The Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) is excited to launch a new tool for the Putnam County community – a Community Data Dashboard.
In 2023, PCCF implemented a Community Needs Assessment in which residents identified several areas of opportunity for our community. The Community Data Dashboard, built in partnership with Transform Consulting Group, will provide data on key indicators related to these areas including Mental Health, Substance Use and Addiction, Early Childhood Education, Workforce, and Housing.
The ability to access and understand local data is essential for creating meaningful change and providing the best care and support for our community. The Community Data Dashboard is a powerful tool that brings together key metrics about the health, education, economy, and overall well-being of a community in one accessible place.
We hope this resource will be invaluable for Putnam County nonprofits, educators, civic leaders and others.
Here’s how it can help.
- Informed Decision-Making: A dashboard provides real-time data to identify pressing challenges and opportunities in the community. Nonprofits can use this data to tailor programs, while educators can highlight student needs more effectively. Local governments can prioritize policy initiatives that align with measurable trends.
- Strengthening Grant Applications: For individuals and organizations seeking funding, a data dashboard offers credible, localized statistics to back up grant proposals. Funders increasingly want evidence that projects address real community needs, and a dashboard ensures your proposals are both data-informed and compelling.
- Facilitating Collaboration: When everyone has access to the same set of data, collaboration becomes easier. Nonprofits, schools, and local agencies can align their efforts to tackle common challenges, such as reducing unemployment or improving public health outcomes, using shared insights.
- Tracking Progress: Measuring success is critical, but without baseline data, it’s impossible to track impact. A community dashboard provides benchmarks and allows organizations to monitor changes over time, ensuring accountability and transparency.
- Empowering Communities: Ultimately, a data dashboard isn’t just a tool for decision-makers—it’s a resource for the entire community. It helps build a culture of informed engagement, enabling residents to advocate for their needs and hold institutions accountable.
The new Community Data Dashboard is intended to be a resource for building stronger, more equitable communities in Putnam County. The insights it provides empower every sector to work collaboratively in pursuit of shared goals. Whether you’re crafting policy, writing a grant, or teaching tomorrow’s leaders, we hope the Community Data Dashboard ensures your efforts are aligned with our community’s real needs and will set you up for success.
Join PCCF for our Community Data Dashboard launch party on February 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM at Area 30 Career Center in Greencastle to learn more about the project and get a peek at the tool before it goes live. Learn more at pcfoundation.org/events.
