Data for Equity
Equipping local governments with data tools, insights, and expertise to build inclusive, equitable, and sustainable economies
About Data for Equity
Launched by the Centre for Public Impact and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Data for Equity is a collaborative network of city governments working together to close wealth and opportunity gaps.
Read the Data for Equity report and download the Data Tool Playbook
Do you want to close wealth and opportunity gaps in your community? Harness the power of data to advance racial equity and economic inclusion. Read our report and download our Data Tool Playbook for resources to support local governments.
The challenge
Cities across the United States are working to solve a host of challenges facing their communities and exacerbated by the pandemic, including mounting racial and economic inequality, financial insecurity, job fragility, and unequal access to opportunity. As more than $60 billion in federal funding is being made available to local governments, planners and policymakers can use data-driven insights and tools to help ensure new investments benefit all communities. However, not all local officials have the capacity to put tools, resources, and expertise together to achieve equitable outcomes.
Data for Equity’s promise and possibilities
Data for Equity creates an open learning environment that supports city leaders in leveraging data assets for outcomes that matter to their residents. It operates as a community of practice learning cohort – a collaborative learning space in which cities can both ideate on solutions for their specific community and share insights with their peers.
This program brings together Chief Equity, Technology and Data Officers from across the nation, working alongside other government officials focused on economic development and innovation. Cities also gain access to innovative, place-based data tools; connect with data experts from the Urban Institute, Brookings Institution, Southern Economic Advancement Project, National Conference of State Legislatures, Accelerator for America, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and Opportunity@Work; and join a network of leaders who are committed to using the power of data to advance economic inclusion.
At the end of the ten-week program, city governments bring all of these assets together to accelerate inclusive economic initiatives in their community.
Participating cities
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta will use data-driven frameworks and analytical tools to inform the prioritization and allocation of investments in key neighborhoods while leveraging policies to dismantle systemic inequities, as they continue Moving Atlanta Forward.
Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore will identify data, tools, and resources to increase transparency and accountability, ultimately improving the access and affordability of services, distribution of funds and resources, and recruitment and retention of a strong workforce.
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham will use data to drive rapid, disruptive, just, simple, and effective place-based response and development in devalued neighborhoods.
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton will create a standardized process to collect and analyze data from services providers, enabling the City to tell the story of its business ecosystem and influence data-driven decision-making on programming, funding, and business support.
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville will identify key data to improve services for Black residents with the ultimate goal of recommending methods to rectify the vestiges of discrimination caused by “redlining” Historically Black Neighborhoods.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City will use data to identify major languages spoken in the City, understand how the City can better support economic growth for non-English speaking communities, and make policy recommendations that break down barriers to resources and opportunities.
St. Louis, Missouri
The City of St. Louis will refine, improve, and expand outcome measures for EJAP and ARPA funded programs to ensure they are driving equitable outcomes and providing the requisite data for analysis and improvement.
Content from the cohort
See what’s happening in the Data for Equity cohort and gain actionable insights to help your government build a more inclusive economy.
3 data tools cities can leverage to build inclusive economies
3 tools to connect racial equity goals with policy development
Tips for cities to maximize federal funding and support equity
Get in touch
Interested in learning more about Data for Equity or being kept in the loop on updates from the cohort? Let us know and a member of our team will be in touch.