Polymer Search vs Microsoft Power BI for Nonprofits
Choosing between Polymer Search's instant AI dashboards and Power BI's enterprise analytics? Both turn nonprofit data into visual insights, but they serve fundamentally different organizations. Polymer eliminates the learning curve entirely: upload a spreadsheet and get a shareable dashboard in minutes, with no technical expertise needed. Power BI takes longer to master but connects directly to Blackbaud, QuickBooks, Salesforce, and hundreds of other systems, delivers enterprise compliance certifications, and integrates deeply into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem most nonprofits already use. Your decision hinges on whether your priority is speed and simplicity or depth, integration, and scale.
Quick Verdict
Choose based on your nonprofit's capacity and data complexity:
Choose Polymer Search if:
- •You have no data analyst and need dashboards up and running within minutes
- •Your data lives in spreadsheets or can be exported from existing systems as CSV
- •You need simple, shareable dashboards for periodic program or donor reporting
- •Embedding dashboards on a website or Notion page for external stakeholders matters
- •Your use case is single-source: one spreadsheet or Google Sheet with regular updates
Choose Power BI if:
- •Your organization already uses Microsoft 365: Teams, SharePoint, Excel, or Dynamics 365
- •You need live connections to Blackbaud, QuickBooks, Salesforce, or SQL databases
- •Compliance documentation is required: HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR, or ISO 27001 certifications
- •You want auto-refreshing dashboards that update from live systems without manual exports
- •You have (or can develop) a Power BI champion willing to invest in training
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Feature | Polymer Search | Microsoft Power BI | Winner / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ~$10/month (Starter) | Free (Desktop); $5.04/user/month Pro (nonprofit) | 💰 Context-dependent (see pricing section) |
| Nonprofit Discount | No public discount; contact sales | ~64% off Pro; ~52% off PPU via Microsoft for Nonprofits | 🏆 Power BI |
| Free Tier | 7-day trial only | Power BI Desktop (local) + Free Service (personal) | 🏆 Power BI |
| Setup Time | Minutes (upload CSV, get dashboard) | Hours to weeks for meaningful dashboards | 🏆 Polymer Search |
| Learning Curve | Very easy (no training required) | Moderate to steep (DAX, data modeling) | 🏆 Polymer Search |
| Data Connectors | CSV/Excel, Google Sheets, Airtable, Jira, Zendesk, social ads | 100+ including Blackbaud, QuickBooks, Salesforce, SQL databases | 🏆 Power BI |
| Nonprofit CRM Integration | None (CSV export required) | Blackbaud, DonorPerfect, Dynamics 365, Salesforce NPSP | 🏆 Power BI |
| AI Features | PolyAI Chat (all plans), auto-structuring, AI-generated boards | Copilot (PPU+), Q&A visual (Pro), anomaly detection, key influencers | 🏆 Polymer (AI included on all plans) |
| Data Modeling | Not available (single-source only) | Full relational modeling, DAX, Power Query | 🏆 Power BI |
| Security & Compliance | AES-256 encryption; no public HIPAA/SOC 2 certs | HIPAA BAA, SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, FedRAMP | 🏆 Power BI |
| Dashboard Sharing | Public links, PDF export, iframe embed, Notion | Power BI Service, SharePoint, Teams (Pro required for sharing) | Tie (different strengths) |
| Mobile App | Mobile browser only (no native app) | Native iOS/Android app with offline access and Copilot on tablets | 🏆 Power BI |
| Microsoft 365 Integration | None | Deep: Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Excel, Dynamics 365 | 🏆 Power BI |
| Best For | Small teams, no IT staff, spreadsheet-based data | Microsoft-ecosystem orgs, complex multi-source reporting | Different audiences |
Last updated: February 27, 2026. Pricing and features subject to change; verify with vendors before purchasing.
The Core Trade-Off: Simplicity vs. Depth
For most nonprofits, data analysis has historically been an afterthought, handled with a combination of Excel spreadsheets, manual calculations, and periodic reports assembled under deadline pressure. Modern AI-powered tools are changing that reality, but they are not all solving the same problem. Polymer Search and Microsoft Power BI represent two fundamentally different answers to the question of how nonprofits can use data more effectively.
