Communicating the contribution: a plan to leverage social services data

Since 1986, Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI) has helped Harlem residents rebuild and sustain their community by providing economic development and empowerment opportunities. Focusing on the Bradhurst neighborhood, HCCI develops affordable housing while providing a suite of complementary social services programming. HCCI engaged a Capstone team to create a comprehensive data management system that would allow communications and grant writing staff to access impact and evaluation data on each of the agency’s social services programs. The team provided a scan of comparable organizations, funding opportunities, and best practices for performance measurement and reporting within their service areas. The team also audited HCCI’s data collection practices and drafted a data collection protocol and implementation plan. As a result, HCCI is now poised to communicate the value of its programs to potential funders in the public and private sectors.