About
About the Data Capacity Compass
The Data Capacity Compass is a comprehensive toolkit designed to help nonprofits navigate the complexities of data management and make data a driving force for their mission. It is an initiative of Blueprint, a mission-driven nonprofit that helps leaders use data and evidence to tackle complex public policy challenges.
The Compass was developed through Practitioner Data Initiative, a three year collaboration with nonprofits across Canada. Grounded in their experiences and needs, it makes data capacity more practical, accessible, and relevant in the realities of the nonprofit sector.
About the Practitioner Data Initiative
The Practitioner Data Initiative (PDI) is a Blueprint initiative funded by the Future Skills Centre that works directly with nonprofits to build their capacity to use data effectively. Recognizing that many organizations face challenges in leveraging data, the PDI provides training, resources, and support to help nonprofits integrate data into their decision-making processes. Through collaborative projects and hands-on learning, the PDI has helped numerous organizations improve their programs and demonstrate their impact. The Data Capacity Compass is a direct result of this work, capturing key lessons and best practices to make them accessible to all nonprofits.
At Blueprint, we are relentless champions of people-centered, data-driven, evidence-informed policy and practice
Blueprint was founded on the simple idea that evidence is a powerful tool for change. We work with policymakers and practitioners to create and use evidence to solve complex policy and program challenges. Our vision is a social policy ecosystem where evidence is used to improve lives, build better systems and policies and drive social change.
Our team brings together a multidisciplinary group of professionals with diverse capabilities in policy research, data analysis, design, evaluation, implementation, and knowledge mobilization.
Contributors
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Ben Berres is a seasoned data and technology leader with over 20 years of experience primarily focused on supporting children, youth, families, and communities through systems and initiatives across various sectors, including non-profits, public agencies, philanthropy, startups, and private industry.
Ben is a long time collaborator of Blueprint and held an advisory role on the Practitioner Data Initiative (PDI) project, bringing his experience to help the team and participating organizations integrate data and technology, making them more robust, right-sized, and adaptable.
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DARO builds systems that really work for organizations that do real-world good. DARO partners with nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, and government entities across the globe, providing services in digital transformation, data and information architecture, evaluation and impact measurement, and data sharing and governance collaboratives.
DARO is based in Montreal, Quebec with an office in Houston, Texas. The Practitioner Data Initiative team includes DARO's Chief Impact Officer, Jesse Bourns; Senior Managers, Elle Gemma Gruver and Jonah Kotzer; and Project Coordinator, Jamie Kim.
Participating Organizations
The Data Capacity Compass would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of the Future Skills Centre and the 15 nonprofit organizations who participated in the Practitioner Data Initiative. Their willingness to collaborate with Blueprint, share their experiences, and provide insights into their data journeys has been essential in shaping the development of this toolkit. We extend our sincere gratitude to these organizations for their partnership and commitment to building a stronger, more data-informed nonprofit sector.