Polymer Search was built for teams that have data but lack the technical capacity to analyze it. Its philosophy is that insights should be accessible to anyone, not just data analysts. Upload a spreadsheet and the platform's AI structures the data, selects appropriate visualizations, and surfaces key trends automatically. There is no configuration, no formula language, no training investment. The tradeoff is that Polymer works best when data is already collected in one place and analysis needs are relatively straightforward.
Microsoft Power BI takes the opposite approach: it assumes organizations have complex, multi-source data environments and need robust tools to consolidate, model, and visualize that data with precision. Power BI connects directly to donor databases, financial systems, and program management tools, allowing nonprofits to build dashboards that update in real time from live data. This depth comes with a learning curve, but for organizations that invest in it, Power BI can become the operational backbone of data-driven decision-making.
This comparison helps nonprofit leaders understand which tool is the right fit for their organization's size, technical capacity, data environment, and reporting requirements. Both tools have genuine value for nonprofits; the question is which one fits where you are today, and where you need to go.
What Is Polymer Search?
Polymer Search is a no-code, AI-powered business intelligence platform designed for non-technical users. Its core premise is radical simplicity: upload a CSV file or connect a Google Sheet, and the platform's AI automatically classifies columns, selects visualization types, and generates an interactive dashboard within seconds. There is no setup, no formula language to learn, and no data modeling required.
The platform's PolyAI feature allows users to ask plain-English questions about their data, such as "Which programs had the highest attendance in Q3?" or "How has our donor retention changed year over year?" and receive instant chart-based answers. This conversational interface makes data exploration accessible to staff without analytical backgrounds, which is particularly valuable in nonprofits where program managers and development directors often need data insights but lack data training.
Polymer also surfaces insights automatically through AI-generated boards that identify anomalies, highlight top performers, and reveal trends without requiring users to define what they are looking for. For a small organization whose staff wear many hats, this automated insight-surfacing can substitute for a formal data analyst role in simple use cases.
Key Strengths
- Dashboard in minutes from any spreadsheet upload
- PolyAI conversational queries included on all plans
- Public link sharing and PDF export for stakeholder reports
- Google Sheets live sync for automatically updated dashboards
- Embeddable dashboards for websites and Notion pages
Key Limitations
- No data modeling: cannot join multiple tables or data sources
- No connectors for major nonprofit CRM or accounting platforms
- No published compliance certifications (HIPAA, SOC 2)
- No native mobile application (browser only)
- No public nonprofit discount program
What Is Microsoft Power BI?
Microsoft Power BI is a professional-grade business intelligence platform that connects to over 100 data sources, models complex data relationships, and delivers fully customizable interactive dashboards. It is one of the most widely used BI platforms in the world, and it holds a particularly strong position in the nonprofit sector because of its deep integration with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem that most nonprofits already rely on.
The platform's strength lies in its ability to consolidate data from multiple systems into a single, authoritative view. A nonprofit could, for example, pull donor records from Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT, grant expenditure data from QuickBooks, and program outcome data from an Excel tracker, combine them in Power BI's data model, and build a comprehensive impact dashboard that updates automatically as source systems are updated. This level of integration is simply not possible in spreadsheet-based or single-source tools.
Power BI has also invested heavily in AI through its Copilot feature, which allows users to generate entire report pages from a text prompt, ask data questions in natural language, and have DAX formulas written automatically. Copilot requires Premium Per User licensing or higher, which adds cost, but represents a meaningful step toward reducing the technical barrier for complex analysis. For organizations already on Microsoft 365 E5 or Office 365 E5, Power BI may already be partially included in existing subscriptions.
Key Strengths
- 100+ native connectors including Blackbaud, QuickBooks, Salesforce
- Full relational data modeling across multiple sources
- Enterprise compliance: HIPAA BAA, SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
- Deep Microsoft 365 integration (Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Excel)
- Significant nonprofit discount through Microsoft for Nonprofits program
Key Limitations
- Steep learning curve: DAX and data modeling require significant training
- Copilot AI requires Premium Per User license ($11.52/user/month nonprofit)
- Implementation often needs a consultant or dedicated internal champion
- July 2025 price increase reduced but did not eliminate nonprofit discount value
- Overkill for small nonprofits with simple, single-source reporting needs
Head-to-Head Feature Breakdown
Five dimensions that matter most for nonprofit data work:
AI and Natural Language Analysis
Which tool makes AI more accessible for non-technical nonprofit staff?
