Data Management | Youth Services
This summer we brought three youth services organizations serving the Los Angeles community—A Place Called Home, Da Vinci RISE High School and Fulfillment Fund—and special guest, Steve Ballmer, co-founder of Ballmer Group Philanthropy and former Microsoft CEO, together to discuss the importance of collecting equitable data-driven insights and working together to respond to community needs and transform the lives of children and families. This conversation revealed five practices that social good organizations and funders can implement now to collect equitable data and elevate community collaboration.
The conversation also uncovered several specific examples of how our panelist’s youth services organizations are using data to drive change, ask the right questions, and showcase continual improvement to funders.
Here are some of the highlights relevant to any youth services organization:
Using Data to Drive Change
A Place Called Home, Da Vinci RISE High School and Fulfillment Fund reinforced the importance of not only listening to their students but also using data as a form of listening, which has uncovered missing pieces and informed new programs.
Watch this clip to learn how data has driven change in each of these youth services organizations.
Asking the Right Questions
Each youth services organization discussed the importance of asking the right questions and adhering to equitable, culturally responsive evaluation practices that minimize trauma triggers for students while empowering them to advocate for themselves.
Watch this clip to hear the positive difference it made when Fulfillment Fund took a step back, thought through how to ask more inclusive questions and incorporated a nonbinary gender category.
Showcasing Continual Improvement to Funders
Social Solutions’ CEO, Erin Mulligan Nelson, asked Steve Ballmer how social good organizations can approach using data to apply for funding that will propel their missions forward.
Watch this clip to hear Steve’s response, including why showing continuous improvement and developing community-based partnerships are key.
These nonprofit leaders and philanthropist Steve Ballmer agree that lasting operational infrastructures that support information technology are game changing in the social sector, particularly when it comes to youth services and community impact. No one organization can meet all the needs of individuals and families–we all need to work together.
To partner at the community level, organizations need to have the technology to be able to contribute and keep up. To make this a reality, social good organizations and funders must both prioritize information technology. Social good organizations need to build the cost for technology into their budget structures, funders need to invest in technology and staff in addition to programs, and both organizations and funders need to listen, ask the right questions and collaborate to empower students to reach their full potential.
Watch the entire conversation to hear more, including:
- How Da Vinci RISE High School asks diverse questions to help give students the language they need to advocate for themselves.
- How establishing a culture of evaluation has increased capacity and improved services at A Place Called Home.
- How Steve Ballmer uses data as a listening tool.
- What Steve Ballmer finds most exciting about the future of social services.
- Why Steve Ballmer encourages social good organizations to push back on funders and champion what they feel is important to measure.
- How each panelist answers a question from the audience about the sustainability of information technology.
Fill Out the Form to Watch the Conversation.
Related Resources
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