Tools and expertise to enable our partners to equitably distribute resources, prioritizing communities with the greatest need
Who We Are
About Us
Community Data Partners (CDP) was founded in 2022 after years of incubation as a function of Valley Clean Air Now (Valley CAN) creating processes and systems to distribute resources to those most in need in local communities.
CDP’s superpower is understanding where technology can enhance human connection, which increases the success and impact of resource distribution programs targeting communities with the greatest needs.
Our goals
We are a non-profit community service provider. We use technology to make it easy and attractive for community groups and residents to access all available resources to help reduce pollution and improve quality of life in their neighborhoods.
Enable scaling up of proven tactics to increase momentum nationally for community engagement.
The problem we’re solving
There are a lot of public benefit programs available for low-income families to save money and reduce their environmental impact. However there are many barriers, both perceived and structural, for the lowest-income households in the most impacted neighborhoods to qualify for and receive these programs. As a result, the majority of resources often don’t get to the areas that most need the help.
In addition, there are many very dedicated community-based organizations (CBOs) that are trusted voices within their communities that want to help distribute these resources but don’t have the bandwidth needed to navigate all the different processes and rules for each program. CBOs need a standardized platform to educate about the various options, sign people up for programs, and case-manage to ensure that the programs actually get delivered.
How we solve this challenge for the community and our partners
- More than a decade of experience in adapting technology to the needs of hard-to-reach audiences in disadvantaged communities.
- Hands-on experience with helping community-based organizations (CBOs) adapt and implement mobile technology to make it easier to distribute resources to their communities.
- We de-mystify and democratize technology so that CBOs can unlock its value for community engagement.
Our Services
Advise
Community Data Partners works with our clients to dive deep into programs to understand the best route for delivery, areas for improvement, and how technology can maximize impact.
Build
We collaborate with our clients to translate processes into technology systems. All of our staff are Salesforce certified and bring collective decades of experience in nonprofit technology as well as requirements gathering, system design, user experience, and training.
Maintain
We partner with our clients to focus on maintaining and improving their systems so that they can focus on their work. Through our work, our clients can be confident that their technology continues to match their processes, which allows for accurate data and continuous improvement.
Our Work
Prepare for Power Down: Accessible website development to support wildfire preparation
Community Data Partners developed a website to help California residents and visitors prepare for proactive safety power shutoff (PSPS) events. As PSPS events increase in relation to wildfire risk, California Investor Owned Utilities have been tasked with developing an accessible (WCAG 2.2AA) website helping customers prepare for power shutoffs and to increase engagement with critical support programs.
Approach
Community Data Partners (CDP) partnered with three large California IOUs – including PG&E, SCE, and SDGE, to align on the vision for an interactive website that highlights preparedness information, provides interactive tools to help customers better understand programs they qualify for, and increases awareness and engagement of community preparedness tools.
Impact
The website is accessible (WCAG 2.2AA compliant), and includes leading design practices intended to engage users and drive them towards high impact programs. The updated site received approval and broad support from CAL Fire and California Office of Emergency (CAL OES) Services ahead of the July 2024 launch. The site has over 2,000 highly engaged users since launch.
EPRI: Landscape analysis and best practice advisory services
While many utility companies have developed incentive programs to benefit low income customers, not all programs are created equal. Community Data Partners (CDP) partnered with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to develop a framework of leading practices and a related maturity matrix for US based electric utilities to use in improving the impact and efficiency of their income qualified payment assistance and energy efficiency programs.
Approach
CDP performed 20+ interviews across three US-based utilities and six Community-Based Organizations to understand the details of various programs create a related maturity matrix; and developed a report recommending best practices. The report includes tools and strategies utilities can use to assess the state of their current programs and put in place improvement initiatives to impact outcomes across a 1 and 3 year time horizon. Key focus areas across utilities include organization design, program objective setting and management, the use of technology and data to drive continuous improvement, and the opportunity and benefits of aligning with community based organizations.
Impact
CDP delivered its published report to EPRI members in December 2024. These findings were expanded upon in an EPRI webinar in November 2024. We continue to partner with EPRI to perform targeted assessments focused on investor owned utilities.
Our Team
Carmen Dowell
Executive Director
Carmen Dowell is a seasoned nonprofit technology leader with over two decades of experience driving social impact through data and innovation. In her role as Executive Director, Carmen enjoys wearing many hats and is passionate about the role that technology and data play in the social sector.
Kate Smiles
Head of Business Operations and Data Strategy
Kate Smiles is a collaborative leader with a keen ability to translate data into action, combining proven analytical skills with a passion for learning. As Head of Business Operations and Data Strategy, Kate leverages her expertise in operations management and data utilization to drive innovation and efficiency at Community Data Partners and our in mission-driven partner organizations.
Vu Le
Chief Architect
Vu D. Le is an experienced IT professional specializing in Salesforce system management, with a strong track record of supporting private, public, and nonprofit organizations in streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency. He currently serves as Chief Architect at Community Data Partners, where he provides responsive and effective technology solutions to help organizations deliver on their missions effectively and efficiently.
