We work with non-profit organizations focused on education, health care, job training, employment, homelessness, food subsidies, childcare, domestic violence protection, community management, policy research, social innovation, etc. Much of the data already collected by these organizations can be used in a GIS. This analytical tool benefits non-profits by providing a framework for understanding human behaviour; identifying community needs and assets; improving the delivery of social services; and empowering communities by enhancing communication.

A GIS is an integrated system of computer hardware, software, and trained personnel linking demographic, infrastructure, utility, facility, or landuse data to agency administrative data: client records, services/resources provided, property details, financial docs, etc. This data is usually geographically referenced (postal code, neighbourhood, street address). When mapping with GIS, information is pulled from these underlying tabular databases, visualizing relationships with agency data, the environment (physical, social, cultural), and over time. This allows people to understand, question, interpret, and see data in many ways that reveal complex concepts, interconnections, patterns, and trends.

Recognizing the geographic context (setting or environment) means people can be linked to place – and this means the ‘where’ that is critical to an event, behavior or phenomena, may be identified. Often the ‘why’ depends on the ‘where.’ The real power of GIS is the ability to integrate spatial information with higher end statistical and analytical processes to derive patterns and interrelationships not readily apparent in tabular data or single databases. The resulting maps can solidify abstract concepts.

GIS can play a critical role in decision-making: determining where and when to intervene, improving the quality of care, increasing accessibility of service, finding more cost-effective delivery modes, and preserving client confidentiality while satisfying the needs of the research community for data accessibility. A GIS adds value and enhances research because it is multi-disciplinary, uses real-time technology with real data, involves authentic tasks, promotes a holistic/systematic approach, and encourages community conversations and connections.