Data professionals are a crucial part of helping organizations simplify complex problems. But due to their high demand across numerous sectors, data talent can be hard to acquire for nonprofit social impact organizations. This need to better understand how to create, attract, and retain data professionals is currently a crucial step in the future of social impact work and one that data.org, an organization co-founded by The Rockefeller Foundation and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, is excited to tackle in their recently released “Workforce Wanted” report.
Using Data Improves Lives
A robust body of evidence shows that the advanced use of data can improve human lives. We’ve seen it through the work of BlueConduit, which used predictive analytics to increase accuracy of identifying lead pipes by 60%, AtlasAI which used satellite imagery to determine distribution of water subsidy gaps in Ghana, and Benefits Data Trust which used automated chatbot technology to help over 11,000 students apply for federal student aid.
Help Wanted (and Needed)
Successful organizations are constantly being challenged to do what they do, but better. While the ability to utilize data does not solve all problems, it can lead to incredible gains for organizational efficiency and productivity. These gains are highly valued and have led to great demand for data professionals including analysts, scientists, and engineers.
For almost all social impact organizations (SIOs), data has the potential to exponentially increase the impact of their work and better understand opportunities, increase operational efficiency, and design solutions. But in order to entice data talent to join their teams, SIOs need to invest in leadership that understands the value of data and creates an organizational culture that promotes data professionals’ success.
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