Unpacking the Role of Data in Philanthropy: Prospects for an Integrated Framework

This article reports qualitative research that explores the role of data in philanthropy and proposes an integrated framework. Interviews with charitable foundations in central Texas, including members of a regional evaluation and learning collaborative, reveal an orientation toward data that is becoming increasingly institutionalized. The research suggests that data are generated and used in a multiplicity of ways, including identifying populations and geographies in need of investment, informing funding decisions for service delivery as well as policy research and advocacy; evaluation and learning; and measuring community impact. This article discusses these thematic findings, notes specific practices, and presents six principles for integrating a data perspective into philanthropy