The Urban Institute

USING INFORMATION FORCOMMUNITY ACTION

National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership

San Diego, CA March 4, 2011

Kathy Pettit, The Urban Institute

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National Trends in Using Local Indicators

• More neighborhood level data available than ever before

– Online systems like PolicyMap, Google Data, etc.

– Open Data and Gov 2.0 movements

• Increased role for local administrative data

– American Community Survey 5-year avg. tract data inadequate

• New focus in federal programs on place-based initiatives

– Promise and Choice Neighborhoods (comprehensive perspective)

– Sustainable Communities (links regional and neighborhood issues)

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• But, still often difficult to find relevant, up-to-date data at the desired geography for community action

• And more than data is needed– Analysis and interpretation

– Knowledge of community issues

– Effective communication & advocacy

National Trends in Using Local Indicators

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National NeighborhoodIndicators Partnership (NNIP)

• Collaborative effort since 1995

– Urban Institute and local partners in 35 cities

• Success required three innovations

1. Data and technology

2. Institutions

3. Using information for change

National Neighborhood Indicators PartnersAtlantaBaltimoreBostonCamdenChattanoogaChicagoClevelandColumbusDallasDenverDes MoinesDetroitGrand RapidsHartfordIndianapolisKansas CityLouisvilleMemphisMiami MilwaukeeMinneapolis-St. PaulNashvilleNew HavenNew OrleansNew York CityOakland

Philadelphia PittsburghPortlandProvidenceSacramentoSaint LouisSan AntonioSeattleWashington, DC

CITY

Types of DataProperty sales, pricesForeclosuresBirths, deathsCrimeEducationTANF, Food StampsHealthChild care

Data and TechnologyLinking people information with place information

NEIGHBORHOOD

TRACTS

PARCEL

REGION

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New Types of Institutions

• All but one outside of government

– Nonprofits, university centers, alliances, funders

• But partner with resident groups, nonprofits, government, and other stakeholders

• Long-term and multifaceted interests

• Positioned to maintain trust of data providers and users

12

9

8

3

2

1

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Nonprofit-broadmission

University Partnership Nonprofit-infoonly

Funder Local govt.agency

Num

ber

of N

NIP

par

tner

s

Type of Organization

Types of NNIP Partner Institutions

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Shared Mission: Information for Change

• Democratizing Information– Facilitate the direct use of data by stakeholders

• Data serves many varied audiences and purposes

• But a central focus on strengthening and empowering low-income neighborhoods

• Information promotes collaboration

– Acts as a bridge among public agencies, nonprofits, businesses

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Shared Mission: Types of Applications

• Using indicators in local change initiatives– Citywide analysis to change laws and policies

– Geographic targeting of resources for programs and investments

– Support individual neighborhood improvement initiatives

– Support program and policy evaluation

• Comprehensive community indicator initiatives– Review of indicators across topics to collectively track community

quality of life

– Well-developed in ten NNIP partner sites; full list at http://www2.urban.org/nnip/sharedindic.html

Source: Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development, Case Western University

Inform community development

decisions

Measure Access to Healthy Food

Average Distance to Nearest Grocery

Store by Block in Chattanooga

Source: Ochs Center for Metropolitan Studies

Average miles

Advocate for Legal Reform

Individuals convicted of selling drugs were permanently barred from receiving food stamps, making their transition more difficult and denying help to their children

Source: Providence Plan

Highlight Effects of Foreclosure on Children

Forced mobility can put kids behind academically and socially

Foreclosure prevention counselors should connect families to student services

Schools need to understand the how their students are affected by foreclosure to design appropriate responses.

Source: NeighborhoodInfo DC

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Developing an NNIP Partnerin your Community

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Getting Started

• Identify champions

– Individuals committed to shepherding the process (not necessarily the ultimate partner home)

• Catalog existing neighborhood data efforts– Government, universities, non-profits, funders– Availability of source data; culture of data sharing– Applications (operational, planning, evaluation)– Connections to community training & engagement

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Getting Started, cont.

• Assess community needs for information– Formal or informal process

– Interview potential data providers, indicator users, and funders (government & non-government)

– Learn about interests and high-priority issues, and build support for NNIP model

• Keep eyes out for potential “early wins”– System not built all at once

– Demonstrating the potential is key

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Finding a Home: Commit to Major Functions

• Build and operate information systems with integrated and recurrently updated indicators on neighborhood conditions

• Facilitate and promote the direct practical use of indicators by community and city leaders in community building and local policy making

• Emphasize the use of information to build the capacities of institutions and residents in distressed neighborhoods

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Finding a Home: Characteristics

• Stable organization with diversified funding

• Mission consistent with data intermediary role

• Organizational reputation of integrity with government and community

• Staff capacity to process local data responsibly and to analyze and prepare data for broader use

• Evidence of collaboration with other groups

• Respectful relationship with community

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Finding a Home: Staffing

Number of Paid Staff

Full & Part-Time Full-Time Equivalent

Low 1 1

Average 6 4

High 20 15

How to Pay for It?Level of Funding

Range of revenue

Percent of partners in range

General support Special projects

Less than $100,000 50% 48% $100,000 - $200,000 12% 17% $200,000 - $300,000 12% 9% $300,000 - $400,000 8% 0% $400,000 - $500,000 4% 13%

$500,000 - $1,000,000 0% 4%

Greater than $1,000,000 8% 4%

None 4% 4%

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How to Pay for It?Sources of Funding

Sources of revenue Percent of partners

State/Local Government 68% Local Foundations 64% National Foundations 48% Other Nonprofits 48% Universities 44% United Way 36% Federal Government 32% Commercial/Private Business 24%

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How to Pay for It? Fee-based Services

Types of fee-based services Percent Preparing studies and policy analyses 84%Custom mapping 79%Custom data development 74%Consulting 53%Other 26%

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NNIP Partnership: Joint Work Program

• Advance the state of practice

1. Informing local policy initiatives (cross-site projects)

2. Developing tools and guides

• Build/strengthen local capacity

3. Developing capacity in new communities

4. Services to an expanding network

• Influence national context/partnering

5. Leadership in building the field

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NNIP Partnership: Benefits for Members

• Dynamic learning network of people with common goals and struggling with similar challenges

• Invitations to semi-annual partnership meetings

• External validation of your organization’s capacity

• Greater visibility for your work in national forums

• Connection to national policy & program networks

• Opportunity to participate in cross-site projects

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NNIP Partnership: Expectations of Members

• Contribute to knowledge sharing and supportive network of the partnership

• Report recent partner activities semi-annually

• Regularly attend semi-annual partnership meetings

• Recognize and promote the network to local and national audiences

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For more information

NNIP Web site: www.urban.org/nnip

NNIP Co-Directors

Kathy Pettit: kpettit@urban.org, (202) 261-5670

Tom Kingsley: tkingsle@urban.org, (202) 261-5585