The document discusses the Ontario Nonprofit Network's (ONN) efforts to develop a data strategy for the nonprofit sector in Ontario. It notes that the sector consists of 55,000 organizations with over 5 million volunteers and 600,000 employees, generating $50 billion in economic impact. The ONN sees opportunities for data to help strengthen the sector by improving understanding of impact, responsiveness, collaboration, funding diversification, and involvement in policy development. The ONN is taking an incremental approach, exploring immediate opportunities while developing a framework over time to identify shared purposes, principles, and standards around using data to tell the nonprofit story.

1. Ontario’s Nonprofit Sector:
The Data Opportunity
Heather Laird
Policy Lead, ONN
@o_n_n
@hslaird
theonn.ca

2. • ONN Fundamentals
• How We Work – The Approach
• The Policy Context
• Where Data Comes In
• Towards a Data Strategy
10 Minutes, 5 Key Ideas

3. ONN Fundamentals:
The Nonprofit Sector
55,000 organizations
Over 5 million volunteers
600,000 employees
$50 billion in economic impact
2.6% of Ontario’s GDP
(community nonprofits)

4. ONN Fundamentals: Mission & Vision
To engage, advocate and lead with – and for – nonprofit and
charitable organizations that work for the public benefit in
Ontario.
A Strong and Resilient Nonprofit Sector.
Thriving Communities. A Dynamic Province.

5. ONN Fundamentals: Strategic Priorities
Sector
People
Sector
Financing
Sector
Partnerships
Sector
Governance

6. ONN Fundamentals: 3 Key Messages
The nonprofit sector is a steward of thriving communities.
Community assets are key to our collective success.
Public benefit organizations are solutions builders.
An Enabling Environment
For Nonprofits in Ontario to Thrive!

8. Sector People (Our People)
Labour Force Strategy
Connect the Sector Fellowship
The Policy Context
Sector Governance (Our Structures)
Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act
Shared Platforms
Data
Sector Partnerships (Our Partnerships)
Provincial Budget Submission & Analysis
Election Readiness & Analysis
Sector Financing (Our Finances)
Government Investment Reform
Social Enterprise
Social Procurement
Reclaimed Assets Fund

9. Where Data Comes In
Health of communities
Funding reform
Evaluation
Program review
Health of the sector
Labour Force Planning
PensionsSocial Enterprise
Policy Development & Sector Strategy

10. Where Data Comes In
Learn and communicate about impact
Deliver more responsive initiatives
Collaborate more efficiently and effectively
Diversify and stabilize our funding
Step-up our role in the policy development process
See the bigger picture

11. Towards a Data Strategy
Broad Goal:
•Data is accessible and used to strengthen nonprofit sector work in
communities.
Two Track Development Process:
•Immediate testing and acting on opportunities; and
•The development of a framework that will help us identify shared
purposes and principles for work, and tell the story as the work
progresses.

12. Towards a Data Strategy
Framework: A document for discussion to drive action
Focused on…
Standards
Policy
Resources
Leadership

13. Towards a Data Strategy
Current Opportunities We’re Exploring
•Opening 211 data
•Nonprofit registry
•Data literacy
•List of priority data sets

15. Subscribe
Share info with your networks
ONN Membership & Sector Insurance
Conferences and events
Working groups
Stay Connected
Website: www.theonn.ca
Twitter: @o_n_n
Linkedin: Ontario Nonprofit Network
Facebook: Ontario Nonprofit Network
Find me: heather@theonn.ca