The Social Planning Council of Ottawa (SPCO) has contributed to the increased capacity of voluntary sector organizations to use research and evaluation in their efforts to provide effective programming for members of our community. Lending our experience in social research, policy analysis, and community consultation to non-profit organizations and community members, we produce and integrate ncommunity-based research in planning processes and act on priority social and economic issues. Our projects benefit from superior access to data, thanks to our membership in the Community Data Consortium, and to the full range of skills, knowledge, and expertise of our SPCO staff and volunteers.
Four Key Points of Voluntary Sector Supports
Provide The Necessary Information to Take Action on Priority Areas
Provide a thematic research update that will be used to develop action plans, coordinate resources,
and advocate & engage partners. The NEI tracks change on neighbourhood well-being & equity.
Access to Reliable data
Provide access to reliable data to empower communities in their efforts for building an equitable society. (Data for Purpose, customized data & report)
Program Eveluation
Effective Measures support community programs to develop and implement effective programs and track outcomes. Ensured internal (program processes) & external (funders) accountability of programs by investigating program processes, and outcomes, and
developing evidence-based reports.
Community Development Evaluation and custom Data Portal
Gather program evaluation data, including all the Community Development Framework neighbourhoods.
Results
- 34 new data resources through the Ottawa Community Data Program and Neighbourhood Equity Index.
- Responded to over 34 custom information requests for data, data insights and presentations from community serving agencies, low-budget social organizations and individuals addressing equity issues.
- Prepared evaluation report for the Black Collective Ottawa for the funded OCF project. The report highlighted successful impact achieved by the project and capacity building achieved as a result of the grant.
- Prepared year 2 evaluation report for The Federal Internship for Newcomers – Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (FIN-YESS) program. Report submitted in July 2024. The consortium program involved three implementing partners.
- Concluded the Ottawa employment report highlighting the youth employment barriers impacting racialized and black youth in Ottawa.
Programs
Do you need reliable data…
- To understand what the new census says about the people or area you serve?
- To update your organization’s planning?
- To provide evidence on the need for programs or policy improvements?
Find out how the Ottawa and Region Data Consortium can help you, here.
Increasing the capacity of voluntary sector agencies and community members to effectively use data and research for planning processes and in taking action on social and economic issues. > Read More
Explore our hird release of new data from the 2021 census. This release is focused on income. Data is available in maps, dashboards and tables, including comparisons since 2001.
Our previous releases explored change in population, age and gender.
The Social Planning Council hosts a membership-based data consortium with extensive socio-economic and socio-demographic data. For information about our Ottawa and Region Data Consortium contact [email protected]