Data Storytelling Learning Collaborative Applications Now Open!

About the Data Storytelling Learning Collaborative

Across Colorado, communities are facing inequities that impact their health and wellbeing. Different factors, including systemic racism, a lack of affordable housing, and environmental concerns, contribute to these inequities. The Colorado Equity Compass (CEC) works to empower communities – and the organizations that serve them – to better understand the issues and advocate for change using data and stories.

The CEC is offering the Data Storytelling Learning Collaborative (LC) to help 6 community-based organizations develop compelling stories that can be used to educate and advocate for change. Participants will meet via Zoom monthly over the course of 9 months (March - November 2025) with one in-person meeting in Denver on April 30, 2025 (traveling on April 29 for out-of-town individuals).

What will be the focus of the Learning Collaborative?

1. Learning. Participants will learn about the Colorado Equity Compass, the Equity Data Navigator, and why data storytelling is important. They will also learn about equity and how social determinants of health (SDOH) impact equity.

2. Building Capacity. Participants will build skills around being informed consumers of data with an equity lens; and working with different types of data sources to develop data visualizations and compelling stories. Up to two organization representatives may participate in the collaborative.

3. Connecting. Participants will develop strategies to engage community members and build their network by connecting with other communities in Colorado doing equity work.

4. Advancing Equity. Participants will learn about how to use data and stories to advocate for change and identify actions to drive health equity change as part of a policy or advocacy project.

5. Receiving Technical Assistance and Support. Participants will be offered additional individual support and technical support outside of the scheduled meetings. Organizations will each receive a $15,000 stipend to support their time and participation.

What will not be a focus of the Data Storytelling Learning Collaborative?

• The Learning Collaborative will not provide in-depth guidance on data analysis. Participants will be expected to be data proficient, such as being able to download and manipulate secondary data or able to collect primary data.

• The Learning Collaborative will not focus on program evaluation. Participants may use existing data to inform development of their data stories as well as the policy and advocacy project. The Learning Collaborative will not focus on data collection solely for the purposes of evaluating their programming.

• The Learning Collaborative will not provide in-depth guidance on policy analysis, including conducting extensive outside policy research related to the organization’s proposed issue, or lobbying, or direct advocacy support.

What organizations are a good fit and eligible to apply for the Data Storytelling Learning Collaborative?

Organizations that meet all of the following criteria:

• Mission-driven, 501(c)(3) grassroots and non-profits across the state of Colorado focused on health equity, wellbeing, or a social determinant of health

• Organizations that serve marginalized or underserved populations centering community engagement

• Organizations with some knowledge of data and data skills (e.g., able to access and utilize data)

• Organizations interested in developing existing data skills to develop data stories to address disparities and promote equity

• Organizations willing to actively engage and share ideas, information, and best practices with collaborative members

What are the expectations to participate in the Data Storytelling Learning Collaborative?

• At least one representative from the organization must be present at each meeting. Bringing together a small Learning Collaborative of only 6 organizations requires that participants be able to attend 8 virtual sessions and 1 in-person meeting over the course of 9 months, scheduled as follows:

  • March 20, 1 – 3pm MT (virtual session)

  • April 30, 9am – 3pm MT (in-person meeting)

  • May 15, 1 – 3pm MT (virtual session)

  • June 12, 1 – 3pm MT (virtual session)

  • July 17, 1 – 3pm MT (virtual session)

  • August 21, 1 – 3pm MT (virtual session)

  • September 18, 1 – 3pm MT (virtual session)

  • October 16, 1 – 3pm MT (virtual session)

  • November 20, 1 – 3pm MT (virtual session)

• Be present and actively participate in virtual sessions (e.g., being on camera as much as possible, engaged in interactive activities)

• Complete pre-work as assigned to prepare for each session

• Commit to an estimated 24 hours needed to participate in the virtual sessions, pre-work, and complete the final project and 2 days for in-person meeting (1 travel day, 1 meeting day).

• Implement a small advocacy or policy project by the end of the Learning Collaborative, using the stories developed during the Learning Collaborative.

Applications

Applications are due February 7, 2025 by 11:59pm MT.

Preview the application questions and prepare your responses in this Word Document. Only applications submitted through the online form will be reviewed. Click the button below or go to https://forms.office.com/r/REQc9fAyd6 to submit your application.

If you have any questions, please contact the Colorado Equity Compass at [email protected].