7 nonprofits, faith-based organizations to join United Way’s Community Equity Data Initiative
INDIANAPOLIS – In the new year, seven nonprofits and faith-based organizations will join United Way of Central Indiana for a six-month program designed to enhance their ability to measure the impact of their work in the community. The Community Equity Data Initiative supports small nonprofits and faith-based organizations in the region that are led by or primarily serve people of color.
The initiative helps organizations strengthen their ability to collect data, tell the story of their work and evaluate programs.
Eligible organizations must be nonprofits with an annual budget of less than $1 million or a faith-based organization that shares a mission with United Way.
The organizations participating in the 2025 program are:
During the program, organizations will participate in monthly sessions on data literacy and other topics hosted by content experts. They also will receive guidance and support from United Way’s reporting and analytics team – called the Strategic Intelligence and Information team – to help strengthen their data capabilities.
At the end of the initiative, organizations will receive a $3,000 technology grant to support their data efforts in a way they see fit. This funding is designed to help organizations invest in tools or systems that enhance their data capabilities.
This is the third group of organizations to go through the initiative since United Way launched a pilot program in 2021. Research and the pilot program highlighted a need in the community: To improve their access to funding in the region, grassroots and faith-based organizations first need access to education, data collection training and software.
"The Community Equity Data Initiative highlights the incredible work these organizations do to serve our neighbors and strengthen our community,” said Stephanie Fritz, United Way’s vice president of strategic intelligence and information. “By addressing data challenges, we’re helping them showcase their impact and amplify the voices of those they serve, fostering greater equity across Central Indiana."
To learn more about the program, visit uwci.org/data-initiative. To inquire about participating in the future, email research@uwci.org.