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Community Action, Planning

Empowering Community Advocates with Data-Driven Insights

How MASSCAP and CommunityTeamwork Use mySidewalk to Advance Economic Well-Being for All

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The Challenge

Turning Data Into Action

For organizations like the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) and its partner agencies, having access to high-quality, localized data isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. These organizations work every day to build pathways out of poverty, advocating for resources that strengthen their communities. But getting the right data in a usable format has long been a challenge.

There is a constant need to show the need in the community for the thing we’re asking for. To give organizations better access to information without having to comb through Census tables and do all of that work is a big motivator for us.
Ann Sirios

Chief Planning & Development Officer, CommunityTeamwork

Like many nonprofits, CommunityTeamwork was spending too much time gathering, cleaning, and analyzing data—time that could be better spent making an impact. While new data is released frequently, it often arrives in inaccessible formats, with varying methodologies that make comparison difficult. To truly drive change, MASSCAP’s agencies needed not just access to data, but the ability to use it effectively.

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The Solution

A Smarter Approach to Data Access and Storytelling

MASSCAP saw an opportunity to give its agencies the tools they needed to make informed decisions and communicate their impact more effectively. Initially, they developed 50 custom dashboards for their agencies, providing a clear, localized picture of economic well-being. Seeing the immediate value, MASSCAP expanded access—empowering even more agencies with their own mySidewalk subscriptions.

About CommunityTeamwork

CommunityTeamwork is an arm of the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) serving the northeastern part of the state with resources to mobilize low-income and vulnerable populations.

Visit their website →

 

Now, CommunityTeamwork can:

✅ Instantly access billions of community data points in one place
✅ Create engaging visualizations that bring data to life
✅ Share insights quickly to inform decisions and strengthen advocacy

The impact was immediate. With mySidewalk, CommunityTeamwork can now respond to data requests, build neighborhood-level Community Needs Assessments (CNAs), and answer partner questions in real time—no more sifting through endless spreadsheets.

This kind of real-time access has changed the way CommunityTeamwork operates, making them more responsive, more credible, and more effective advocates for the communities they serve.

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We have become someone who other organizations reach out to. It enhances our ability to be those people who we absolutely want to be—without creating another huge burden for us.
Ann Sirios

Chief Planning & Development Officer, CommunityTeamwork

The Results

Stronger Advocacy, Faster Insights, Bigger Impact

Saving Time & Resources

Instead of manually compiling data for grant applications and program reports, staff can now find and analyze the insights they need in minutes. This shift means fewer hours spent on data wrangling and more time for strategy, advocacy, and action.

Becoming a Trusted Source

With reliable, ready-to-use data and clear visualizations, CommunityTeamwork has become a go-to resource for partners, funders, and policymakers. Being seen as a credible data source strengthens their advocacy efforts, leading to better funding opportunities and stronger policy conversations.

Making a Data-Driven Impact

By making data accessible and actionable, CommunityTeamwork is better equipped to demonstrate community needs, shape programs, and secure funding.

For Jenny Pickett, a grant writer at CommunityTeamwork, the difference is clear:

“mySidewalk opens up my lens.”

For Jenny, Ann, and advocates across Massachusetts, this is just the beginning. With access to powerful data tools, the ability to tell compelling stories, and the capacity to make informed decisions, they’re leading the way in creating real economic opportunity for the communities they serve.

Ready to turn your data into action?

See how mySidewalk can help your organization access insights faster, communicate more effectively, and drive real impact. Connect with us to learn more.

The Outcomes

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Save Time Wrangling Data
Access to explore over 4 billion data points from 40+ trusted sources in one data library on a single user-friendly platform
Become a Source of Truth
Become a Source of Truth
Building trust and transparency in Massachusetts with accurate, reliable data that are always up-to-date and ready to explore
Data-Driven Impact
Make a Data-Driven Impact
Leveraging community data to make confident decisions about needs, where to invest resources, target programming, and how impact generations to come
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