Getting Started
This page provides step-by-step instructions for using the Nonprofit Works Wizard , which will walk you through the steps to choose your data and generate a figure.
What data is available?
During this beta release phase, the site provides access to data on:
- Nonprofit paid employment from 1990-2012 by state, county (through 2011), and industry.
- Total annual wages paid by nonprofits from 1990-2012 by state, county (through 2011), and industry.
In what ways can I compare these data?
When you first visit the site, you can immediately create figures comparing either nonprofit employment or nonprofit wages across any of the following: up to five geographical regions in a single industry and a single year; up to five industries in a single geographical region and a single year; or up to five years in a single geographical region and a single industry.
Can I compare more data points?
Yes! By creating a free user account, you will be able to make more robust comparisons, including nonprofit employment or wages across a maximum of five selections in any two of the available dimensions – geographical regions, industries, or years. The third dimension will be limited to a single selection, however.
What visualization options will I have?
During the beta release phase, you will be able to choose a visualization in the form of a bar chart, pie chart, graph, or table. When you choose a chart or graph, you will have the option to customize your colors, and to choose which dimension to display on the X and Y axes as applicable.
How do I save my visualization?
Once you have created your user account, you will be able to download your visualization as an image file (.jpg) and as a PDF file.
How do I use the Wizard to select my data?
Here are step-by-step instructions to using the Data Selection Wizard for the first time. Once you create a user account, your primary selections (state, industry, and visualization preference) will be saved and you will be able to skip several of the steps below.
STEP 1: DIMENSIONS
First, choose your preferred localization level. You can chose to compare data on the state level, county level, or to compare a state to its counties.
Then, choose whether you would like to look at nonprofit employment or total annual nonprofit wages. Click "next" to go to Step 2 to select your geographical areas of comparison.
STEP 2: GEOGRAPHY
If you have chosen to look at data on the state level, check the boxes next to the state or states in which you are interested. If you have chosen to look at data on the county level or to compare a state's overall data to its counties, first choose your state, and then, in the second selection field, choose up to 5 counties to include in your comparison. Here, you can also choose to include U.S. total nonprofit employment as well. Click "next" to go to Step 3 to select the industries or fields of activities you would like to examine.
STEP 3: INDUSTRY
Now you can choose up to 5 fields of activity in which nonprofits are present for comparison. These fields are listed hierarchically; first by major category (e.g., health care, social services, education) and then by sub-category (e.g., ambulatory care, child services, universities). If you want to look at overall nonprofit employment or wages, click the "All industries" box. Click "next" to go to Step 4 to select your timeframe.
STEP 4: TIMEFRAME
Use the slider to select the year or years you would like to see. What you can choose here will be determined by your previous choices. Single Year: If you have selected more than two states, counties, or industries, you may only choose to see data from a single year. Year Range: If you are comparing fewer than three states, counties, or industries, you can choose to compare data from up to 5 years. Click "next" to choose your visualization.
STEP 5: VISUALIZATION
When you hover over the six available visualization types, the available figures for the comparison you have chosen will be highlighted. Click on your choice, and then click "next" to review your selections and to finalize the layout and design of your figure.
STEP 6: FINAL REVIEW
This pane displays the choices that you have made, and allows you to manipulate the figure that you will generate. You can choose what to display on the x- and y- axes if applicable, as well as to customize your colors using a selection tool or by inputting a hex color code. When you are satisfied with your selections and colors, click "Finish" to generate your figure.
ADJUSTING YOUR FIGURE
If you would like to change any of your selections, you can do so from this screen by clicking on the green boxes above the figure. If you would like to change the type of figure, you can do so by clicking on the alternate visualization on the left.
CREATING A USER ACCOUNT & DOWNLOADING YOUR FIGURE
Once you have generated your figure, you can choose to download it as an image file (jpeg) or a PDF by clicking the small boxes to the to right of the figure. While this option is free for all users, you will be prompted to create a free user account before proceeding, or to log-in to your exiting account. Once you have created an account, you have access to a "Quick Start" page, which will save your selections for future use.