Making Data Work for Communities

Data plays an essential role in helping organizations understand impact, improve services, and make informed decisions.

This year, we focused on strengthening how information is collected, shared, and applied across the ecosystem—creating better systems for learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

As this work evolved, we gained valuable insights about what it takes to build meaningful shared measurement systems and how data can best support partners, residents, and communities.

Strengthening Device Access Partnerships

Evolving Our Approach to Shared Data

One of our goals was to create new ways for partners to access and use data that could strengthen outreach, demonstrate impact, and support funding opportunities. 

As we explored a shared dashboard model, we learned that collecting and aligning data across organizations is more complex than anticipated. Partners often use different systems, collect different information, and have varying levels of capacity to contribute data consistently. 

Rather than viewing this as a setback, we treated it as an opportunity to learn. 

These experiences helped clarify what information is most useful to partners, how reporting requirements can be streamlined, and what systems are needed to support long-term participation. 

The work also contributed to the development of new approaches to ecosystem measurement, including efforts connected to ConnectTech and the evolving do.OS framework, which focus on creating more meaningful feedback loops between data, programs, and community outcomes. 

Strengthening Shared Measurement

Throughout the year, we continued working toward greater consistency in how outcomes are measured across programs and partnerships. 

Partners participating in initiatives such as ConnectTech adopted shared surveys, assessment tools, and reporting practices that allow us to better understand participant experiences and program outcomes. 

These efforts created opportunities to compare results, identify trends, and generate insights that can be used to strengthen programs across the ecosystem. 

More importantly, they reinforced a key lesson: data is most valuable when it helps people make better decisions and improve experiences for the communities they serve. 

Building a Culture of Learning

Beyond dashboards and reporting tools, this work reflects a broader commitment to learning. 

By creating more consistent approaches to data collection, strengthening feedback loops, and incorporating partner and participant perspectives into program design, we are building systems that support continuous improvement rather than simply tracking activity. 

As we move forward, our focus remains on making data more useful, more actionable, and more connected to the real-world experiences of residents and partners. 

FY26 at a Glance