Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University’s Post

CARES is all about data. Yet, goodwill and community improvement are at the core of our organization. University of Missouri Extension regional director, Shatomi Luster-Edward, has used the CARES-supported All Things Missouri platform to help integrate data into community proposals leading to increased funding. "'Regular folks don’t have a whole lot of access to the research behind what we’re experiencing every day — that living in neighborhoods where you suffer from lack of hope cuts years off of our lives,' Lee said. 'The data-informed work we have been doing with MU Extension has given voice to that. In turn, it helps us get access to funding, information and the opportunity to understand how to reverse the cycle of disinvestment, decline and poor mental and physical health from struggle and stress.' This data-driven approach has helped the east side neighborhoods more effectively advocate for their fair share of Kansas City Public Improvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) money, Luster-Edward said. These funds support infrastructure improvement neighborhoods, such as road and sidewalk improvements, landscaping and clearing overgrown vacant lots." Read more about how data can support community grassroots movements, strategic planning, and ultimately investment. https://lnkd.in/gZ5muj8Z

#ListeningSession 4 – GCF’s President and CEO, Matthew Randazzo and Chief Impact Officer, Rasheda Malcolm-Cromwell, met with a group of service providers for an open conversation on how our region can help those experiencing a moment of crisis. We have an opportunity to better meet basic needs such as housing, food access, and mental health services to build healthy and thriving communities for everyone. Our community service partners emphasized the need to destigmatize people experiencing crisis, improve staffing capacity and strengthen the ability to forecast community needs. There is also a desire for more innovation and the ability to leverage technology for prevention services, along with a call for greater collaboration between funders, nonprofits, businesses, and government. What are your thoughts to better serve those in crisis, or prevent a crisis from occurring? What steps can our region take to ensure that all community members can thrive?

The parallels between the detrimental effects of criminalizing individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and the urgent need to address the plight of those experiencing homelessness are striking and demand immediate attention. These conversations are not just important but NECESSARY in order to bring about meaningful change in our approach to these interconnected issues. When individuals are penalized for simply seeking a safe place to rest, it can inadvertently force them into situations where they may be compelled to engage in unlawful activities to survive. Criminalizing individuals for sleeping in public spaces exacerbates their vulnerabilities and perpetuates a cycle of marginalization and hardship. This punitive approach fails to recognize the underlying systemic factors that contribute to homelessness and fails to provide the necessary support and resources to address the root causes of the issue. Punishing individuals for the shortcomings of a system that has failed to provide adequate support is unjust and counterproductive. The time is NOW!! that we advocate for systemic solutions that prioritize empathy, understanding, and proactive intervention to address the complex challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness. Only by addressing the systemic issues at the core of the problem can we effectively work towards ending the cycle of homelessness.

Explore the transformative partnership between St. Louis and Mastercard Services, where data-driven strategies are enhancing the fairness and efficiency of homeless services. This is a must-read on Mastercard Newsroom for anyone passionate about #SocialImpact, #UrbanInnovation and #DataForGood. https://lnkd.in/g6Ye_EBx

"Individual donors and foundations increasingly view data 'as the fuel for innovation and social change.'" Paul Luu, CEO, Chinese American Service League, shares how data can be used to pinpoint needs in specific communities, secure resources to maximize impact, and help you advocate for communities. Explore examples of this work in action and how you can use data to support your mission.

It was an honor to have the National Criminal Justice Association feature Untapped Solutions on their podcast! 🎙️✨ We had the opportunity to discuss how Untapped Solutions is transforming the case management landscape, offering state agencies new ways to collaborate with us. We also shared detailed analytics on key issues like case worker fatigue 😓, the lack of technology in many nonprofit settings 🖥️, and the unfortunate reality that in the in the U.S thier is only 1 client-facing staff member for every 500+ people who need services. By pairing technology with human expertise 🤝, we believe we can make a real difference in reentry services and improve outcomes for those in need. 💪 Exciting times ahead as we continue working toward greater impact! 🌍🚀 #CaseManagement #ReentryPrograms #NonprofitTech #UntappedSolutions #CriminalJustice #TechForGood

Why FinHealth Measurement Matters? Financial health is a holistic measure of a small business owner's financial life. Beyond the business or metrics like credit scores, financial health assesses whether an owner is spending, saving, borrowing, and planning in a way that enables them to be resilient and pursue opportunities. #Ascendus is using the FinHealth Score to deliver on a simple promise ultimately: You will be financially healthier after coming to Ascendus. Read how we and other CDFIs are using this powerful impact measurement tool.

Unlocking Greater Impact: Check out this insightful article from Candid on how under-resourced communities are utilizing data to drive positive change written by CASL's CEO, Paul Luu CASL understands the incredible impact and transformative power data-particularly disaggregated data-can make. Program decisions are made based on community data collection to ensure our services are best meeting the needs of the community. Furthermore, we are passionate about empowering other organizations to collect, disaggregate, and interpret data to make well-informed decisions that benefit their communities. #DataForImpact #CommunityEmpowerment

🌟 We’re excited to have our work with CDFIs featured in this piece highlighting their commitment to promoting financial access and inclusion. Through Pathways to Financial Empowerment, made in partnership with Inclusiv , we support credit unions nationwide in providing financial coaching and outcomes-driven tools that strengthen their ability to serve members holistically. Read more about how CDFIs are driving meaningful, measurable impact for underserved communities—and how we're supporting their mission.  #FinancialEmpowerment #InclusiveFinance #CommunityImpact

Data capabilities are often unavailable for #nonprofit and smaller #governmental organizations like #counties or municipalities. However, often this is where the improved efficiency and effectiveness of data solutions would be best served. Margins in these areas are slim, and limited funds require initiatives from these organizations to succeed on the first try. Community engagement and data analysis are keystones of driving that success. CNY Regional Market Authority is following those principles in their upcoming overhaul to the market itself. Help them be #datadriven by contributing to their #survey! https://lnkd.in/gyk9ww5Q