CGR Produces Indicators Project for State of Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - June 1, 2018 - PRLog -- Arkansas Community Foundation has launched AspireArkansas.org (http://www.aspirearkansas.org/), produced by CGR, an online indicators project with accessible, county-by-county data on education, healthcare, families and communities to help individuals, organizations and communities make better decisions through better data access.

"Individuals and groups throughout the state can use the data on AspireArkansas.org to target key issues that mean the most for their communities," said Heather Larkin, Arkansas Community Foundation President and CEO. "The knowledge they gain can be a catalyst for choosing the most important local priorities to support with time, funding and advocacy."

Aspire Arkansas grew from a need that Arkansas Community Foundation identified for more accessible, localized data that can drive community improvement. Back in 2011, the first Aspire Arkansas report was published with county-by-county data on issues important to Arkansans. The data was updated in 2013 and an Aspire Actions report was added to help Arkansans bridge the gap between data and actions that could accomplish specific community goals.

CGR produced the project, collecting and analyzing the data as well as coordinating the design and production of the online project. It is our latest Community Profiles project and moves CGR's work forward with increased use of mapping capabilities to display data for Arkansas and its 75 counties.

Since the inception of Aspire Arkansas in 2011, Arkansas Community Foundation affiliates throughout the state have been able to make grants and build partnerships to address the areas identified through the Aspire Arkansas data and analysis. Statewide organizations and government entities have used the combined statistics to better understand issues and provide smarter answers to those they serve.

"Key findings aggregated on AspireArkansas.org (http://www.aspirearkansas.org/) all come from previously published sources. But seeing the data together can provide a snapshot of the quality of life in our state or in a particular county," said Sarah Kinser, Community Foundation Chief Program Officer.

On the AspireArkansas.org (http://www.aspirearkansas.org/) site, community indicators help determine strengths and weaknesses and focus efforts to improve Arkansas.  Aspire Arkansas also provides commentary that interprets the indicator information through maps, graphs, summaries and charts. For most indicators, data by county is available. Details of county-by-county data can be downloaded free from the site.

About CGR
Founded in 1915, Center for Governmental Research is an independent, nonprofit management consulting organization delivering expertise in government and education, economics and public finance, health and human services, and nonprofits and communities. CGR has created community indicators projects for communities across the county. To learn more, visit www.cgr.org. To learn more about CGR's community indicators offerings, visit www.communityprofiles.org.

About Arkansas Community Foundation
Arkansas Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that fosters smart giving to improve communities. The Community Foundation offers tools to help Arkansans protect, grow and direct their charitable dollars as they learn more about community needs. By making grants and sharing knowledge, the Community Foundation supports charitable programs that work for Arkansas and partners to create new initiatives that address the gaps.  Since 1976, the Community Foundation has provided more than $179 million in grants and partnered with thousands of Arkansans to help them improve our neighborhoods, our towns and our entire state. Contributions to the Community Foundation, its funds and any of its 28 affiliates are fully tax deductible.