COMMUNITY IMPACT - Our Learning
At United Way Fox Cities, learning is central to how we work. It shapes our funding decisions, strengthens our partnerships, and helps us better understand the changing needs of our community.
We learn not only through the work of our partners but also by staying closely connected to information from sources like 211 and the Fox Valley Data Exchange (FVDEx). We listen to nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and people with lived experience to inform how we support and invest in local solutions.
We use this information to guide our priorities, highlight service gaps, and support more responsive systems.
In July 2025, over 100 community members (donors, volunteers, nonprofit partners, and residents) shared their perspectives to help United Way Fox Cities set funding and engagement priorities for the year.
Read the full report: Your Voice Shaped Our Path Forward.
How We Learn
Throughout the year, we gather and analyze data from a variety of sources:
• 211 serves as an important resource and provides real-time insight into unmet needs like housing, food, and mental health supports. Trends in call volume and referral outcomes help us understand where resources are most needed.
• The Fox Valley Data Exchange serves as a central hub for shared data in our region. It brings together public and private sources to identify patterns in health, education, and economic well-being.
• Grantee stories and reporting provide context and perspective that help us move beyond numbers to a deeper understanding of impact.
• Partner feedback helps us continually improve our grantmaking processes and respond to emerging needs.
As part of our data agenda, we also identify gaps in local data—questions we can’t yet answer but need to. In those cases, we work with partners to explore solutions, whether that’s building shared tools, aligning definitions, or advocating for better data collection.
Why It Matters
This ongoing learning process helps us:
• Adapt our grantmaking to what the community needs most
• Improve how we track outcomes and measure success
• Align our work with broader community initiatives and systems
• Make informed decisions that reflect what’s really happening in the Fox Cities
We believe that good data—used thoughtfully—can drive better questions, better programs, and better outcomes
Connect With Us
If you’re interested in learning more about our data efforts or exploring ways to partner on shared measurement, contact our Community Impact team.
Please call 211