Board and funder reporting readiness checklist
Stop reporting fire drills by locking in clear metric definitions, known sources, and named ownership so your board and funders get numbers they can trust.
What it is
A practical, repeatable checklist you can run every month and quarter to make reporting defensible, even when people, programs, or systems change. It drives four simple deliverables: a one-page metric definition sheet, a data source map, a reporting cadence, and a known gaps log.
Who it is for
Executive leaders, ops and program owners, and anyone responsible for board and funder reporting who is tired of mismatched numbers, drifting definitions, and last-minute scrambles.
A simple reporting kit and cadence that reduces last-minute scrambles and makes trends comparable across time.
A lightweight control step for quality and credibility (basic checks plus a clear preparer, reviewer, and executive owner).
A “known gaps” log that lets you be honest about what’s missing, who owns the fix, and when it gets cleaned up.
What you will walk away with
FAQs
How many metrics should we report to the board each month?
Aim for 8 to 12 stable metrics on one page. Put extra detail in an appendix so the board can learn and act on a consistent set.
What’s the difference between a metric definition sheet and a data dictionary?
A definition sheet is the minimum you need now: what counts, the rules, the formula, the owner, and what can break. A data dictionary is broader and more technical across systems and fields.
What if funders ask for different definitions of the same metric?
Keep one internal definition as your anchor, then create a simple crosswalk for each funder that clearly states what’s different. Don’t rewrite your internal scorecard every time.
Do we need new tools to stop using spreadsheets for reporting?
Not to get started. Readiness comes from stable definitions, clear sources, and a standard reporting pack. Improvements often show up before any tool change.
How do we handle mid-year changes to programs, eligibility, or intake channels?
Mark the break in the trend. Version your definitions with dates, and separate “old method” versus “new method” for a period so you stay honest and comparable.
How long does it take to get reporting under control?
Plan on 2 to 4 weeks to build the kit and run a clean cycle. Deeper fixes usually take 1 to 2 quarters, especially if you’re consolidating intake channels or cleaning legacy data.
Get the board and funder reporting readiness checklist
We will email you the Board and Funder Reporting Readiness Checklist and useful follow-up resources. Unsubscribe anytime.
Turn your template output into clear next steps
In 30 minutes, we will review your top 3 bottlenecks and top 3 trust risks. You will leave with a prioritized next step that fits your mission and capacity.
30 minutes. Clear priorities and a next step you can act on.