Polymer Search
PolyAI is available on all plans, including the Starter tier. Users can ask questions like "Which volunteer cohorts had the highest retention in 2025?" and receive instant chart-based answers. The AI also auto-generates the initial dashboard structure and surfaces anomalies and trends without user prompting. AI is not an add-on in Polymer: it is the core product experience.
Microsoft Power BI
Power BI Copilot can generate complete report pages from text prompts, write DAX formulas, and answer complex data questions in natural language. However, Copilot requires Premium Per User ($11.52/user/month nonprofit) or Microsoft Fabric capacity. Power BI Pro includes a Q&A visual (being retired December 2026) and legacy AI visuals like anomaly detection and key influencers, but full Copilot functionality requires the higher licensing tier.
Verdict: Polymer Search for teams on a tight budget needing AI now. Power BI Copilot is more powerful for complex relational data but costs more to unlock.
Data Connectivity and Integration
Which tool connects to the systems nonprofits already use?
Polymer Search
Polymer's primary workflow is file upload (CSV, Excel) or Google Sheets live sync. It also connects to Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, Airtable, Jira, Zendesk, Shopify, and Dropbox. Salesforce and HubSpot are listed as "coming soon." There are no connectors for Blackbaud, DonorPerfect, Little Green Light, QuickBooks, Bloomerang, or other common nonprofit platforms. Nonprofits using these systems must export data manually before analysis.
Microsoft Power BI
Power BI's connector library is one of the most comprehensive in the industry, with over 100 native data sources. Key nonprofit integrations include Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT (via CData connector), QuickBooks Online, Salesforce, Dynamics 365, SharePoint, Azure SQL, and Google Analytics. Once connected, dashboards refresh automatically on a schedule, eliminating the manual export step that burdens many nonprofit data workflows.
Verdict: Power BI wins decisively for multi-source and nonprofit-specific system integration. Polymer is limited to spreadsheet-based workflows.
Ease of Use and Learning Curve
Which tool can a busy program manager actually use without training?
Polymer Search
Polymer is purpose-built for non-technical users. The entire workflow is: upload a file, review the auto-generated dashboard, adjust filters, and share. No training is required. Reviews consistently describe it as the tool for "teams who hate BI tools." For nonprofits where staff manage multiple roles and have limited time for learning new software, this zero-learning-curve approach is genuinely valuable.
Microsoft Power BI
Power BI is easy to start but hard to master. Basic charts can be created by a beginner within an hour using the drag-and-drop canvas. However, building dashboards that represent real organizational data typically requires understanding Power Query (for data transformation), data modeling (defining relationships between tables), and DAX (for calculated measures). This investment takes days to weeks. Microsoft Learn offers free structured training, and the Power BI community is large, but the ramp-up is real.
Verdict: Polymer Search for organizations without a data champion. Power BI for those willing to invest in training or hire consultant support.
Security, Compliance, and Data Governance
Which tool is appropriate for sensitive beneficiary and donor data?
Polymer Search
Polymer encrypts data in transit (TLS/HTTPS) and at rest (AES-256 with double-layer encryption). Users can perform "deep deletes" that fully remove data with no recovery. However, Polymer does not publish SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, or GDPR compliance certifications on its security page. For nonprofits handling donor PII or beneficiary health records, this lack of documented compliance posture is a meaningful gap that warrants direct verification with the vendor before deploying sensitive data.
Microsoft Power BI
Power BI (within Microsoft Fabric) is covered under Microsoft's HIPAA Business Associate Agreement as of April 2025, making it appropriate for nonprofits handling protected health information. It also holds SOC 2, ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, and FedRAMP certifications. Row-level security (RLS) controls which users see which data. Sensitivity labels from Microsoft Purview allow organizations to classify and protect data at a granular level. For health-focused, social services, or any nonprofit handling sensitive client data, Power BI's compliance posture is significantly more robust.
