Considers several ways in which data can help philanthropic organizations improve their missions, as well as pathways toward making philanthropy more data-driven. Broadly speaking, when analyzed responsibly data and data science can provide philanthropies with an improved analysis or understanding of the situation or problem; help predict future trends or help evaluate the impact of investments made. This in turn can perfect the way philanthropies function in three broad ways: First, having access to data and data science can influence the overall operations of philanthropies, making them run more efficiently. Second, data can transform how philanthropies are governed, making them more accountable — a topic of major importance in the current philanthropic landscape. Third, data can increase the impact of an organization’s mission by allowing them to make evidence-based decisions and continuously adjust their activities to take account of realities on the ground.

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DATA DRIVEN PHILANTHROPY
STEFAAN G. VERHULST
The GovLab

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DATA
DRIVEN
PHILANTHROPY
GOVERNANCE
MISSION
O
PERATIONS
PREDICTION
SITUATION ANALYSIS
KNOWLEDGECREATION
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
ACCOUNTABILITY
IMPACT
EFFICIENCY
DATA

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SITUATION ANALYSIS

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KNOWLEDGE CREATION
Foundation that used
its data to generate
insight in a problem

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PREDICTION AND FORECASTING
Foundation that used
its data to generate
insight in a problem

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EVALUATION AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Example of Foundations
combining their data to
assess collective impact

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UNLOCKING NEW DATA SOURCES
OPEN GOVERNMENT DATA
PRIVATELYHELD
D
ATA
CROW
DSOURCEDDATA

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OPEN GOVERNMENT DATA

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OPEN GOVERNMENT DATA

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CROWDSOURCED DATA

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PRIVATELY HELD DATA: DATA COLLABORATIVES

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PRIVATELY HELD DATA: DATA COLLABORATIVES
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Data Access Principles
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ document is designed to provide guidelines for response to the anticipated frequently asked
questions regarding the launch of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation‟s Data Access Program in 2011.
This is considered a pilot year during which foundation staff and grantees should endeavor to apply the
principles to grant making and management, seek guidance on the challenges that arise, and document
these challenges for future program enhancements. As such, there are no “wrong answers” regarding
the specific ways in which the principles will be applied in 2011, but good faith efforts should be made.
The goal is to implement the principles broadly and to learn from experiences to refine the process. We
appreciate your cooperation and patience.
Principles and rationale
 What are the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation‟s Global Health Data Access Principles?
 What is the difference between these principles and related elements of the Global Access
Policy?
 Why has the foundation developed these principles?
 What are the benefits of providing access to data?
Scope of the principles
 To which activities and types of data do these principles apply?
 What is meant by final data?
 For which grants must a grantee prepare a Data Access Plan?
 Do these principles apply to existing grants?
 Do these principles apply to qualitative data?
Data Access Plans
 What should a Data Access Plan include?
 What is the timing for completing a Data Access Plan?
 I plan to publish a paper with the findings of this project. Do I need to provide access to the data?

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DATA COOPERATIVES
OR POOLING
PRIZES
& CHALLENGES
RESEARCH
PARTNERSHIPS
INTELLIGENCE
PRODUCTS
TRUSTED
INTERMEDIARY
APPLICATION PROGRAMMING
INTERFACES (APIS)
SIX TYPES OF DATA COLLABORATIVES

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MOTIVATIONS TO SHARE: THE SIX Rs BEHIND CORPORATE DATA SHARING
RESPONSIBILITY
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
REVENUE
REPUTATION & RETAINMENT OF TALENT
RECIPROCITY
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS

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PRIVACY
&
SECURITY
COMP
ETITIVECONCERNS
GENERALIZABILITY
&
DATAQUALITYCULTURALCHALL
ENGES
CONCERNS

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RIS
K
AND VALUE ASSESSME
NT
METHO
DSANDTECHNOLOGIES
PRINCIPLESANDPROC
ESSES
TOWARD DATA RESPONSIBILITY

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METHODS
MOVEMENTEVIDENCE
STEWARDS
MAKING DATA DRIVEN PHILANTHROPY SYSTEMIC

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DATA STEWARDS

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THANK YOU
stefaan@thegovlab.org
thegovlab.org