Translating “Nerd Speak” into “Real Speak.”

Who is Data Aims?

Aimee Wilkinson (they/them) is a self-proclaimed Data Nerd who has a passion for translating “nerd speak” into “real speak.” They have worked with organizations across the country to identify, collect, analyze, and report data in a meaningful way that is accessible to a variety of stakeholders. They started their career gathering data on childhood well-being for youth-serving organizations across Indiana. Aimee then spent four years evaluating programs and organizations for a national consulting firm.

Throughout their career, Aimee found the most joy helping a “non-Data Nerd” feel more confident about collecting and reporting data. They have developed data collection tools for community colleges, K-12 districts, and nonprofit organizations and has trained individuals on data collection and evaluation. This passion is what drove Aimee to found Data Aims, to help community-driven organizations show the impact being made in their communities.

We would love to have a virtual coffee chat, white board session, or phone call with you about how to define, measure, and use data to better impact the people and communities you serve.

  • Where to Start

    Data Aims was created to help organizations simplify data collection tools and processes to achieve high quality data. We want to make it easier for you to report your impact to your funders, your community, and within your organization, without breaking your budget. Data solutions do not have to be expensive software packages.

    We believe that data collection, from outputs and outcomes to evaluations, is never a one-size fits most solution. We believe that all communities should have access to evidence-based programs and services. To achieve that goal, communities and organizations need high quality data to build the evidence, and we understand that not everything is easily measured.

    If you are starting a new program, wanting to develop a stronger research base, want to conduct an evaluation, or need a fresh set of eyes to look over your tools, we will work with you to make sure you are collecting the right data, using the right tool, to tell the most compelling story to your community and your funders.

  • What do we do with the data we collect? How should we interpret the data we collect?

    If you have been collecting data to “check the box” but want to get more out of that data, we can sit down with you to discuss how to analyze and use your data to make informed programmatic decisions. We can also help you identify data points to consider to meet your future goals or potential funding opportunities.

    • We can design fully customized training and coaching sessions specifically tailored to the needs of your organization that help you and your team better understand and interpret the data you are collecting and make a plan for the future. Start Here

    • We can examine your current data collection approaches and tools to identify gaps and efficiencies; and (if needed) develop new data collection tools that better meet your needs. Start Here

  • We were awarded a grant for a new program! How do we track the data we need?

    First of all, congratulations! We know that funder data collection requirements can be daunting, and we want to help!

    • We can help you interpret funder data collection requirements, refine (or create) your logic model, identify the key outcomes to measure, and strategies for data collection that meet those requirements and are also sustainable given staff capacity and the grant’s budget. Whether that includes leveraging existing data collection systems to collect the data you need for the grant or developing new data tools, we are here to help you navigate those requirements. Start Here

    • Data collection is more than the tools itself; we can help you determine frequency, who should be collecting the data, and how to make sure that data is accurate and collected consistently. Start Here

    • If your funder requires an evaluation, data collection and training can be (and typically is) included in our evaluations. Start Here

  • How do we show that our amazing work makes a difference?

    The first question to ask is who is your audience - an existing funder, a potential funder, potential clients/participants, your board, policy makers?

    • Like evaluation, telling your story is not always a one-size-fits-all approach, even if you are sharing your story with multiple funders. We can help tell your story to any audience. Start Here

  • I want to collect data (on a program about my community) but don't know where to start...

    Let’s chat about what you want to collect data on or about, and then we can help you make a plan.

    • If you want to learn more about your community, we can gather publicly available data (at the local, regional, or state level) to provide a community profile, focused on your agency and program priorities. Publicly available data can be supplemented with community data gathering, through surveys, town halls, or other methods. Start Here

    • If you want to start gathering programmatic outputs and outcomes, we can identify reasonable outcomes given your program model, determine the capacity for various data collection methods, and develop a data collection and analysis plan. Start Here

    - After we finish your data collection plan, we will leave you with trainings and step-by-step processes to collect your data. Start Here

    - Or, we can work with you to collect and analyze the data. Start Here

    • We can also coach you through creating and implementing your own data collection process! Start Here

  • How do we know if we are meeting the needs of our community??

    The first step is to regularly ask the community what they need AND how you can best address those needs.

    • If your community is your city, county, or region, or the people your organization serves, we can help you ask about needs in a way that will get open and honest feedback that can help you determine the best programming to address those needs. Start Here

  • What is a Logic Model why do funders keep asking for one?

    Logic models come in many formats, visualizations, and levels of detail. Some funders will provide very specific instructions for your logic model while others just want to see that one exists for your program/organization. The logic model shows how you will take resources to implement activities that will make a difference. We like to think about Logic Models as a one-page overview of a program or organization and we believe in making them more engaging than a one-page table. Start Here

Client Highlight

Foster Success ensures that youth transitioning out of foster care are educated, housed, financially stable, employed and connected to a support system by age 26. Data Aims partnered with Chamberlin/Dunn, LLC to complete a report on Housing Instability and Food Insecurity prevalence in Indiana colleges and universities and the services available to students at the campuses. The work with Foster Success and C/D included survey development and analysis, student story collect, report writing, and campus profiles that highlight the resources offered. Representatives from 27 unique campuses responded – which is about 76 percent of Indiana public colleges and universities. The study showed that many campuses do not track student food insecurity or housing instability and Foster Success hopes the study will raise awareness of the issue across the state, resulting in higher quality data collection and additional resources for students. View Full Report