Verdict: Power BI for nonprofits with compliance requirements. Polymer may be adequate for non-sensitive program data but lacks published certifications.
Collaboration and Sharing
Which tool makes it easier for teams and stakeholders to access data insights?
Polymer Search
Polymer's sharing model is simple and flexible. Dashboards can be shared via public links (no login required), embedded in websites or Notion pages via iframe, or exported as PDFs. This makes it easy to share program outcome visuals with funders, board members, or community partners without requiring them to create accounts. Team collaboration requires the Teams plan ($125/month for 3 editors), and there is no integration with Microsoft Teams or Slack for in-app notifications.
Microsoft Power BI
Power BI sharing requires Pro licenses for both the sender and recipient in most scenarios, which adds cost for larger teams. However, dashboards pinned to SharePoint sites or Microsoft Teams channels can be viewed by Microsoft 365 users without requiring separate Power BI Pro licenses, which can significantly reduce sharing costs for Microsoft-ecosystem organizations. The Teams integration is particularly strong: dashboards can be embedded directly inside Teams channels, and staff can access insights without leaving their primary collaboration tool.
Verdict: Polymer for frictionless external sharing with no login requirements. Power BI for internal collaboration within Microsoft 365 organizations.
Pricing Breakdown and Total Cost of Ownership
Polymer Search Pricing
No free tier; 7-day trial available
1 editor, PolyAI, basic connectors
1 editor, advanced features, higher limits
3 editors + unlimited viewers, Slack support
Unlimited editors, API access, dedicated manager
No public nonprofit discount. Contact sales for potential case-by-case pricing.
Microsoft Power BI Pricing
Desktop free; nonprofit discounts via Microsoft for Nonprofits
Local report creation only; no sharing or cloud
Full sharing, collaboration, scheduled refresh (vs $14 commercial)
Copilot AI, larger datasets, paginated reports (vs $24 commercial)
Organization-wide; no per-user sharing restrictions
Apply via Microsoft for Nonprofits program, TechSoup, or authorized resellers. 501(c)(3) verification required.
Total Cost of Ownership: 3 Nonprofit Scenarios
Small Nonprofit (1-2 staff using data tools)
Polymer Search Starter
~$120/year
Single editor, PolyAI included, upload spreadsheet exports from your systems manually
Power BI Pro (2 users)
~$121/year nonprofit
Full sharing and cloud; connect live to existing systems; learning investment needed
At this scale, costs are similar. The decision comes down to whether you need live system integration and are willing to invest in learning Power BI.
Mid-Size Nonprofit (5 staff using data tools)
Polymer Search Teams
$1,500/year
3 editors + unlimited viewers; simple spreadsheet-based reporting for all departments
Power BI Pro (5 users)
~$302/year nonprofit
Full platform for 5 users with live data connections; significant training investment required
Power BI's per-user pricing becomes significantly cheaper at 5 users. Polymer's Teams plan is nearly 5x more expensive, though it requires far less technical expertise to deploy.
Larger Nonprofit (10+ staff, compliance requirements)
Polymer Search Enterprise
Contact for quote
Custom pricing; lacks HIPAA certification and nonprofit CRM integrations
Power BI PPU (10 users)
~$1,382/year nonprofit
Full Copilot AI, HIPAA compliance, all enterprise features, live connections to all major nonprofit systems
For larger nonprofits with compliance requirements, Power BI is the clear choice. The per-user pricing is competitive and includes the compliance infrastructure that organizations handling sensitive data need.
Note: Prices may be outdated or inaccurate.
Nonprofit Discounts and Special Pricing
Polymer Search Nonprofit Pricing
Polymer Search does not have a publicly listed nonprofit discount program. There is no TechSoup partnership, no dedicated nonprofit pricing page, and no application process for mission-driven organizations.
Some vendors handle nonprofit pricing on a case-by-case basis through their sales teams. Nonprofits should contact Polymer directly at their general sales inquiry contact and explicitly mention their organization type and mission. There is no guarantee of a discount, but it is worth asking.
