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Empowering Smarter Funding Decisions with Community-Driven Data

Community foundations make tough decisions every day. Where should funds be allocated? What initiatives will create lasting impact?

Our Community Benchmarking Tool eliminates the guesswork by providing real-time insights straight from the people you serve, so you can confidently invest in what matters most to your community.

What is the Community Benchmarking Tool?

The Community Benchmarking Tool helps community foundations gather and act on resident input to make informed, impactful funding decisions. It begins with a custom survey designed to capture a holistic view of community needs, aspirations, and priorities through a blend of quantitative and qualitative insights.

Survey data is analyzed and transformed into clear, actionable insights that guide investments and community initiatives.

Foundations also gain ongoing access to an interactive data platform to visualize results, benchmark progress, and collaborate with peer communities as they continue building impact over time.

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Elevate Your Impact

Unbiased, actionable insights that drive smarter investments.

Communities are using these insights to secure grant funding, shape long-term development plans, and bring partners to the table with a shared understanding of local priorities. Whether identifying gaps in housing, expanding access to childcare, or targeting workforce challenges, the data equips foundations to lead with clarity, and move communities forward.

How It Works

A Four-Step Approach to Strategic Community Development

The Community Benchmarking Tool puts communities at the heart of every decision. We help foundations listen deeply, understand real needs, and take actions that strengthen economic growth and foster shared prosperity.

 
Survey Design
We collaborate with you to create a customized survey tailored to your community’s needs and foundation priorities.
Data Collection
Our multi-channel approach ensures broad participation, capturing diverse perspectives across demographics.
Analysis & Insights
We use advanced analytics to identify trends, priorities, and funding opportunities. (Comprehensive Data Visualization)
Action Planning
We collaboratively develop data-driven strategies to guide funding decisions and measure long-term impact.

From Data to Development

The survey powers the next phase of impact.

Your survey results open the door to so much more. After your survey is complete, you’ll activate the tools that turn resident input into measurable progress and ongoing community transformation.

Your Community Toolkit

Unlock the Resources to Shape Your Community’s Future

Each participating community gains access to a powerful set of tools and services designed to turn survey insights into action and create measurable, community-wide change.

 

Community Cohort

Join a network of peer foundations implementing data-driven approaches to community development.
The cohort meets virtually every other month. Would you like to join us as a guest?
Email: Savita

Data Platform

Access our interactive data visualization tools to explore survey results across communities.
Click Here

Strategy & Advisory Partnership

Gain expert support in survey design, data analysis, and strategy development.
Click Here

Your Community Toolkit

Get the resources and support your foundation needs to turn insights into action. With the Community Benchmarking Tool, your community gains access to powerful data, expert guidance, and a network of peer foundations working together to drive meaningful change.

Participating foundations receive:

Receive support at every stage of survey implementation, from design to analysis.

Access a peer cohort to collaborate and share knowledge with other foundations.

Visualize survey results and benchmark against other communities with our interactive data platform.

Gain expert guidance to interpret data and develop strategies that create lasting impact.

About Us

Innovation Economy Partners is an organization dedicated to strengthening community foundations through data-driven approaches to economic and community development.

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Your Support Team

Our team combines expertise in survey methodology, data analytics, and community engagement to help foundations make more informed and impactful funding decisions.

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Peer Communities

Our peer communities and foundations are a collaborative network working together to share knowledge, benchmark progress, and strengthen the places and people they serve.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Community Benchmarking Tool helps foundations better understand the needs and priorities of the people they serve. This comprehensive platform captures data from all key aspects of community life, and the results are shared through detailed reporting and an interactive data portal. Broad resident participation is encouraged to participate to ensure diverse voices are represented. The survey insights help community foundations make data-driven grant-making decisions and invest where they will have the greatest impact.

We encourage you to explore the FAQs below to learn more about how the Community Benchmark Tool turns insights into action.

The cost is $4,000 per community report per year. We ask that participating foundations include a minimum of four local communities (towns or regions) and commit to conducting surveys over a three-year period. This multi-year approach enables meaningful year-over-year comparisons and helps surface the unique strengths, needs, and identity of each community.
Community foundations interested in participating can contact us through the “Join the Movement” section of our website. We’ll provide information on the process, requirements, and benefits.
Absolutely! Visit the Community Projects section of our website to see real-world initiatives that were developed in response to survey findings.
The Community Benchmarking Tool is a platform designed to help community foundations better understand the needs and priorities of the people they serve through surveys and data analysis, enabling more confident funding decisions and community investments that drive lasting impact.
The cost is $4,000 per community report per year. We ask that participating foundations include a minimum of four local communities (towns or regions) and commit to conducting surveys over a three-year period. This multi-year approach enables meaningful year-over-year comparisons and helps surface the unique strengths, needs, and identity of each community.
Community foundations interested in participating can contact us through the “Join the Movement” section of our website. We’ll provide information on the process, requirements, and benefits.
Absolutely! Visit the Community Projects section of our website to see real-world initiatives that were developed in response to survey findings.
Survey insights help community foundations:
  • Make data-driven grant-making decisions
  • Identify priority areas for investment
  • Guide community development initiatives
  • Measure progress over time
Most communities conduct a comprehensive survey annually, with some choosing to implement shorter pulse surveys quarterly to track specific trends.
Any resident of a participating community can take the survey. We encourage broad participation to ensure the data represents diverse perspectives and needs within the community.
The community survey is a comprehensive tool that gathers resident input on key aspects of community life, including economic development, education, infrastructure, and more. Results are analyzed and shared through a detailed report and an interactive data platform, equipping community leaders with strategic insights and visual resources to identify needs and set priorities.

Contact Us Today

Ready to transform your community with data-driven insights?

Start building the future your residents deserve. With the right information and the right support, you can invest in what matters most—creating lasting, visible change in the lives of those you serve.

Join The Movement
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