Data for Good: Uniting Georgia's Changemakers with Tommy Pearce from Neighborhood Nexus

The PolicyViz Podcast

On this week’s episode of the podcast, we dive into the transformative work of Neighborhood Nexus, led by Tommy Pierce. This civic data intermediary is making waves in Georgia by harnessing the power of data to create a lasting social impact. Here are the highlights of our discussion on how Neighborhood Nexus is revolutionizing the nonprofit sector through data-driven strategies:

Topics Discussed

• The Mission of Neighborhood Nexus: We explore the core objectives of the organization, which include addressing inquiries, informing programs, and fostering crucial relationships between data providers and users. The organization’s goal is to enhance the nonprofit sector’s ability to utilize data for effective problem-solving and informed decision-making.
• Data Utilization and Technical Assistance: Discover how Neighborhood Nexus offers support to ensure that data is not just collected but used effectively. This includes advocating for data-informed leadership through comprehensive training and building a community around data expertise.
• Quantitative vs. Qualitative Data: We highlight the organization’s focus on not just numerical data but also qualitative insights. This includes gathering real-time information and community input, recognizing the need to capture the full spectrum of lived experiences.
• Bridging the Gap: Learn about the pivotal role Neighborhood Nexus plays in connecting local and regional governments with nonprofits. The organization helps with strategic planning and addresses the resource challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, emphasizing data and equity.
• Understanding Local Nonprofit Sectors: The episode delves into the challenges of missing data and the importance of marketing insights to serve communities more effectively. We discuss the organization’s collaborative efforts with local journalism for deeper data collection and understanding of community needs.
• Navigating the Political Landscape: The discussion touches upon the political context in Georgia, particularly the urban-rural divide that transcends traditional partisan lines, and how this affects data-driven approaches.
• Capacity Building and Community Engagement: We emphasize the key themes of capacity and community building and the ambition to make data more actionable. This includes website improvements and the development of new tools to engage stakeholders.

➡️ Check out more links, notes, transcript, and more at the PolicyViz website.

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