Community Information Now

Most people and organizations don't have easy access to the data needed to make informed decisions.
CI:Now bridges the gap between the data and the user, unlocking non-public data and translating raw data into actionable information. Our vision is improved lives and decreased disparities through democratized data.

Becoming a community that is good at using data requires more than just data access and we help build these capacities:
- a culture of valuing data,
- data literacy,
- processes and structures to support data use and communication,
- good data management practices,
- access to data,
- help in using data effectively, and
- collaborative and continual planning and action to build local capacity to use data.

We support the Alamo Regional Data Alliance’s vision to improve the lives of people in our region by establishing and supporting a culture of data-driven action. We align our work with ARDA's Community Strategy whenever possible.

CI:Now collects data, integrates datasets across sectors, turns raw private data into information can be shared publicly, and analyzes and communicates data. We also assist nonprofits, public agencies, and individuals in understanding and using the data to inform decisions and improve results. Following are CI:Now's two externally-oriented strategies for 2018-2020.

1. Further our mission by continuing to engage in strategic partnerships with local, state, and national organizations

Related objectives include data support to local initiatives and joint learning through the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership and Alamo Regional Data Alliance.

2. Maximize public access to and use of data, tools, analysis, and training

Related objectives include expanding access to new datasets, addressing hurdles to public access, supporting digital inclusion, and providing training and supports to increase capacity to use data and information.

Some of CI:Now's core capacities include:

- Collection and analysis of secondary/existing data to assist in neighborhood and community planning or change monitoring

- Integration of administrative datasets to link the records of individuals or households across service sectors

- Data visualization through maps, charts, scatterplots, and other formats

- Development of automated dashboards or other data visualizations

- Assisting many different audiences in understanding and using data

- Evaluation of intervention effects on community-wide systems and individual program participants

- Consultation on the development of outcomes/results and indicators and selection of data sources

- Administrative and logistical support to data-related collaboratives

CI:Now debuted as an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit in July 2017, having long operated under the United Way's fiscal agency. In our first year we built and then expanded the interactive Viz-a-lyzer (viz.cinow.info), developed the ACS Tool to be launched later this year, published two Data Spotlights, provided 27 help desk hours to eight different organizations/departments, worked on 25 different projects for 10 public and nonprofit partners, staffed the Alamo Regional Data Alliance (alamodata.org), and contributed in dozens more community meetings.