States for the Future’s Impact Framework

caryn.barretta@ajah.ca on November 18, 2024

Last week we held our annual virtual all network meeting and introduced our newly developed States for the Future Impact Framework. The SFF Impact Framework outlines the common levers for impact that States for the Future organizations are using – or are currently building – to advance policies that improve the lives of residents in their states. 

Explore the SFF Impact Framework

The SFF Impact Framework was developed based on best practices seen across our network of non-profit, non-partisan, data-driven organizations. It identifies a long term vision and goals for a state as the foundation needed for effective policy work. Whether an organization is just getting started or has been working within their state for many years, the SFF Impact Framework also provides four key stages that organizations can work through to structure their impact effectively, along with resources for each stage, examples from SFF participating organizations, and guiding questions for getting started.

As States for the Future continues to build a data-driven policy ecosystem, we will use the SFF Impact Framework as an organizing structure for the resources and programming we offer, allowing us to connect the work we’re doing within our own states to peers working in other states or nationally. 

Join our Data-Driven Policy Ecosystem

While States for the Future serves organizations working to advance policies at the state level, we also recognize the critical role of partner organizations like national advocacy groups, funders, data and service providers, etc. 

  • Members work directly to advance policy solutions in their states toward a shared long-term vision. 
  • Partners provide essential support, expertise, and resources to empower Members to act as catalysts for change.

As a Network made up of both members and partners, we can create an enabling ecosystem where participants can find “their people”, build on one another’s ideas, and work together without needing to do it all themselves. 

Get Involved

If you’re excited by the potential of our new framework, here’s how you can stay connected and make the most of SFF’s offerings:

  • Engage with SFF – Attend our webinars, provide feedback on the framework, and create an organization profile to better connect with our network.
  • Join the Conversation – Whether you’re looking to join SFF, have questions about the model, or want to discuss how your organization can engage, reach out to us at info@statesforthefuture.org.

Thinking at scale: Our October 2024 Virtual Community Discussion

caryn.barretta@ajah.ca on October 24, 2024

On October 17, States for the Future convened for a Virtual Community Discussion with Ten Across founder Wellington “Duke” Reiter. Ten Across is a cross-state organization dedicated to convening diverse perspectives to better share information and to inspire proactive decision-making for resilience and sustainability.

Many states, regardless of their political orientation, face comparable challenges, especially as the climate changes and the impacts are not confined by man-made state boundaries. In this session, Duke shared his organization’s experience with partnering with states in the southern US to address extreme heat and water management, and how other policy organizations can build coalitions, foster optimism, and collaborate with peer states to drive towards policy change.

Attendees discussed what communication tactics worked best for these often hyper-partisan issues and explored how representing new voices into the conversation. This can include customizing messaging based on the audience’s “issue and place,” and partnering with reputable organizations or influencers to shift a conversation.

Key takeaways from this session are:

  • Combining lived experiences with data can help individuals and decision makers picture themselves in the story:  10 Across looks at a wide range of complex issues facing municipalities and states along the Interstate 10 corridor in the southern US. They take  an  approach of “intersecting issue and place” and use storytelling and data to reflect the lived experiences of those in the region experiencing drought, storms, and increased demands on water management infrastructure. This approach can also reduce hyper-partisanship by humanizing the data. 
  • When communicating on controversial issues, recruit diverse voices: 10 Across has found that messages from the “expected” or “common” voices aren’t always effective with audiences, especially on issues like extreme heat and water management. Amplifying the voices of non-ideological experts that aren’t regularly prominent in a policy conversation may have more of an impact. For example, hearing from an Air Force Base Commander – a role that is typically viewed as neutral and non-partisan – on the threats of climate change can be an effective way to discuss what can be a politically divisive issue.
  • Offer a range of formats for storytelling: To reach their broad audience, 10 Across collaborates with media partners to create a variety of assets like  podcasts, videos, educational courses, data-rich maps and graphics, and events. This range of knowledge products creates traction with media and other organizations who can then use the assets in their own work or communications.

