Accepting the Community Information Challenge

“We live in the most information-rich age in history,” says David Miller, President and CEO of The Denver Foundation.  “But so much of that information isn’t accessible to the people who need it to make their communities better.” 

The Denver Foundation and the Piton Foundation are working together on two projects that will change all that.  The Colorado Data Commons will bring thousands of sources of public information together in one location.  The Citizens’ Atlas will give people the tools to turn that information into stories that can shape their communities, from neighborhood development to reforming public schools.  

These projects are made possible through matching funds received through the Community Information Challenge, a program of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The Community Information Challenge encourages community and place-based foundations to support news and information projects that inform and engage residents.  As part of the challenge, the Piton and Denver foundations will match Knight’s support. The Rocky Mountain Investigative News Network and founder Laura Frank are also key partners in the project and will assist linking the Data Commons to the media.

“The Piton Foundation has long been committed to increasing the flow of information for decision-makers at all levels in Colorado,” said President Terry Minger.  “These tools will unlock and untangle data currently locked within public agency databases or in hard-to-use formats, providing one-stop access for journalists, policy-makers and citizens working to understand their communities.” 

“As a community foundation, The Denver Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that Metro Denver residents have the information they need to make and track community change,” said David Miller, President and CEO of The Denver Foundation.  “ The Colorado Data Commons and Citizen Atlas will provide access to information and the tools to interpret it. We’re also excited about partnering with the Piton Foundation to make this project a reality.” 

“The Piton and Denver foundations are part of a growing number of foundations working to ensure residents have the information they need to make important decisions about their communities,” said Trabian Shorters, Knight Foundations’ vice president for engaging communities. “Ultimately, our democracy will only thrive if we have informed and engaged communities.”