions it’s meant to answer.


    We help teams step back, make sense of what they already have, and focus on information that supports decisions.

  • Yes. We help organizations create evaluation plans that meet funder expectations while still reflecting how their work actually operates. Our goal is to make sure evaluation supports learning and decision-making internally, not just reporting.scription text goes here

  • Description tMany organizations assume the problem is their data system when it’s really about alignment, process, or clarity. We help teams assess what’s working, what isn’t, and whether a system change is truly needed before investing time and money in new tools.ext goes here

Ready to get clearer about your data and direction?

A short, low-pressure conversation to understand what’s going on and what might help.

A free 5-minute self-guided check offering customized resources, based on your results, you can use right away.