Dimensions are powerful organizational tools that help your organization track and manage financial data across multiple organizations. As an admin, you can create dimension templates (like "Program", "Grant", or "Restriction") that your organizations can then use to track their specific programs, grants, and restrictions. This system enables each organization to evolve and expand their operational need and customize their data needs.

Dimensions are template definitions that you create to help organizations organize their financial data. Think of a dimension as a type of classification—for example, "Program" is a dimension type, while individual programs like "Youth Education" or "Food Assistance" are specific instances that organizations create.

Key characteristics of dimensions:

- Created by admins only

- Maximum of 10 dimensions for your account

- Can be enabled for specific organizations or all organizations

- Each dimension has an icon for easy visual identification

- Dimensions define what types of classifications organizations can use
​

Common dimension examples for nonprofits:

To create a new dimension:

1. Navigate to the Dimensions section in Impact Graph (accessible from the main navigation)

2. Click the Add Dimension button (you'll only see this if you have fewer than 10 dimensions)

3. In the modal that opens:

- Enter a Dimension Name (e.g., "Program", "Restriction")

- Select an Icon from the available options to help visually identify this dimension

- Choose which Organizations should have access to this dimension (you can select specific organizations or leave it empty to enable for all)

4. Click Create Dimension
​

The dimension will now be available for the organizations you've enabled. Organizations can then create their own specific instances within this dimension.

Example: If you create a "Program" dimension and enable it for Organization A, that organization can then create instances like "Youth Education Program", "Food Assistance Program", etc.

When creating or editing a dimension, you can control which organizations have access to it:

1. Open the dimension creation or editing modal

2. In the Organizations section, you'll see a list of all organizations in your account

3. Select the checkboxes next to the organizations that should have access to this dimension

4. Leave all unchecked to enable the dimension for all organizations

5. Save your changes

​

Important considerations:

- If you remove an organization from a dimension's enabled list, any instances that organization created will be disabled (but not deleted)

- You'll see a warning if removing an organization would affect existing instances

- Organizations can only create instances for dimensions that are enabled for them

​

Create a "Program" dimension to help all your organizations consistently track their programs. This enables you to:

- Generate reports comparing program performance across organizations

- Ensure consistent program tracking methodology

- Support organizations in meeting grant reporting requirements

Example* Create a "Program" dimension, enable it for all organizations, and organizations can then create instances like "After-School Tutoring", "Community Garden", "Housing Assistance", etc.

Create a "Location" dimension for organizations that operate in multiple locations:

- Organizations can create instances for each location (e.g., "Downtown Office", "North Branch", "Mobile Unit")

- Helps track expenses and revenue by geographic area

- Useful for organizations with multiple service sites

Create a "Department" dimension for larger organizations that need to track expenses by department:

- Organizations can create instances like "Program Services", "Administration", "Fundraising"

- Helps with internal budgeting and cost allocation

- Supports functional expense reporting requirements

To edit an existing dimension:

1. Navigate to the Dimensions section

2. Find the dimension you want to edit in the table

3. Click the edit icon (pencil) next to the dimension

4. Update the name, icon, or organization access as needed

5. Click Update Dimension

Note: If you remove an organization from a dimension's enabled list, any instances that organization created will be disabled. You'll see a warning dialog before this happens.

When to create dimensions:

- Create dimensions for classifications that are consistent across organizations (like Programs, Grants, Restrictions)

- Consider what reporting needs you have—dimensions can be used in P&L reports for pivoting

- Think about what classifications organizations need to meet their grant reporting requirements

Naming conventions:

- Use clear, descriptive names (e.g., "Program" not "Prog")

- Keep names short but meaningful

- Consider how the dimension name will appear in reports and filters

Organization access:

- Enable dimensions for organizations has their complexity evolves. It is better to try and keep things simple and only introduce new dimensions when it is really needed

- Restrict access to specific organizations only if the dimension is organization-specific

- Remember that organizations can only create instances for enabled dimensions

Dimension limits:

- You can create up to 10 dimensions total

- Plan your dimensions carefully—consider which classifications are most important

- Dimensions can be deleted if no longer needed, but this will remove all associated instances

Working with organizations:

- Communicate with organizations about new dimensions you create

- Consider their reporting needs when deciding which dimensions to create

- Remember that organizations create their own instances—you're just providing the template