Data for Social Good Geoff Zakaib, P.Eng., MBA U of C Analytics and Visualization Roundtable January 15, 2014.

Data forSocial Good

Geoff Zakaib, P.Eng., MBA

U of C Analytics and Visualization RoundtableJanuary 15, 2014

Agenda

• Background• Data Science / Social Good • Open Data / Open Government• Data for Good - Calgary• Call to Action

Background

• Amount and Importance of Data is Increasing• Data Most Often Used for Commercial Purposes• Social Organizations are Trying to do Good• Lack Skills to Collect, Understand and Use Data

to Make Better Decisions• Role of the Data Scientist / Data Analyst is Key

DataKind• DataKind brings together leading data

scientists with high impact social organizations through a comprehensive, collaborative approach that leads to shared insights, greater understanding, and positive action through data in the service of humanity

• DataDives, DataCorps, DataChapters

Data Scientists / Data Analysts

Data Lifecycle• Capture and Storage• Organization and Indexing• Validation and Quality Control• Access and Provision• Analytics and Visualization• Interpretation and Recommendations for Action

STRUCTURED & CONNECTEDINFORMATION & KNOWLEDGE

EVIDENCE OF SOCIAL RETURN

FEEDBACK

INFORMATION INSIGHTINSIGHTINFORMATIONINSIGHTINFORMATION

FUNDERSNONPROFITS &

SOCIAL BUSINESSES BENEFICIARIES

GREATER IMPACT& EVIDENCE OF

THAT IMPACT

TIME, MONEY,EXPERIENCE INTERVENTIONS

9

CENTERED ON A SYSTEM OF SHARED KNOWLEDGE

10

Classifications Taxonomies for data that provide a “common language” across organizations

• NTEE codes for nonprofits• IRIS metrics for social businesses• GeoTree for geographic coding

Technical Standards Specifications for electronic data interchange that allow easy and accurate access to information by multiple parties

• hGrant for machine readable foundation grant reporting

Reporting Protocols Standards for data reporting that ensure data is reported accurately, consistently, and promptly

• IRS 990 requirements• The Foundation Center’s Reporting

Commitment for foundation grants

Knowledge Platforms Platforms that allow social sector data to be captured • GuideStar for nonprofit data• GreatNonprofits for stakeholder reviews• ImpactBase for impact inv’s

Governance: Oversight, Rights & Protection

Oversight to maintain the system, ensure intellectual property rights and privacy concerns are managed, build consensus, and drive compliance

• US Government for policies, legal standing, tax issues

• GIIN for impact investing• IATI to maintain standards

and increase transparency for international aid

STRENGHTENING THE SECTOR’S INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN FIVE KEY AREAS:

Joel Gurin

G8 Open Data Charter – June 2013We therefore agree to follow a set of principles that will be the foundation for access to, and the release and re-use of, data made available by G8 governments. They are:

• Open Data by Default• Quality and Quantity• Useable by All• Releasing Data for Improved Governance• Releasing Data for Innovation

Data for Good• Data for Good is the Canadian organization

affiliated with DataKind• Data for Good – Calgary is a new Meetup

group calling everyone with an interest in data• The Calgary community has incredible skills in

the technology, corporate and academic sectors across the data lifecycle

Roles / Organization• Core Group

– Leadership, Communication and Administration• Sector Representatives

– Technology, Corporate and Academic• Social Organization Liaison• Data Ambassadors• Data Do-Gooders / DataThon Volunteers

U of C Research Platforms

Call to Action• Join the Data for Good – Calgary group• Engage the University of Calgary community

and encourage additional members• Reach out to social agencies that would benefit• Ask companies, vendors and service providers

to consider supporting Data for Good• Plan and organize first DataThon in Spring 2014

Questions / Discussion

Meetup Group:• www.meetup.com/Data-for-Good-Calgary/• Next meeting Tuesday January 28th 7pm at SVP• @DataForGoodYYC

Contact Information:• Geoff Zakaib• geoff (at) lumina (dot) ca