10 nonprofits, faith-based organizations to join United Way's Community Engagement Data Initiative

Starting this month, 10 nonprofits and faith-based organizations will join United Way of Central Indiana for an eight-month initiative designed to help strengthen how they collect, use and share data to better tell the story of their work and its impact.  

Now in its fourth year, the Community Engagement Data Initiative gives organizations hands-on support to track results, understand what’s working, and use data to tell stronger stories to funders and the community. The initiative is for nonprofits with annual budgets under $1 million and faith-based organizations that want practical skills to improve their data strategy.  

Participating organizations provide direct services and serve people living in or near poverty in United Way's seven-county service area of Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties.  

The organizations participating in the 2026 initiative are:  

• Bloom Project, Inc.

• Drone Force Indiana

• iibada Dance Co.

• Inner Beauty Program, Inc.

• Living Word Baptist Church

• Morgan County Substance Abuse Council

• Positive Character Girls, Inc.

• Pretty Passionate Hands Inc.

• Seeds of Hope Inc.

• Trusted Mentors

During the initiative, organizations will receive:  

• monthly learning sessions led by local and national experts;  

• one-on-one coaching around a specific data project;   

• access to tools, templates, surveys and dashboard examples; 

•  peer learning and direct engagement with local funders;  

• a $5,000 grant to support organizational data strategy. 

"Organizations closest to the community should have the tools and confidence to use data as a strategic asset," said Stephanie Fritz, vice president of technology and business intelligence at United Way of Central Indiana. "By investing in data capacity, we're helping organizations make better decisions, demonstrate measurable outcomes, and strengthen the impact they have for the people and communities they serve." 

The initiative is led by United Way of Central Indiana and supported by the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative (IAAQLI).    

To learn more about the program, visit uwci.org/data-initiative. To inquire about participating in the future, email research@uwci.org.