In 2024, MNA began gathering demographic participant information for our feedback surveys. This effort is part of our Building Belonging workplan, and is an attempt to gather data on how our trainings resonate with diverse audiences. In lieu of collecting demographic data on event registrations, which we felt would be burdensome to the registration process, we opted to add an optional demographic question on our universal training feedback survey. This process also allows us to better anonymize demographic data. You can read more about our data collection practices here.
This data is just a starting point to understand where and with whom our training experiences are resonating. In the future, we’ll build on the information we’ve collected to improve and target our work. A snapshot of the data can be viewed below.
Please note this data was gathered through opt-in methods and does not represent a statistically significant sample. We are sure there are additional ways to understand these numbers and the feedback we’ve received. Below are the lessons we are already working on implementing.
Takeaways:
1. We are grateful that over half of feedback survey participants chose to provide us with demographic information. We look forward to continuing to be able to collect and analyze how our programming meets everyone’s needs.
2. Respondents who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) are less satisfied with peer connection offered in courses (56%) compared to (62%) of all respondents. This supports theories around belonging within adult learning spaces geared towards dominant culture and can exacerbate feelings of isolation.
3. Training topics in 2024 around equity were often geared toward an entry level white audience, leaving BIPOC participants or those with prior experience or expertise less satisfied with the training.
4. BIPOC respondents value MNA training as less impactful and meaningful professionally and organizationally, as observed in impact question and disparity in satisfaction of resources provided. This naturally follows from observations above and highlights the work MNA needs to do to better understand and serve the needs of BIPOC led and serving organizations.
5. Organizations led by and serving rural areas have higher than average satisfaction with MNA events, likely reflecting concerted efforts in the past three years to develop and deliver rural specific content and training. We hope to take this lesson and build more tailored information and accessible experiences for BIPOC audiences.
MNA will take this information seriously as we plan for future trainings and events. Our next immediate steps are:
1. Invest in offering more affinity spaces within trainings when appropriate or as additional offerings to enhance opportunities for peer connection.
2. Identify specific training opportunities that resonate for minoritized nonprofit leaders and staff through continued engagement, feedback, and conversation. Part of our success in rural programming is likely tied to the careful creation and in-person nature of programming to meet participants’ needs. Identifying how to replicate this success with other populations will require ongoing communication and intention.
3. Review our strategy for rural engagement and consider how we might replicate success for BIPOC and other underserved communities.
4. Set a goal for improvement in our 2025 demographic data and training feedback.
Total responses:
General Feedback: 56% of respondents chose to provide demographic data
Impact Survey: 88% chose to provide demographic data
Training Feedback
| Training Feedback Survey Responses | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | BIPOC Respondents | Orgs Serving LGBTQIA2S+, People with Disabilities, and/or BIPOC communities | Orgs Serving Rural Only | |
| Total Respondents | 268 | 23 | 31 | 60 |
| Net Promoter Score | 63 | 61 | 65 | 67 |
| Percentage of respondents who reported satisfaction with the following: | ||||
| Met Advertised Description | 95% | 95% | 91% | 97% |
| Satisfaction with Content | 95% | 95% | 93% | 96% |
| Satisfaction with Resources | 92% | 86% | 87% | 90% |
| Satisfaction with Practice Time | 70% | 69% | 68% | 75% |
| Satisfaction with Peer Connection | 62% | 56% | 61% | 63% |
| Satisfaction with Course Comms | 91% | 100% | 96% | 97% |
Impact Report
| Impact Survey | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | BIPOC Respondents | Orgs Serving LGBTQIA2S+, People with Disabilities, and/or BIPOC communities | Orgs Serving Rural Only | |
| Total Respondents | 125 | 15 | 19 | 42 |
| Respondents who identified a takeaway | 74% Yes | 67% Yes | 58% Yes | 86% Yes |
| Level of change that occurred as a result of the class | 15% minimal | 8% minimal | 34% minimal | 12.5% minimal |
| 76% some | 92% some | 76% some | 75% some | |
| 9% high | 0% high | 0% high | 12.5% high | |
| Barriers to implementing change | Time (43%) and Resources or funding (32%) | Split between all more evenly, time at 27%, with others split at 20% | Time (37%) and Resources or funding (37%) | Time (45%), Resources or funding (43%) |
| Perception that participation in MNA offerings supported you professionally | 73% at 5-6 | 60% at 5-6 | 79% at 5-6 | 78% at 5-6 |
| Perception that participation in MNA's offerings supported your organization's effectiveness | 64% at 5-6 | 60% at 5-6 | 68% at 5-6 | 76% at 5-6 |
Do you notice something different in the data above?
If you have questions or feedback on our reporting of data, please reach out to srogala@mtnonprofit.org. Interested in helping steer our ship? Learn how you can serve on MNA’s Training and Education Advisory Committee (TEACh).
In 2025, MNA has launched our BIPOC Affinity Group. Learn more and register here.
Upcoming trainings also include our Creating Culturally Safe Spaces for Indigenous Populations, with a special affinity offering for BIPOC individuals.
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