Making Data Work for Nonprofits: Q&A on Constellation Data Solutions

We’ve been thrilled to share the expansion of our data services work and its rebrand to Constellation Data Solutions. Too many nonprofits are held back by inconsistent data – duplicate records, outdated emails, complex extractions, and more. It keeps you from doing what’s most important: telling your story to your supporters and inviting them to be a part of it.

MissionWired’s data services teams have developed a one-of-a-kind solution that’s made a tremendous difference for nonprofits, and we’re eager to bring it to more of you.

Meet Constellation Data Solutions

Constellation Data Solutions (CDS) – MissionWired’s fully managed data service – is built by fundraisers, for fundraisers, to align data and meet the fundraising goals of nonprofit organizations. We work inside your tech stack or ours to manage your data and automate workflows to keep you focused on what matters most: your mission. Learn more about all the data solutions we offer.

To understand how impactful this service is for nonprofits, marketing VP Beth Miller sat down with SVP and Principal Shannon Murphy and CTO Todd Plants to discuss what makes Constellation Data Solutions unique.

What do you think sets Constellation Data Solutions apart?

SM: What sets us apart is our team. Every Constellation data manager is both a skilled coder and a seasoned fundraising data expert. It’s this rare combination of technical expertise and deep sector experience that allows us to deliver effective solutions tailored to your mission. As a managed data service, our team is able to work strategically with our partners and remain flexible to help them achieve their goals and deadlines. We’re able to be nimble and respond to what’s happening in the fundraising environment without setting parameters on how long data will take.

We’re also able to improve data processes and output, improving donor relationships and pipeline development. For example, if there are differences in data counts, we can have those conversations and work directly with strategists on it. This allows us to ensure donors are in the segments they’re supposed to be – and then they get the accurate creative and ask amounts.

TP: Our teams have extensive experience with managing data for nonprofit organizations. After seeing smart people operating at high volume, we implemented systems that scale this expertise for more organizations. Basically, we create custom, bespoke outputs every day while remaining flexible and able to turn on a dime. We know fundraising changes quickly, so we can too. Some other companies have prescribed time lengths for data pulls, but we don’t. We want to help nonprofits maximize fundraising whenever they need to.

How is the Constellation team able to remain nimble?

SM: The Constellation team is not just coders; they understand the fundraising data inside and out including the overall environment and when and how data is refreshed to help nonprofits secure a second gift or upgrade support. Our technologists can work directly with strategists – MissionWired or otherwise – and collaborate on the best outcomes for our partners.

TP: MissionWired has serious data chops. We’ve been able to bring that to bear in Constellation because our team has such rich experience in this space. We’ve seen all the data challenges before and can systemize solutions. With our broad team of experts, we can pull in the right expertise and are continuously developing new tools to improve processes and scale.

How has Constellation made an impact for clients?

SM: We’ve had a great partnership with Planned Parenthood Federation of America, American Diabetes Association, and Hillel International – as well as Doctors Without Borders (MSF USA), who we have helped get data quickly during emergency response moments. For example, MSF needed to send an urgent appeal at the beginning of the Gaza war in 2023, and our teams were able to move quickly and delivered their final data in just two days.

What do you want the nonprofit sector to know about this service?

SM: Constellation Data Solutions can work as an extension of nonprofit teams. And we know this is particularly important right now. We’re here to help and have a deep bench of experts to rely on. Nonprofits shouldn’t have to worry about their data and will just hear from our team that “the data has been sent.” That way, organizations can spend more time focused on their missions.

TP: Our teams are exceptional technologists, and we’re always getting better at what we do. We have designs to continue scaling this impactful area of our work and are ready to tackle any data project. If you have a data challenge, come talk to us!

If you’re ready to align your data, reach out to us today for a consultation!