In 2020, Swinburne University of Technology’s Social Innovation Research Institute partnered with Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Entertainment Assist, Good Cycles and Yooralla, to create the Data for Good Collaboration model.

The project had two aims:

• Build organisational data capacity through knowledge sharing about data literacy, expertise and collaboration
• Deliver data insights through a methodology of collaborative data analytics

This report presents key findings from the research partnership, which involved the design and delivery of a series of webinars that built data literacy; and participatory data capacity-building workshops facilitated by teams of social scientists and data scientists. It also draws on interviews with participants, reflecting on the benefits and opportunities data literacy can offer to individuals and organisations in the not-for-profit and NGO sectors.

To be effective, the outcomes of data collaboration and action should be local, targeted, domain and context specific, culturally sensitive, and responsive to local regulation and organisational contexts. For these reasons, the Data for Good Collaboration model developed through this project is case-study focused. We share it here to generate new conversations regarding the potential for collaboration with the community sector.