How do you build real, lasting relationships with funders — the kind that go beyond the grant cycle?In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, hosts Drew Reynolds and Roger Suclupe sit down with Bill Crouch, President of BrightDot Fundraising Advisors, to talk about the human side of fundraising. Bill shares why fundraising is not just about money — it’s about meaning, trust, and impact.Together, they unpack what it looks like to connect authentically with funders, align your mission with donor purpose, and communicate the difference your work truly makes. You’ll also hear practical advice on how to approach funder conversations, sustain relationships, and bridge the gap between impact and investment.What you’ll learn in this episode: • How to move from transactional to transformational fundraising. • The mindset that helps funders become partners. • The connection between impact storytelling and donor trust. • Why data and relationships must work hand-in-hand. • Practical tips to strengthen long-term funder relationships.Learn more about using data for impact:Take Drew’s online course at CommonGoodData.com/courses.

On this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, Drew Reynolds and Roger Suclupe sit down with Dr. Victor Amaya, President and Executive Director of Data You Can Use in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Amaya shares how his organization flips the traditional research model on its head by starting with communities first. Instead of merely extracting data, his team listens, co-creates with residents, and keeps data in the hands of the people who know their neighborhoods best.

Together, they explore what it means to truly democratize data—turning raw statistics into clarity, trust, and actionable change. The conversation highlights practical tools like neighborhood dashboards and indicators, and digs into big initiatives such as addressing life expectancy gaps and developing a localized wealth index. Dr. Amaya emphasizes that data isn’t about proving, it’s about improving, and that lasting impact comes from relationships, accessibility, and genuine community voice.

In this episode, we’ll discuss:

• • Why democratizing data starts with listening to neighborhoods and residents.

• • How trust and relationships transform research into community-driven impact.

  • Practical tools like neighborhood dashboards and indicators that make data accessible.

  • Tackling big challenges such as life expectancy gaps and wealth disparities with data.

  • The power of co-creation: moving from numbers to narratives to action.

  Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, social sector professional, or simply passionate about equitable community outcomes, this episode offers fresh insights on how to use data to build stronger, healthier, and more connected neighborhoods.

In this episode of the Common Good Data Podcast, Roger and Drew are joined by Sydney Idzikowski, Associate Director of the Charlotte Regional Data Trust, for a deep dive into how integrated data systems can “move at the speed of trust.”

Together, they unpack what administrative data is, why it so often remains siloed across agencies, and how the Data Trust works to securely connect information from sectors like housing, education, and public health.

Sydney shares how building trust—amid privacy concerns and data surveillance fears—is central to effective data sharing, and explains the governance, legal, and technical frameworks that make it possible.

Sydney has been at the helm of turning fragmented agency data into a single, trusted resource for research, planning, and evaluation. From linking school records to shelter stays, to mapping out the pathways of people who’ve experienced homelessness – she’ll share real‑world stories that show how data can drive policy changes that actually help people.

In this episode we’ll cover:

• The biggest challenges with administrative data at the local level

• How a “data trust” works and why it matters for privacy, ethics, and impact

• Success metrics for an integrated data system (think 35 % of a county’s population!)

• A compelling case study on homelessness services that led to a full‑time social worker in a shelter

• Practical tips for researchers, practitioners, and anyone curious about using linked data responsibly

Check out the Charlotte Regional Data Trust and Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy.