Volunteer Today
The Edmonton Data for Good Chapter
Data For Good is a collective of do gooders, who want to use their powers for good, and not evil, to help make our communities better through data.
We help other not for profit, and non-governmental, organizations harness the power of their data to make more informed and better decisions in their quest to make their communities flourish.
Who we are
The team in Edmonton is led by Bryan Jackson and a host of other volunteers who are committed to making an impact through data in Edmonton.
We are a community of data professionals who provide pro-bono data analytics services to registered charities, non governmental and not for profit organizations.
Our aim is to unlock insights which may be lurking within your data assets that can support your strategic planning activities and improve your operational efficiency.
How we can help
Many non-profit organizations collect data from a variety of sources during the normal course of operations, including details on funding, campaigns, resource allocation and the clients they serve. Over time all such systems accrue vast amounts of data that can support the organization’s strategic decision making.
In-house data can be combined with external data from open sources such as census and economic data from government repositories like Statistics Canada. On past engagements, clients have been interested in, for example,
- understanding how to better target their donor base
- analysing their volunteers and where best to engage them
- optimising the locations of food banks
The output of our analysis is made up primarily of different types of visualisations. We use several types of tools ranging from Excel and Tableau to create charts and dashboards, to more sophisticated statistical software packages like R and Python for regression and time series analysis.
Data for Good can assist in a variety of ways depending on your needs. The engagement begins with a consultation with the Data Ambassador (the contact for the project) in order to assess how we can best add value and the feasibility of the engagement.
It is worth noting that you do not need to have any specific business questions in mind at the time of the engagement. Data for Good is often brought in for an undirected general exploration of trends and other interesting correlations that exist within the data. Usually this will then guide further analysis by prompting interest in drilling down deeper into specific subjects. Regular checkpoints with the client ensure that the ‘wheat’ remains separated from the ‘chaff’.
How we can help
Many non-profit organizations collect data from a variety of sources during the normal course of operations, including details on funding, campaigns, resource allocation and the clients they serve. Over time all such systems accrue vast amounts of data that can support the organization’s strategic decision making.
In-house data can be combined with external data from open sources such as census and economic data from government repositories like Statistics Canada. On past engagements, clients have been interested in, for example,
- understanding how to better target their donor base
- analysing their volunteers and where best to engage them
- optimising the locations of food banks
The output of our analysis is made up primarily of different types of visualisations. We use several types of tools ranging from Excel and Tableau to create charts and dashboards, to more sophisticated statistical software packages like R and Python for regression and time series analysis.
Data for Good can assist in a variety of ways depending on your needs. The engagement begins with a consultation with the Data Ambassador (the contact for the project) in order to assess how we can best add value and the feasibility of the engagement.
It is worth noting that you do not need to have any specific business questions in mind at the time of the engagement. Data for Good is often brought in for an undirected general exploration of trends and other interesting correlations that exist within the data. Usually this will then guide further analysis by prompting interest in drilling down deeper into specific subjects. Regular checkpoints with the client ensure that the ‘wheat’ remains separated from the ‘chaff’.
Community
Community is at the heart of Data for Good, whether through in the people who create and manage not-for-profit and non-governmental organizations, in supporting the people that such organizations serve, or in our own team who simply want to do some good. Data for Good Edmonton is happy to share the knowledge throughout the community and host speaking events to discuss the value of data.
Data Work
You don’t need degrees or certifications to start working with data! With some patience and open-mindedness, anyone can pick up the tools to start collecting and dissecting the multitudes of different data that are so essential to day-to-day operations. For organizations that may be overwhelmed with the amount of data to sift through and don’t know where to start, Data for Good is here.
Are you a Not-For-Profit or an Non-Governmental Organization with a need for
help with a data project?
We are always on the lookout for a new challenge. Drop us a note to see if we can help.
Upcoming Data for Good Events in Edmonton
Want to participate in a Data for Good event and hone your data gathering skills? Stay up to date with upcoming events and register to join!
Meetup: Data Stuff
Some of Our Work in Edmonton
Terry Fox Foundation
Wildfire Hackathon 2016
Unicef Canada
Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Click the button below to get started on your journey as a Data For Good volunteer!
Want to learn more about the organizations that we’ve helped? Click here to see our case studies.
Are you a Not-For-Profit or a
Non-Governmental Organization with a need for
help with a data project?
Drop us a note here to see if we can help.
Want to be part of the fun? You don’t need to be a data scientist or a PHD, there’s lots of ways that you can get involved with Data for Good.
Interested in Volunteering to Help One of These Organizations?
We’ve worked with a cross section of not for profits and non-governmental organizations that have come in all shapes and sizes.
Terry Fox Foundation
Unicef Canada
Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Our Community People
KODY ROGERS Community Lead
ARNAV JATUKARAN Data Viz Lead