If you missed this session, a recording of Duke’s presentation is available here and slides may be accessed through this link.

Preparing for the Big Shift: our July Virtual Community Discussion

caryn.barretta@ajah.ca on July 24, 2024

This month, we welcomed Karthick Ramakrishnan and Akil Vohra from AAPI Data to discuss Statistical Policy Directive No. 15, the latest set of federal standards for maintaining, collecting, and presenting data on race and ethnicity.

AAPI Data began the discussion with the case for the need for disaggregated data, and gave examples of how outcome disparities between the subgroups contained within the term “Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander” can only be understood when the data is presented on the appropriate level. Karthick and Akhil also provided a glimpse into how they inspire action from policy makers by engaging their curiosity through a quiz that tested attendees.

In the discussion portion of the session, attendees were curious about protecting the utility of data when disaggregating, stakeholder engagement, and the pros and cons of representing diverse peoples in a single group.

The key takeaways from this discussion are:

  • Disaggregated data is a must for understanding the issues: Aggregated data can obscure the experiences of subpopulations and hide the need for policy change, while disaggregated data can reveal the impact of current policy or social factors. For example, it has been widely reported that Asian American populations experienced less COVID deaths per capita compared to other ethnic groups in the US. However, data by disaggregated by ethnicity shows that some AANHPI populations were disportionately impacted by the virus. 
  • Data alone isn’t enough: AAPI Data’s three pillars are Data, Narrative, and Action. Narrative is what makes the data feel “real” and helps move the policy process forward to “Action.” AAPI Data shares the narratives of its community through its recommendations and press-ready  reports.
  • Engage curiosity to inspire action: AAPI Data presents data to stakeholders through traditional means such as reports and charts, but will also use playful methods such as quizzes to grab legislators’ attention. This inspires policy makers to learn more, and ultimately understand the need for change.
  • Be part of the change to be well positioned for future work: If you can be part of the change at the state level, you can advocate for the data your organization needs and build relationships with key stakeholders for other projects. AAPI Data has campaigned for many years for the need for disaggregated data, and are starting to see change in data collection standards through Statistical Policy Directive No. 15. The result will be huge swaths of data that was previously unavailable, further enabling AAPI Data’s work. 

To review AAPI Data’s presentation slides, please click here. A recording of the presentation portion of the session is viewable here.

Creating & Launching the North Carolina Resilience Index – our June Virtual Community Discussion

caryn.barretta@ajah.ca on July 19, 2024

On June 20, 2024 our colleagues at the North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office (NCPRO) shared their forthcoming tool, the Resilience Index and accompanying dashboard. Natalie Garrett and Kiel Kinkade discussed the challenges their community faced after the pandemic, and the data needed to understand the key issues faced by their community.

During community discussion. attendees were curious about the adoption strategy for the tool, how NCPRO approached communicating about the data sources used to make the Index, and stakeholder management on the scale that the Index required. Key takeaways from the session include: 

  • The problem your data tool is solving is your north star: Use cases are the foundation from which all decisions related to your tool’s features, data, and design should be made. The Resilience Index was built in direct response to a lack of data necessary for local decision makers to fully understand key social, economic, and environmental issues in their communities.
  • Build data tools with your audience in mind: NCRPO learned what their key users wanted from their index and prioritized those features to their roadmap to build buy-in on the tool and adoption. An example feature in the Resilience Index allows users to parse the data in different views that reflect their interests, such as county or council of government.
  • Educate stakeholders about the considerations, strengths, and limitations of your data product to create the right expectations and usage: NCPRO has created multiple versions of documentation to provide to users based on their familiarity with or desire for details on the statistics behind their indices.
  • Build with what you have, with the plan to improve over time: Sometimes the data that exists at the time of development is less than perfect, but you can always plan to improve sources in the future.
  • Collaborative design can build trust: The process of developing a useful data product in close collaboration with decision makers and/or funders can build trust and relationships. Even if you are a newer organization, doing this well can help stakeholders  see you as a responsible partner capable of becoming a trusted source of information.