No public nonprofit discount
Contact sales for potential case-by-case pricing consideration.
Power BI Nonprofit Pricing
Microsoft Power BI offers substantial nonprofit discounts through the Microsoft for Nonprofits program. As of July 2025, Power BI Pro is available at $5.04/user/month (vs $14 commercial) and Power BI Premium Per User at $11.52/user/month (vs $24 commercial). These represent discounts of approximately 64% and 52%, respectively.
Eligibility requires 501(c)(3) status (or equivalent outside the US). Applications are processed through Microsoft's nonprofit eligibility portal. Licenses can also be purchased through TechSoup at a nominal administrative fee or through Microsoft-authorized resellers like Ciracom Cloud.
~64% off Pro; ~52% off PPU
Apply via Microsoft for Nonprofits, TechSoup, or an authorized reseller. Power BI Desktop always free.
Ease of Use and Implementation Timeline
| Stage | Polymer Search | Microsoft Power BI |
|---|---|---|
| First dashboard | Minutes (upload CSV) | 1-2 hours (basic chart from Excel) |
| Useful organizational dashboard | Same day | 1-2 weeks (data modeling required) |
| Multi-source consolidated reporting | Not possible | 1-3 months with training or consultant |
| Technical skill required | None | Basic to intermediate (DAX, Power Query) |
| Difficulty level | Beginner | Beginner (basic) to Intermediate/Advanced |
| Training resources | Help center, video tutorials, Slack (Teams plan) | Microsoft Learn, large community, YouTube, consultants |
The learning curve difference between these tools is significant and should be a primary factor in your decision. Polymer Search is genuinely usable by anyone who can work with a spreadsheet. Power BI Pro, to deliver meaningful results, requires either a staff member willing to invest several weeks in learning or budget for a consultant or implementation partner. Many nonprofits underestimate this investment and end up with a Power BI subscription that goes underutilized because no one has the capacity to build and maintain the dashboards it is capable of producing. If your organization does not have a data champion, Polymer Search's simplicity may deliver more actual value despite Power BI's greater theoretical capability.
Integration and Compatibility
Integration depth is where the gap between these tools is most pronounced. For nonprofits whose data lives primarily in one or two spreadsheets, this gap may not matter. For organizations with multiple systems that need to be unified, it is often the deciding factor.
| System / Platform | Polymer Search | Power BI |
|---|---|---|
| Excel / CSV / Google Sheets | Native (live sync for Google Sheets) | Native |
| Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT | Not available (CSV export needed) | Via CData connector |
| QuickBooks Online | Not available | Native connector |
| Salesforce / Salesforce NPSP | Coming soon | Native connector |
| Dynamics 365 / Microsoft CRM | Not available | Native (deep integration) |
| Airtable | Native connector | Via Power Query or API |
| Google Analytics | Native connector | Native connector |
| SharePoint / OneDrive | Not available | Native (deep integration) |
| SQL / PostgreSQL / MySQL | Not available | Native connectors |
| Microsoft Teams | No native integration | Deep native integration |
The practical implication for nonprofits is significant. If your donor management is in Blackbaud and your financials are in QuickBooks, Power BI can connect to both systems simultaneously and build a unified dashboard that updates daily without manual intervention. With Polymer Search, you would need to export reports from each system, combine them in a spreadsheet manually, and then upload that file to Polymer. For weekly or monthly reporting cycles, this is manageable. For organizations that need near-real-time visibility across multiple systems, it becomes a significant operational burden.
Which Tool Should Your Nonprofit Choose?
Use this five-question framework to guide your decision:
1. Does your organization use Microsoft 365?
Yes: Lean toward Power BI
Power BI integrates natively with Teams, SharePoint, and Excel. You may already have partial access through existing licenses, and the ecosystem fit reduces learning friction.
No: Polymer is simpler to start
Without Microsoft infrastructure, Power BI's ecosystem advantages disappear. Polymer's standalone simplicity is more attractive without the ecosystem pull.
2. Do you have a dedicated data analyst or IT staff member?
Yes: Power BI delivers more value
A data champion who can invest in learning Power BI will unlock significantly more analytical capability than Polymer's auto-generated dashboards.
