The Common Good Data Podcast
The podcast for nonprofit and public sector leaders looking to use data and evaluation strategies to build effective and sustainable programs in the areas of prevention, mental health, human services, and education.
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Telling the story of the impact of your organization is critical to gaining support—from volunteers to donors to multi-year grants. But using data to show your impact can be challenging.
Learn how the best organizations build a culture of data that impresses funders, wins competitive grants, and changes the lives of individuals and communities.
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Drew Reynolds
Cohost
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Roger Suclupe
Cohost
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Listen to past renditions of the podcast:
Turning Data into Compelling Stories that Drive Funding with Candice Jordan
You don’t need more data. You need a better story.
In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, Drew Reynolds and Roger Suclupe sit down with Candice Jordan, Chief Development Officer at Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, to explore how nonprofits can turn data into compelling stories that actually drive funding.
Many organizations collect data. But the real challenge is knowing how to use it strategically.
Candice shares how the most effective organizations take a backwards design approach starting with a deep understanding of their funders, and then shaping their data, stories, and visuals to align with what those funders care about most.
The Analyst: 6 Steps to Make Data Work for Your Mission
In the nonprofit and social sector, data is everywhere—whether it’s survey responses, attendance records, financial data, or program outcomes.
But numbers alone don’t drive change. It’s how you interpret and apply them that makes the difference.
As part of a three-part series, we previously discussed the strategist, and now we’re focusing on the analyst—the person who turns data into clear insights that inform decisions.
Make Beautiful Census Data Maps & Tables with Social Explorer
Finding accurate, localized demographic data can be a daunting task, especially when working on grant proposals, community assessments, or strategic plans.
Publicly available data often falls short—either it’s outdated, too broad, or not specific enough to capture the unique characteristics of a particular community.
Fortunately, the Social Explorer is a user-friendly platform that transforms complex U.S. Census data into accessible maps, visualizations, and reports for nonprofits, researchers, and community organizations.
Impactful Video Storytelling with Matt Pearl
Every nonprofit has a story to tell, but how they tell it can make all the difference.
In an attempt to build a social presence, organizations may present complex issues too simply or stage moments for quick soundbites.
This is where powerful, story-driven video can create a better narrative.
Matt Pearl, founder of Pearl Impact Media, has years of experience in journalism. He now helps nonprofits amplify their impact through compelling video storytelling.
While storytelling can be complex, Matt shares his simple approach that emphasizes clarity, authenticity, and empathy.