Nonprofits Convene on Use of Data in Tackling Social Concerns

The auditorium was filled for the opening session at United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s first ever Thought Leaders United: Data, Discussion and Collaboration symposium, held Wednesday on the campus of Wayne County Community College District on Outer Drive in Detroit. Organized in conjunction with Detroit Metropolitan Area Communities Study and the University of Michigan’s Poverty Solutions, more than 150 leaders from United Way community partners and other agencies learned the results of a tri-county community perception survey and participated in sessions throughout the day. Experts covered a variety of social services topics that rely upon data for long-term community impact.

United Way Consultant and Data Driven Detroit Founder Kurt Metzger shared results of a 10-minute survey previously distributed to residents throughout Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. The survey gauged insight on residents’ perceptions of the needs in their communities.

Overwhelmingly, regardless of ZIP code or income, the top three needs from 1,500 individuals surveyed included safety and quality emergency services, quality schools and neighborhoods conducive to raising children. However the survey showed as individual incomes rise, issues around access to quality food and well-maintained streets become less of a priority as compared to those in lower income brackets. According to United Way Vice President of Community Impact Donna Satterfield, “Data has relevance only with context. When we talk together as nonprofits addressing community needs, the realities of our work and the impact it has in the community, the data tells us a story that compels us to act. Our goal is to leverage the data for collective strategic impact.”

More than a year ago, United Way began organizing monthly meetings with funded and non-funded agency presidents and program leaders to glean how the organization could further support these organizations. Technical assistance around the use of data was among the top need requested, and the symposium served as a first step toward addressing that need. United Way plans to make the data symposium a yearly event.