No: Polymer is the safer choice
Without technical staff, Power BI often goes underutilized. Polymer's zero-learning-curve approach actually gets used, which delivers more value than a powerful tool that sits unused.
3. Do you need to connect to Blackbaud, QuickBooks, or multiple systems simultaneously?
Yes: Power BI is required
Polymer simply cannot connect to these systems. If live, multi-source integration is essential, Power BI is the only option between these two tools.
No: Polymer is sufficient
If your data can be exported as a spreadsheet, Polymer handles everything you need at a fraction of the learning investment.
4. Do you handle sensitive beneficiary data subject to HIPAA or similar compliance requirements?
Yes: Power BI is required
Power BI's HIPAA BAA, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 certifications are essential for organizations handling protected health information or other sensitive regulated data.
No: Either tool may work
For non-sensitive program data (attendance, event registration, general donor giving), Polymer's encryption may be adequate. Verify with your legal team before deploying any PII.
5. How many staff need to create or edit dashboards?
5+ editors: Power BI is more cost-effective
Power BI Pro at $5.04/user/month for 5 users costs $302/year. Polymer's Teams plan (3 editors) costs $1,500/year. At scale, Power BI's per-user pricing becomes significantly cheaper.
1-3 editors: Cost comparison is closer
For very small teams, Polymer's flat-rate pricing is competitive with Power BI's per-user costs, especially if simplicity is the priority.
Final Summary
Choose Polymer Search if you are a small nonprofit without technical staff, your data lives in spreadsheets, you need something working within an hour, and simplicity of use is the priority over depth of analysis.
Choose Power BI if you already use Microsoft 365, need to connect live to Blackbaud, QuickBooks, or Salesforce, have compliance requirements, or have the capacity to invest in learning the platform for significantly more powerful ongoing analytics.
Pros and Cons for Nonprofits
Polymer Search
Pros
- Zero learning curve: anyone can use it without training
- AI-powered insight surfacing across all plans, not a premium add-on
- Dashboard ready in minutes from any spreadsheet upload
- Simple external sharing: public links and PDF exports with no login required
- Embeddable in websites and Notion for stakeholder-facing reporting
- Google Sheets live sync for automatically updated dashboards
Cons
- ✗Cannot connect to Blackbaud, QuickBooks, or most nonprofit platforms
- ✗No data modeling: limited to single-source analysis
- ✗No public HIPAA, SOC 2, or ISO 27001 certifications published
- ✗No nonprofit discount program
- ✗No native mobile app (browser only)
- ✗Teams plan ($125/month) becomes expensive at mid-size organizations vs Power BI's per-user model
Microsoft Power BI
Pros
- 100+ connectors including Blackbaud, QuickBooks, Salesforce, and SQL databases
- Enterprise compliance: HIPAA BAA, SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
- Significant nonprofit discount (~64% off Pro) through Microsoft for Nonprofits
- Deep Microsoft 365 integration for Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook
- Native mobile app with offline access and Copilot on tablets
- Scales from one user to organization-wide deployment without vendor lock-in
Cons
- ✗Significant learning curve: DAX and data modeling require weeks of investment
- ✗Copilot AI requires Premium Per User ($11.52/month nonprofit), adding cost
- ✗Often requires a consultant or implementation partner to deploy effectively
- ✗July 2025 price increase reduced the value of the nonprofit discount
- ✗Overkill and often underutilized by small nonprofits without technical staff
Getting Started with Your Choice
Starting with Polymer Search
- 1.Visit polymersearch.com and start the 7-day free trial (no credit card required on some plans)
- 2.Export a simple data file from your current systems: program attendance, donor giving history, or event registration
- 3.Upload the CSV and review the auto-generated dashboard; explore PolyAI by asking questions in plain English
- 4.Share the dashboard via public link with a board member or funder to test the sharing experience
- 5.If the trial meets your needs, subscribe to the Starter or Teams plan; contact sales to ask about nonprofit pricing
Starting with Power BI
- 1.Download Power BI Desktop for free at powerbi.microsoft.com and explore Microsoft Learn's "Power BI Fundamentals" learning path
- 2.Apply for Power BI Pro through the Microsoft for Nonprofits program or purchase through TechSoup at the discounted nonprofit rate
- 3.Connect to one familiar data source first: an Excel file, Google Sheet, or SharePoint list to build confidence with the interface
- 4.Explore pre-built nonprofit templates on Microsoft AppSource to accelerate your first real dashboard
- 5.Consider a short engagement with a certified Power BI partner to configure your first multi-source dashboard and establish best practices
Related Comparisons and Resources
- Polymer Search vs Julius AI for Nonprofits (two no-code AI data tools compared)
- Power BI vs Tableau for Nonprofits (enterprise BI platforms compared)
- Google Looker Studio vs Metabase (free BI tools for nonprofits)
- Building a Data-First Nonprofit (strategic guide to nonprofit data culture)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for nonprofits: Polymer Search or Microsoft Power BI?
