The Vancouver Data for Good Chapter
Data For Good is a collective of data scientists, programmers, engineers, and data enthusiasts, aimed at using their skills and talents for good—to help make communities better through data and empower change makers to realize their goals for a better society. We do this by helping other not-for-profit and non-governmental organizations harness the latent potential within their data and unlock insights enabling them to make informed decisions in service of their respective mandates and missions.
Who we are
The team in Vancouver is led by a slate of volunteers committed to making an impact through data on the west coast. 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 the hidden insights within your data assets that can support your strategic planning activities and improve 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 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 a 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;
- analyzing their volunteers and where best to engage them; and
- optimizing the locations of food banks.
The output of our analysis is made up primarily of different types of visualizations. We use several types of tools ranging from Excel and Tableau for creating 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 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 a 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;
- analyzing their volunteers and where best to engage them; and
- optimizing the locations of food banks.
The output of our analysis is made up primarily of different types of visualizations. We use several types of tools ranging from Excel and Tableau for creating 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 Vancouver 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.
Chapter Leads
Peter Kim
Co-Founder
Peter Kim, APR, is the co-founder of the Vancouver chapter of Data for Good. He is a former data/broadcast journalist who has worked in Vancouver and Toronto with Global News, Citytv, and CKNW. He currently works in communications in the science and biotech field helping the world’s leading scientists tell their stories.
Gordon Hamilton
Team Lead
FRASER UITDENBOSCH
Team Lead
Fraser has over 20 years experience working with some of Canada’s largest credit unions and community-based, values-driven organizations using research, business intelligence and data science to support the achievement of social, environmental, and financial goals. Currently Fraser is a Senior Analytics Consultant at Acumen Analytics and is passionate about helping his clients use data driven insights to help all levels of an organisation make better strategic, operational and tactical decisions.
Upcoming Data for Good Events in Vancouver
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 Vancouver
Retail Action Network
UNICEF CANADA
Findings for Overdose Prevention Society
Overdose Prevention Society
Terry Fox Foundation
Click the button below to get started on your journey as a Data For Good volunteer!
Want to learn more? Click here to see our case studies.
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.
Retail Action Network
Terry Fox Foundation
Unicef Canada
Our Community People
KODY ROGERS Community Lead
ARNAV JATUKARAN Data Viz Lead
HEIDI ABRAMYK Communications Lead
Stay Connected with Data For Good!
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Our Community Speaks
John Deo, CEO
John Deo, CEO
John Deo, CEO
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.
