The goal of the Community Equity Data Initiative is to come alongside nonprofit and faith-based organizations that are primarily serving and/or led by people of color to better understand, improve, and streamline their data collection and reporting efforts. This 6-month data initiative is based on the foundational learnings from a pilot program and research which highlighted the need for education and access to data collection training and software for grassroots and faith-based organizations to improve their access to funding in Central Indiana.

Organizations selected to participate will work alongside United Way to advance, understand, and streamline their data collection and program outcomes. As part of this initiative, organizations will attend monthly workshops to enhance their overall data strategy and knowledge to support their mission and meet their organizational goals. Upon completion, participants will receive a $3,000 grant to help support their data efforts and goals. 

Application Due: August 22, 2024 – September 20, 2024 

Cohort Duration: December 2024 – July 2025

To learn more about the origin and background of this initiative, watch the video.

Organizations selected to participate in the 2025 cohort receive: 

  • Monthly learning sessions that focus on data literacy and learning topics hosted by content experts.

  • Guidance and support to help produce real-world materials that will help strengthen the data capabilities of participating organizations.  

  • A technology grant upon the successful completion of the initiative to help support the organization’s data efforts in a way they see fit.  

At the conclusion of the initiative, successful organizations will: 

  • Have explored their data collection and analytics in a strategic way and will have the tools/ knowledge to leverage data to benefit the clients they serve.  

  • Have had individualized training on how to best showcase the data they already have and realize the potential for new data collection and analysis. 

  • Have gained insights into the critical data elements needed to accurately measure success and quantify impact at an organizational level. 

  • Have knowledge on resources and software tools they can use moving forward to continue to enhance their programmatic use of data analytics. 

  • Have had opportunities to learn from and build a local network through connections with other organizations and experts in various focus areas related to data analytics.

ELIGIBILITY

Participating organizations must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

  • Any 501(c)3 with an annual budget of less than $1 million or a faith-based organization that shares mission alignment with United Way of Central Indiana 

  • Led by and/or primarily serving people of color 

Participation Requirements 

In-person participation in 5 of the 6 monthly learning sessions, the welcome session, and celebration session is required to receive the technology grant at the end of the initiative in June 2025. Organizations that fail to meet the attendance requirement will be ineligible for the grant.  

If you have questions about the Community Equity Data Initiative, please contact us at: research@uwci.org.

MONTHLY SESSION SCHEDULE

December 10, 2024 from 9 - 11 a.m. | Cohort Introduction: Welcome Session - Breakfast

January 15, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Session 1: Program Evaluation: Ensuring your programs are having the right impact

February 19, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Session 2: Disaggregating Data: Unlock the power of your data

March 19, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Session 3: Community Data: Articulating your community’s unique needs

April 16, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Session 4: Data Storytelling: Using your data to help tell your story

May 21, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Session 5: Data Visualization: Tips, tricks & tools to create compelling data visuals

June 4, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Session 6: Data Systems and Technology Grants

July 2, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Final Celebration: End of Year Wrap up & Celebration

HISTORY

In 2020, Denise Luster, the Chief Strategic Intelligence & Information Officer for United Way of Central Indiana, attended a panel discussion of Black-led nonprofits and faith-based organizations hosted by the United Way Executive Committee. A common sentiment shared was that reporting and data collection standards were a barrier for Black-led and faith-based organizations. Smaller nonprofit organizations, typically with budgets of less than one million dollars, shared they did not have the staffing or resources to track and report on long-term outcomes required by many Central Indiana funders.  

United Way’s Equity Action initiative established a goal to expand its grantmaking to serve more diverse populations and build the capacity of Black-led and faith-based organizations (UWCI Equity Action). As part of the Equity Action initiative, United Way’s Strategic Information team conducted a survey and focus groups with nonprofit grassroots and faith-based organizations to learn more about their perspectives and experiences. Based on the findings, the Community Equity Data Initiative was launched to focus on providing monthly meetings and trainings along with one-on-one consultations on specific topics and skills related to data collection, and the overall utility of such data sources through evaluation and reporting.