It depends on your team's technical capacity and data complexity. Polymer Search is better if you have no data analyst, your data lives in spreadsheets, and you need dashboards quickly with zero training. Power BI is better if you already use Microsoft 365, need to connect to Blackbaud or QuickBooks, have compliance requirements, or are willing to invest in training for significantly more powerful ongoing analytics.
Does Microsoft Power BI offer a nonprofit discount?
Yes. Power BI Pro is available to qualifying nonprofits at $5.04/user/month (vs $14 commercial) and Power BI Premium Per User at $11.52/user/month (vs $24 commercial). Power BI Desktop remains free for anyone. Nonprofits access discounts through the Microsoft for Nonprofits program, TechSoup, or authorized resellers like Ciracom Cloud. 501(c)(3) status is required.
Does Polymer Search offer a nonprofit discount?
Polymer Search does not have a publicly listed nonprofit discount program. There is no TechSoup partnership or dedicated nonprofit pricing page. Nonprofits should contact Polymer's sales team directly, as some vendors offer case-by-case discounts for mission-driven organizations. There is no guarantee of a discount, but it is worth inquiring.
Can Polymer Search connect to Blackbaud Raiser's Edge or QuickBooks?
No. Polymer Search does not currently offer connectors for Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, DonorPerfect, Little Green Light, QuickBooks, Bloomerang, or other common nonprofit platforms. Nonprofits using these systems must export data as CSV and upload manually. Microsoft Power BI connects to all of these platforms via native or third-party connectors.
Is Power BI HIPAA compliant?
Yes. Microsoft Power BI (within the Microsoft Fabric platform) is covered under Microsoft's HIPAA Business Associate Agreement as of April 2025. Power BI also holds SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and FedRAMP certifications. Polymer Search does not publish equivalent compliance certifications, making Power BI the clear choice for nonprofits handling sensitive beneficiary health data or other regulated information.
How long does it take to get started with each tool?
Polymer Search can produce a working, shareable dashboard within minutes of uploading a spreadsheet. Power BI Desktop can display basic charts within an hour, but building meaningful dashboards from real organizational data typically requires days to weeks of learning, including data modeling and Power Query concepts. For organizations without dedicated data staff, Polymer's instant startup time is a meaningful advantage.
Which tool is better for sharing dashboards with board members or funders?
Polymer offers public link sharing and PDF export requiring no login from viewers, making it simple for external stakeholders. Power BI allows read-only dashboard access via SharePoint or Teams for Microsoft 365 users without requiring separate Power BI licenses. For organizations already using Microsoft 365, Power BI's Teams integration provides a more seamless board experience. For organizations without Microsoft infrastructure, Polymer's public links are simpler and more accessible.
Can I use Power BI for free?
Power BI Desktop (local report creation) is free for anyone to download and use. The free tier of Power BI Service allows personal viewing but not sharing with others. To share dashboards or collaborate, Power BI Pro is required at $5.04/user/month for nonprofits. Polymer Search has no permanent free tier but offers a 7-day trial on most plans.
Still Deciding?
Our team helps nonprofits evaluate data tools, implement BI solutions, and build the internal capacity to make data-driven decisions. Book a free consultation to discuss your organization's specific data environment and reporting needs.