Slides from this session are accessible here. If you prefer a recording of the presentation portion of this virtual community discussion, you may view one here.

A look back at our 2024 Convening

caryn.barretta@ajah.ca on June 3, 2024

 The 2024 Convening Report is now available

In March of this year, nearly 70 leaders from 40 data-driven policy organizations gathered in Tempe, Arizona for the second annual States for the Future In-Person Convening. This convening was an opportunity for learning, collaboration and sharing of resources among nonpartisan, non profit organizations that are leading with data and research to drive state policy conversations.

Over the course of three days, participating organizations engaged in interactive discussions, heard from experts in plenary and breakout settings, and connected with like-minded colleagues from other states during networking events and meals. Attendees and speakers included organizations working at the state-level to advance data-driven policy in their states, national advocacy groups, philanthropic leaders, university researchers, and representatives from business and economic development entities. 

For those that were not able to join us in person, our 2024 Convening Report provides an overview of the event and attendees, a summary of what is next for the States for the Future network, as well as key takeaways and materials from over a dozen plenary and breakout sessions. 

Read the report

We intend for this report to serve as a resource for organizations that are looking for practical strategies for developing policy solutions, building coalitions, and implementing data-driven policy in their states. 

If you have questions about any of our sessions, please reach out at info@statesforthefuture.org. 
To stay up to date and get involved,  join our mailing list, follow us on LinkedIn, or register to attend one of our Monthly Virtual Discussions.

Analyzing and Communicating About State Budgets – May 2024 Virtual Community Discussion

caryn.barretta@ajah.ca on May 30, 2024

Our May Virtual Community Discussion spotlighted how two data-driven policy organizations analyze and communicate about their respective state budgets. To kick off the session, our speakers, Mandy Spears of The Sycamore Institute and Jason Stein of Wisconsin Policy Forum, shared the many ways their organizations engage in budget analysis. Though both the Sycamore Institute and Wisconsin Policy Forum create different types of reports and analysis, they share the approach of “zooming out” to provide context and implications of their state’s budget.

The Sycamore Institute achieves this through publishing deeper dives on bigger initiatives, mid-fiscal year trackers and budget recommendations, and a “primer” (a textbook on the budget) every gubernatorial election.

Wisconsin Policy Forum publishes reports that compliment the exhaustive analysis that similar organizations in their state produces, and focuses on interpreting the implications of their state’s budget on “big ticket” line items through visuals and simple language.

Key Takeaways:

  • Creating fair, non-partisan budget analysis builds trust with policymakers and the public alike, and can get your organization invited into new conversations. Offering budget analysis that is both helpful to and at times critical of both sides of the aisle builds trust in your organization and a reputation for being truly non partisan. This helps maintain your organization’s influence regardless of who is in office. In other words, don’t be afraid to ruffle feathers on both sides of the aisle.
  • Compelling storytelling and visuals are the most effective means of communicating with stakeholders. Providing just the numbers of the budget will not create the impact your organization is looking for – instead take your audience by the hand and explain what the budget means, and the implications that policy makers can learn from and use in their own efforts.
  • Tailor your organization’s budget work around what is already available in your state. Creating work that is duplicative to what is already available will not help you make an impact. Instead, offer analysis that is unique. For example, if another organization in your state writes comprehensive budget analysis, try creating complementary work that translates the key facts into shorter and/or more accessible language.
  • If you want to get involved with budget work, you can start small. Most of a state’s budget dollars are allocated toward just a few major budget categories. You can focus on just those few items to cover most of your state’s budget, and may spare you from engaging in policy areas your organization doesn’t otherwise wish to tackle.

Slides from the virtual community discussion may be viewed here. To view a recording of the presentation portion of the VCD, please use this link.

