Published
October 31, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Ryan Greiss / Puder PR / Office: +1 (212) 558-9400 / Cell: +1 (201) 906-0497 / [email protected]
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 – The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation has released a new interactive resource to help professionals across the purpose-driven sector measure, evaluate and share the impact of their work. While a growing number of foundations and nonprofit organizations are recognizing data as integral to achieving their goals, many are struggling to find the resources necessary to use data effectively. The Data Playbook is designed to fill this gap and offer organizations of all sizes the tools they need to create a sustainable data strategy.
The Data Playbook guides users through a series of practical exercises to determine:
- Which types of data an organization should collect;
- The best methods for collecting different types of data;
- How to analyze data according to strategic goals; and
- How to use data to tell compelling stories about an organization’s work.
From survey design to advanced analysis to expert strategies for data visualization, the Data Playbook speaks to professionals of all knowledge levels. It also includes a series of hypothetical and real-world examples, industry tips and a robust toolkit for accessing more information.
Sandy Cardin, President of the Schusterman Family Foundation, noted that for purpose-driven organizations, quantifying impact can be as challenging as it is important. “Measuring things like shifts in identity or changes in attitude is a significant undertaking, but the result is well worth the effort,” said Cardin. “Behind every metric and every survey result is a person who is looking to us to make a difference in their life. Perhaps counterintuitively, we hope that by embracing data-driven strategies, we will enhance our understanding of the human side of our work.”
The Data Playbook is part of Schusterman’s ongoing efforts to serve as a learning partner for the organizations it supports and to create field-wide resources that address issues of increasing importance to the nonprofit and philanthropic communities. While data has long been a mainstay in for-profit industries, it is now playing a growing role in the business of social change.
“These are unprecedented times for using data and information to improve our world,” added Jake Porway of DataKind, an organization known for using data science in the service of humanity. “In the 21st century, the social impact organizations that embrace data and technology to amplify their impact, learn about their work, and adjust in real time will do far more for their work and their issues than we may have ever seen before.”
This is the second online Playbook produced by the Schusterman Family Foundation. Last year the Foundation introduced the Alumni Playbook, a compendium of best practices and case studies designed to help nonprofits keep their alumni networks active and engaged.
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About Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation (Schusterman) is a global organization that seeks to ignite the passion and unleash the power in young people to create positive change. Schusterman pursues its mission by working collaboratively with others to support and operate high-quality education, identity development, leadership training and service programs designed to help young people cultivate their growth as individuals and as leaders. Schusterman's work emphasizes efforts to improve public education in the United States, strengthen the global Jewish community and Israel, and enhance the quality of life in our founders’ hometown of Tulsa, OK. For more information, visit www.schusterman.org and follow the Foundation on Twitter and Facebook.