The Power of Dashboards: How Foundations Use Data for Community Impact

Community Foundation Boulder County is committed to building a stronger, more equitable community. Central to that mission is data—a vital tool for understanding challenges, identifying opportunities, and guiding impactful action.

For years, the foundation’s Trends report was a trusted resource for tracking key community metrics like housing, health, education, and demographics. However, the static, printed format of the report limited its usability in a rapidly changing world. Using mySidewalk, Community Foundation Boulder County transformed Trends into a dynamic, interactive dashboard, providing a resource that nonprofits, policymakers, and residents can use to better address the needs of Boulder County.

The Challenge: Making Data Actionable

Trends had a long-standing reputation as a comprehensive resource for understanding Boulder County. Published every two years, it provided data to guide decisions on pressing topics like housing affordability, health disparities, and educational outcomes. But as the foundation’s Vice President of Programs, Sarah Harrison, explained in a recent interview with Colorado’s KGNU Public Radio, its printed format posed challenges:

• Access: Static reports couldn’t keep pace with evolving community needs or provide up-to-date insights.
• Usability: Nonprofits and policymakers needed tools that allowed them to explore and tailor data to their specific needs.
• Scalability: As the community’s challenges became more complex, there was a growing need for a centralized, flexible data resource.

To truly empower stakeholders, they needed a solution that would make the Trends data more accessible, actionable, and dynamic.

The Solution: A Dashboard Built for Collaboration

Before: Print-version of Trends report

After: Interactive Trends Dashboard

Community Foundation Boulder County used mySidewalk to bring Trends into the digital age, creating an online Trends Dashboard that centralizes and streamlines critical community data. The Trends Dashboard isn’t just a technological upgrade—it’s a reimagining of how data can drive community impact.

Key features include:

• Customizable insights: Users can drill into data for specific neighborhoods or demographics, tailoring insights to their unique needs.
• Comparative context: The Trends Dashboard enables users to view Boulder County data alongside state and national benchmarks.
• Ease of access: Nonprofits, policymakers, and residents can explore, download, and share data directly from the platform.

Driving Community Impact

The Trends Dashboard has become an essential resource for organizations and individuals working to make Boulder County a better place. By consolidating critical data and making it easy to explore and share, the platform is helping stakeholders address key challenges and seize new opportunities.

Empowering Nonprofits

Nonprofits across Boulder County rely on the dashboard to secure funding, plan initiatives, and measure impact. Many organizations use Trends data in grant applications, both locally and nationally, to bring vital resources into the community.

Informing Policy Decisions

Policymakers also benefit from the Trends Dashboard’s ability to highlight trends and disparities across Boulder County. From housing costs to health metrics, the platform provides a shared foundation for understanding challenges and crafting evidence-based solutions.

Supporting Collaboration

The Trends Dashboard’s interactive design fosters collaboration by making data accessible to diverse stakeholders. By providing a common resource, it creates a shared understanding of the community’s needs and opportunities, helping nonprofits, local leaders, and residents align efforts for maximum impact.

Looking to the Future

Community Foundation Boulder County recognizes that the Trends Dashboard is more than just a tool for today—it’s a platform designed to evolve with the community. The foundation actively seeks input on additional data sources to include, ensuring the platform remains relevant and reflective of Boulder County’s diverse needs.

By providing a centralized, dynamic data hub, the foundation has equipped Boulder County with the tools to drive informed action, foster collaboration, and build a stronger future.

Why mySidewalk?

The transformation of Trends into a digital dashboard highlights the unique value of mySidewalk’s platform. Unlike generic data tools, mySidewalk is purpose-built for community organizations, offering:

• Centralized data that’s easy to explore and share.
• Intuitive tools for creating actionable insights.
• The ability to update and expand the platform as new challenges emerge.

Looking Ahead

Community Foundation Boulder County’s Trends Dashboard is a powerful example of how data can strengthen communities. By transforming scattered insights into a centralized, interactive resource, the foundation has empowered nonprofits, policymakers, and residents to make better decisions and drive meaningful change.

As Boulder County continues to grow and evolve, the Trends Dashboard will remain a cornerstone of the community’s efforts to build a stronger, more equitable future—one informed insight at a time.

Ready to create your own impact?

Discover how mySidewalk can help your organization transform data into action and drive positive change in your community.