Glossary B Business Intelligence (BI)

Business Intelligence (BI)

Business Intelligence (BI) refers to processes and software tools that analyze organizational data to generate insights for strategic and operational decision-making. BI platforms collect, analyze, and visualize data from various sources, providing a solid foundation for informed decisions.

Effective Business Intelligence solutions rely on an integrated system architecture, where data from all critical tools (e.g., CRM, ERP, web) is consolidated for analysis. Compared to basic analytics tools like Google Looker Studio, BI platforms such as Microsoft Power BI or Tableau empower nonprofits to conduct more in-depth analyses - covering aspects like transaction effectiveness, accounting entries, or fees. This approach addresses the growing donor demand for transparency and traceability while also boosting the effectiveness and efficiency of fundraising efforts.