Using the States for the Future Data Platform – April 2024 Virtual Community Discussion

caryn.barretta@ajah.ca on April 15, 2024

This month, our Virtual Community Discussion explored how data-driven policy organizations can use the States for the Future data platform. Speakers Dr. Holly Heard of Texas 2036 and Dr. David McClendon of January Advisors, both of whom were instrumental in all phases of building our platform, highlighted new features and data, including four new indicator areas launched this month! (Infrastructure, Government Performance, Natural Resources, and Justice and Safety)

Our discussion began with Holly and David providing background on how the indicators were selected and explaining the key ways that data-driven organizations can leverage the SFF data platform in their work:

  1. Serving as a trusted data source that offers vetted, up-to-date data that can generate summary visualizations, downloadable tables, or linked via API to power your own tools.
  2. Providing context and comparison to illustrate not just trends in your state but how they compare with other states and the nation as a whole. This includes multiple ways to disaggregate the data. 
  3. Connecting with peers using the organization profile feature to find others who are focused on the same policy areas and may be able to advise, brainstorm, or partner with.
  4. Act as a launchpad for prototyping your own tool – select indicators you want to display and share with partners or funders via the Organization Profile URL OR use the API as a reliable data source as you develop and launch your own tool

Followed by a tour of the platform, attendees saw how to use the indicator explorer, access the API, and create their own organizational profile. 

For the last 30 minutes of our discussion, attendees asked questions of Holly and David and each other. Three main lines of inquiry emerged during the conversation:

  • What skills are needed to create a data tool? What is the right balance between in-house and vendor or researcher expertise?
  • How can these types of platforms support smaller organizations or government entities with the time consuming work of wrangling and maintaining data?
  • Can data tools generate enough revenue for organizations, like nonprofits, to self-sustain or partially sustain themselves? How do funder priorities impact the development of a data product? How can we sustain the States for the Future data platform? Should certain features be gated through a log-in or have a cost to access? 

Many of these topics are covered more in-depth in our newest network resource, Building Quality Data Products. Please contact the SFF team at info@statesforthefuture.org if you are looking for thought partnership in building your own data product!

Thank you to all the new and familiar faces who joined this month’s virtual community discussion and shared their knowledge, thoughts, and comments. It was wonderful to reunite with many after our in-person convening in Tempe! 

You can access the materials from this virtual community discussion here:

Slides
Recording

Building Quality Data Products – A States for the Future Community Resource

caryn.barretta@ajah.ca on April 11, 2024

States for the Future is excited to share its newest Network Resource: Building Quality Data Products. 

As data-driven policy organizations, one of the most effective ways to impact policy conversations happening in our states is by making data and analysis accessible and meaningful to decision makers and community members. 

Quality data products—such as dashboards, infographics, dynamic data visualizations, calculators, simulators, interactive maps, etc.—can serve as a starting point for shared facts, bring clarity to complex problems, and support policy analysis and goals. 

But creating quality data products requires organizations to invest in not only the build, but also ongoing maintenance and efforts to drive adoption and use of a data product.  In this resource, we discuss the Purpose, People, Build, and Action best practices that can lead to success, as well as tips, resources, and links to other products peers have created for inspiration. 

Leveraging the expertise of States for the Future organizations and Network partners Ajah and January Advisors, Building Quality Data Products builds on the robust conversations during our “Building Data Products” breakout session at our 2024 Annual Convening in Tempe, Arizona. In this session, and in many of our monthly virtual community discussions, Network members have discussed the common challenges and considerations that nonprofit, data-driven policy organizations face when making decisions about building data products. This network resource attempts to address many of those questions, including:

  • Should I create a data product? What type of data product should I create?
  • What should I look for in a vendor?
  • Will people use my data product?
Read the resource

We would love your feedback on this Community Resource! If you have any comments or want to brainstorm on your own data product, please let us know at info@statesforthefuture.org.