1 STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR THE COMMUNITY INFORMATION FIELD National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership Tom Kingsley Kathy Pettit Providence Meetings September 13, 2012

Today’s presentation Exploring the role of NNIP today (Tom) Local data intermediary functions Responding to dramatic changes in the data environment Sustainability of the institutional model The campaign and network agenda (Kathy) Major information campaign Expand and upgrade NNIP network activities and services Encourage national support system

1996: NNIP, a major innovation Local intermediaries & new functions Assembling, transforming & disseminating data Applying data to achieve impact Using data to strengthen civic life & governance Substantial local benefits The “one-stop-shop” Data at the ready Trusted local intermediary – there when you need them Priority for problems of distressed neighborhoods, but not “owned” by any faction

National Neighborhood Indicators Partners Atlanta Austin Baltimore Boston Camden Chattanooga Chicago Cleveland Columbus Dallas Denver Des Moines Detroit Grand Rapids Hartford Indianapolis Kansas City Louisville Memphis Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis-St. Paul Nashville New Haven New Orleans New York City Oakland Philadelphia Pittsburgh Portland Providence Sacramento Saint Louis San Antonio Seattle Washington, DC

2012: what role for NNIP? Major advances in data environment since 1996 Much lower costs – data storage, manipulation, display Open data (government data direct to public) National datasets with neighborhood data Data visualization platforms (e.g., PolicyMap) More good external consultants (e.g., DataKind) Hypotheses Existing NNIP cities – advances make local NNIP functions more efficient, shift emphases - but need remains critical Other cities – NNIP information campaign needed to boost momentum for data driven decision making

EXISTING NNIP CITIES: Expected effects of recent advances Much lower costs – data storage, manipulation, display - NNIP partners take advantage, increases productivity Open data (government data direct to public) - Need high expertise to utilize; most local stakeholders need help, simplified data & one stop shop National datasets with neighborhood data - Helpful, but some key data will always be local Data visualization platforms (e.g., PolicyMap) - Again helpful, but limited re local needs More good external consultants (e.g., DataKind) - Local leaders need guidance to deploy effectively & assure leave behind

NEW CITIES: Progress, but needs momentum What we hear from non-NNIP cities More locals are working with `data and using the tools now But all remains partial and fragmented Suffer from traditional inefficiencies (have to go to many sources to get data, not ready when need it) Typically one-off studies (small leave behind) Civic leaders not aware of opportunities Variations and the need to adapt Some cities, small additional effort can make it happen Others will require more work

Institutional sustainability Strong track record Since NNIP began, only one partner closed (6 shifted institutional home in same city) Almost entirely local funding (9 in operation 15+ years) Variety of institutional models 10 at universities, 14 nonprofits with other functions, 2 government agencies, most of the rest are collaborations Efficient investment All have mix of general support and project funding (2009 survey, $320K average budget) Small general support funding yields high leverage

The Information Campaign Objectives Reaffirm & expand support in NNIP cities Create awareness (buzz) in new cities Influence activities of other networks Partner with other organizations Groups that represent local civic funders will be highest priority (e.g., Community Foundations, United Way) But will involve many other national interest groups (e.g., Federal Reserve system, National League of Cities, LISC, Coalition of Urban Serving Universities)

The Campaign (continued) Work with partnering national organizations Presentations at their conferences Articles in their newsletters and journals In both of these - explain NNIP, describe local success stories, explain how new cities get started Focusing in on places Regional webinars for local civic leaders who may be interested (with follow-up phone calls) Site visits to make presentations to local civic leaders and funders where local champions think it important

Network Services/Activities Developing capacity in new communities References from the Campaign Advice to local leaders on “closing the deal” Technical assistance Standardized kit of materials (briefings, etc.) Application process that maintains standards Strengthening NNIP Partner organizations Continue current activities to maintain momentum (meetings, web-site, etc.) Much expanded training (e.g., business development) Other training based on new content development (see below)

The Network (continued) Addressing real issues (cross-site initiatives) Housing markets Neighborhoods and health Early childhood and education Integrated data systems (IDS) NNIP Shared Indicator System Document/disseminate best practices Catch up in preparing tools and guides Substantive advances (using data in neighborhood stabilization) and technical (developing an IDS) Expand forms of dissemination

National Support System Supporting effective data use in all cities Making more government and proprietary datasets accessible Transforming national datasets for ease of use Visualization platforms and tools Strengthening curricula – professional schools, community colleges, training courses, certificate programs Moving it forward Propose NNIP do an initial assessment of the state of these support functions nationally Review results with federal agencies & other national and local stakeholders

Next Steps September 21: Webinar for partners/alumni October 1: Revised draft November/December: Work with key funders and executive committee on fundraising and initial outreach to national groups January: Report back on progress 14

Discussion Questions Successful approaches to raising awareness of (& funding for) NNIP capacity in your city? How could external influence from national organizations reinforce your position and increase support from your local governments/foundations? What types of TA/training from within the network or from outside experts would help you? How to strengthen the strategy, including our arguments to support our case (Sect 1 and 2) the NNIP work program (Sect 4) the national support functions 15