Analytics for Advocacy

Advocacy groups often do not have the capacity to access policy, data, and technological resources that will support them to effectively change legislation. Data shows that 78 percent of nonprofits with advanced analytics capabilities indicate higher effectiveness in performing their mission. However, 67 percent of those nonprofits fall in the early stages of their analytics journeys. Meanwhile, the availability of data and the advancement of algorithms has allowed decision-makers at all levels to increasingly use data to inform policy. Without sufficient guardrails to evaluate and discourage bias, these models can create and perpetuate inequities. The fortification of bias in institutions such as the police requires strengthened coordination from community groups that hope to influence progressive legislation and policy change.

Many advocacy groups have the vision for how to strengthen their impact, but they are forced to make difficult decisions about where to commit their resources. This challenge is exacerbated by the fact that there is a wide gap between the funding of white-led organizations and Black/other POC-led organizations. A major challenge for organizations is developing the materials and tools needed to advance their policy agendas.

AFA provides advocacy groups with implementation plans, custom data collection, and analysis, tech solutions, and thought partnership. We work at the intersection of data, technology, and policy to develop evidence-based recommendations that empower advocacy groups to achieve their mission more effectively.

AFA strives to build a bridge between direct action and legislative change. We do this by providing custom-designed resources to our clients, at zero cost to their organization, and the tools and training to replicate the analysis in the future. We believe advocacy groups can build power and advance their legislative agendas through the use of relevant and reliable data, increased knowledge of policy procedures, and streamlined operations.

AFA  is currently conducting a pilot project, partnering with the Alliance for Police Accountability (APA), 1Hood Media, and the Reimagining Public Safety table to address how funds can be directed from the Allegheny County and City of Pittsburgh police budgets to effectively address homelessness.

AFA will identify funding sources to be redirected and recommend initiatives to invest in. AFA will create data visualizations and a report that highlights the type and amount of resources that can be used to alleviate homelessness. AFA will ensure that services can be replicated by providing guidelines for analysis, including budget comparisons between different counties by assessing similarities in population, demographics, socioeconomic conditions, and geographic location.

Key Stakeholders: Alliance for Police Accountability, 1 Hood Media, The Reimagining Public Safety Table, The Economic Justice Circle, Analytics for Advocacy, Allegheny County Budget Office, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Residents of Allegheny County