DataKind

One of the sessions we joined at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 - “Digital Public Goods for Global AI Equity” - felt especially aligned with DataKind’s work. The conversation focused on how open data and open-source tools can expand access to AI and support more inclusive, context-sensitive AI ecosystems. As AI advances, equitable access to reliable infrastructure and tools is increasingly a public policy priority. At DataKind, we build Digital Public Goods designed for real-world implementation. The Data Observation Toolkit (DOT) is one example: an open-source product that automates integrity checks and flags anomalies to improve data quality. By strengthening the reliability of underlying data, it helps governments and partners build more trustworthy, evidence-driven systems. It’s encouraging to see growing global momentum around open approaches that make AI more accessible and accountable. More reflections from the Summit soon. In the meantime, learn more about the DOT below. • DOT as a Digital Public Good - https://lnkd.in/e8mTqvid • The research that shaped the DOT - https://lnkd.in/e4BEKRXM Digital Public Goods Alliance, Mitali Ayyangar, Mallory Sheff, Dave Parry #DataKind #DigitalPublicGoods #AIEquity #OpenSource #AIforGood

Nonprofit leaders rarely lack data. What they often lack is the time and capacity to turn it into clear, confident decisions. In this new piece, I share how we’re thinking at DataKind about making data truly usable - not more complex, not more technical, but aligned with how organizations actually operate. Because data doesn’t create impact. People do - when they have the right insight at the right time. Would love to hear how others are approaching this balance. Read more: https://bit.ly/4kKJTEA #DataKind #DataScience #AI #ProductInnovation #DataForGood #NonprofitLeadership #SocialImpact

Data is everywhere in the social sector. Dashboards. Reports. Metrics. Models. But too often, it doesn’t actually help leaders decide what to do next. In her latest blog, our CEO Lauren Woodman reflects on a simple but important shift: moving from collecting data to designing for action - especially when time, funding, and staff capacity are limited. At DataKind, we believe data should build clarity and confidence, not complexity. If you’re thinking about how to make data more usable inside your organization, this one’s for you. Read the full post: https://bit.ly/4kKJTEA #DataKind #DataScience #AI #ProductInnovation #DataForGood #NonprofitLeadership #SocialImpact

This week, DataKind is at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi! Sharadwata Ganguli - a leader in our Bengaluru Chapter and longtime member of DataKind’s global community - is representing DataKind at the Summit, engaging in conversations on digital public goods, financial inclusion, and climate resilience. Happy to see him connect with Smita Jain from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, a valued partner in advancing inclusive, data-driven solutions. AI for impact is a global effort - powered by people committed to putting data to work for communities everywhere. Attending the Summit? Connect with us at partners@datakind.org. To learn more about the Summit: https://lnkd.in/gT4_VZVJ Mitali Ayyangar, Mallory Sheff, Dave Parry #DataKind #FinancialInclusion #ClimateResilience #DigitalPublicGoods #AIforGood

We loved being part of FOSDEM 2026 and sharing how open tools can support climate, health, and research communities. Our session recordings are now available: ▪️ Climate × Health Pulse: Exploring how geospatial data can inform climate and health decision-making ▪️ Colandr: Supporting open, transparent, and collaborative research Watch the recordings here: 👉 Climate × Health Pulse: https://bit.ly/3ZZ9EY4 👉 Colandr: https://bit.ly/3MtIntI Huge thanks to the FOSDEM community for the conversations and engagement! #DataKind #FOSDEM2026 #OpenSource #ClimateHealth #OpenResearch #CivicTech #DataForGood

Today, I’m excited to see Achieving the Dream announce a new effort that reflects where higher education is today – and the heart of digital transformation: using data and technology to support students more effectively.   As more students balance school with work, family, and other responsibilities, colleges are looking for better ways to deliver support that is timely, coordinated, and centered on the whole student. Through a new partnership with DataKind and MDRC, Achieving the Dream is stepping forward to help digitally strengthen student supports across higher ed.   With support from the Digital Holistic Student Supports (DHSS) priority area within the Gates Foundation’s Postsecondary Success strategy, this work will help better align data, technology, and institutional practice so students receive personalized support that keeps them on track to complete credentials of value.   Over the next two years, participating institutions will co-design and test new approaches, generating practical insights for the field. The first institutions include Fayetteville State University (NC), Prince George's Community College (MD), Durham Technical Community College (NC), Clovis Community College - Clovis, NM, and North Central State College (OH), with another institution to be added next year.   We’re proud to support this work and to partner with Achieving the Dream as they continue to lead on whole-college transformation!   Check out the press release for more information: https://lnkd.in/gESbNaE8

We’re proud to be part of the Digital Holistic Student Supports (DHSS) Initiative alongside Achieving the Dream, MDRC, and a group of leading colleges and universities. DHSS represents a meaningful opportunity to co-design and test new approaches to student support - turning complex, fragmented data into practical insights institutions can actually use. We’re excited to learn alongside partners and contribute to building the next generation of student success solutions. Learn more from ATD below.

Meet Gregory Wolniak, PhD, Head of Education Initiatives at DataKind. With more than two decades of experience spanning higher education research, faculty leadership, and applied policy work, Greg’s career has focused on improving college outcomes, advancing equity, and translating evidence into action. His perspective helps shape how DataKind builds and scales data-driven tools that support student success across postsecondary education. Learn more about Greg’s background, his path to DataKind, and the work that motivates him. 👉 https://bit.ly/4bqkn4X #DataKind #TeamDataKind #HigherEducation #StudentSuccess #ProductInnovation #DataForGood

We’re honored to be featured in DataKind’s recap of the Global DataKit event — a moment of powerful collaboration between data scientists, technologists, and smallholder farmers’ real-world data. Over the course of the event: 🎯 Participants from 60+ countries explored millions of data points from our farmer-generated WeFarm dataset — one of the largest of its kind — helping uncover patterns in when and why farmers seek advice, especially during extreme weather and periods of uncertainty. 🌍 This work deepens our shared understanding of what smallholders really ask for — from climate-responsive guidance to market information — and how data can inform future products to support resilience, productivity, and inclusion. Thank you to the global DataKind community and all the volunteers who contributed their expertise, creativity, and energy. We’re excited about what comes next as we continue exploring ways to use data responsibly — and with farmers at the center — to drive positive impact. #DataKind #DataKit #DataForGood #ClimateResilience #SmallholderFarmers #Innovation