Data For Impact

Background

The Data for Impact (D4I) Initiative continues work begun in 2018, which established a common approach to measuring opportunity youth (OY) outcomes across the OYF network (known as the Common Measures), provided data-related technical assistance and capacity building supports to OYF network members, and established the OYF Data Use Framework, which describes the different ways that OY collaboratives might ultimately use the data they collect.

The OYF Data Use Framework

Collecting data is not an end in itself, so we start our work with an understanding of how data might ultimately be used for improvement and impact. This framework outlines six ways collaborative efforts can use data, and helps to inform which kinds of data might be collected and used for what purposes.

table of RBA sessions

See our Impact Assessment and Evaluation page for more information on the different data sources and methods that OYF collaboratives use to understand the impact they are having.

Data for Impact Theory of Change

The Data for Impact Initiative, funded through support by the Ballmer Group, focuses on two goals to drive equity, continuous improvement, and impact within OYF:

  • To build the capacity of OYF collaboratives to support the collection and utilization of data, ongoing assessment of site progress, and ongoing codification and distribution of knowledge, and
  • To provide investments to communities to accelerate progress, catalyze local investment, including leveraging, scaling and sustaining public dollars.

Our theory of change outlines how we intend to achieve the goals of the Data for Impact initiative.

 

Data for Impact Strategies

The next page details the strategies used by the Data For Impact Initiative to accomplish these goals. These activities include:

Grantmaking:

  • Systems Improvement Grants
  • Rural and Native, Indigenous, and Tribal Data Enhancement Grants

Technical Assistance, Learning and Dissemination

  • Responsive and Pro-Active TA

Assessment and Measurement:

  • The OYF Common Measures
  • OY Outcomes Target Setting
  • Annual Assessment

Policy and Advocacy

Continue reading to learn more about the four Data for Impact Strategies.