Data & Impact

Helping teams use data to reflect, align, and tell their story of impact.

You’re doing work that’s complex, collaborative, and deeply human — like making classrooms more connected and relevant or strengthening the ecosystem of care around students. 

You believe it matters–and the research backs you up. But when you’re asked to demonstrate impact — by a funder, a board member, a colleague — the answer isn’t always clear.

Are you moving the needle on what really matters? Is your team learning from your work? Can your staff see the “why” behind the data you collect?

That’s where we come in.

We help mission-driven teams – schools, districts, CBOs — define success, beyond just what’s required on a grant. We help you move from compliance to clarity, from isolated metrics to meaningful patterns, and from scattered reports to a story that truly reflects your impact. 

This work is about more than measurement. It’s about anchoring your strategy, lifting up your progress, and helping your team move with more clarity and purpose.

We bring nearly 20 years of experience in research, education, and systems change — including a decade leading studies with schools and community partners. Our small, expert team combines strong content knowledge with a collaborative approach, using data to support (not sideline) the people doing the work.

Team Capacity-Building

Your team wants to use data to learn, grow, and tell the story of their impact — but they need tools that are practical, not overwhelming.

We offer hands-on coaching and training to build your team’s confidence and capacity for reflection, smart data use, and continuous improvement.

Specifically, we can help your teams: 

  • Learn participatory data methods like empathy interviews, listening circles, and other non-survey tools.

  • Build confidence with data tools by demystifying their purpose and use.

  • Identify patterns in data to inform shared goals and stronger decision-making.

  • Facilitate engaging, community-centered data reviews with students and families.

  • Elevate “street data” to shape priorities, programs, and next steps.

  • Use data for team learning, continuous improvement, and clearer storytelling.

So your team can engage with data as a tool for day-to-day decision-making and growth— not just compliance.

Strategy & Advising

You’re working to align your organization’s efforts with the outcomes that matter — and to communicate your impact in a way that’s both clear and compelling.

We offer strategic thought partnership to help you zoom out, reflect, and bring more intention into the day-to-day — from facilitating powerful conversations with your team to helping managers plan more strategically.

We can provide thought partnership, coaching, and guidance to help you: 

  • Map a clear theory of change and program logic models to map how daily work connects to long term outcomes.

  • Identify shared outcomes, meaningful indicators, and gaps in current measurement efforts.

  • Surface cross-cutting strategies that unify efforts across programs and funding streams.

  • Codify the “secret sauce” practices that are essential to your work, even if they’re hard to measure.

  • Strategize how to report back with purpose — to funders, boards, and the communities you serve.

  • Strengthen your organization’s overall approach to evaluation, learning, and impact.

So you can stay focused on what matters most and make smarter decisions about where to invest your time and resources.

Tools, Systems & Learning

You’re working to build a culture where data and impact aren’t just reports on a shelf — they’re part of how your team reflects, learns, and grows together.

We help teams develop usable tools and practices that support shared ownership of learning —elevating both numbers and narrative, and making impact part of the everyday.

We can help you:

  • Design data conversation protocols to support regular reflection and learning

  • Create templates and tools to lift up stories of impact (that your team can keep using moving forward).

  • Collaborate with district data teams to prepare for grant reporting

  • Co-develop long-term evaluation plans to assess progress and impact

  • Develop screeners, needs/asset protocols, and other enduring data and research tools for ongoing impact work.

So that data becomes a living part of your culture — supporting strategy, storytelling, and shared accountability across your team.

“Research is formalized curiosity.” - Zora Neal Hurston

“Research is formalized curiosity.” - Zora Neal Hurston

Want to Learn More? Talk With Us

Whether you're exploring possibilities or already have a project in mind, we’ll help you sharpen your focus and explore smart ways to move forward.

Here’s how to take the next step — no pressure, no heavy lift.

1

Book a Call

Start by scheduling a quick, no-pressure call with the Heartwise team. Pick a time that works for you so we can learn more about each other and what you’re looking for.

2

We Explore Fit

We’ll ask some questions, listen closely, and learn about your goals and context. We’ll also share some initial ideas for how we might be able to help.

3

We Plan Next Steps

If it feels like a good match, we’ll follow up with a second session to co-design a scope of work based on your priorities. If not, we’re happy to point you towards other helpful resources.

*Curious about cost? 

Most Heartwise projects range from $15,000–$80,000. We shape each scope of work collaboratively — pairing your priorities with the level of support it takes to reach them.