Need Statement

We are seeking funding to establish an network of local Community Think Tanks that will manage a website, email newsletter, and related networking activity. There are three perspectives for the information needs we will address:

Individual citizens are often unable to participate in community decision-making and planning due to a lack of information and expertise. Even the brightest people do not have access to the best available information and to the range of solutions for the many issues that confront us. At most each of us has expertise in a limited number of areas. Citizens who want to participate in our democracy need current and proposed program and policy news and analysis to educate and inform their involvement in our democracy. Students and other volunteers need this same information to provide a larger context for their community service engagement.

Non-profit organizations that are well suited to serving their constituents may lack the necessary resources (i.e., financial, technical, and staff) to generate adequate research to support their funding arguments or evaluate their programs. The internet is touted as a solution to information access, but the internet has only increased the overwhelming quantity of disorganized information that users face. They need a source of local information to support planning, collaboration, fundraising, collaboration, advocacy, and policy-making.

Communities lack a "local community information infrastructure" that makes important data and reports about an area’s assets and resources available to those who are engaged in (or seek to pursue) civic involvement and problem-solving. Our community partners regularly complain that both resources and communication are fragmented. This fragmentation applies both to those working to improve the quality of life and those seeking to access services.