One of BNIA-JFI’s takeaways from Data Day 2025 is that we want to find ways to sustain community and conversations beyond the event. We also aim to develop more avenues to convene around issues of data access, quality, and sharing. Given these goals, we’re introducing two new ways to connect with BNIA, pro bono technical assistance and monthly office hours with BNIA-JFI staff. Both initiatives support Baltimore’s communities and organizations to use data to advance local goals and priorities.

I invite you to read more about these efforts below and we hope to hear from you soon.

Technical Assistance is Available

Recognizing the profound effects of federal and grant funding to organizations in Baltimore City, The Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance – Jacob France Institute (BNIA-JFI) will offer no cost, pro bono technical assistance to community organizations, nonprofits, and colleges and universities seeking to better understand and utilize community data. BNIA-JFI provides a wide range of services designed to support local initiatives and informed decision-making. These services include consulting on survey design tailored to specific community needs, quick data analysis for neighborhoods, expertise in GIS and mapping to visualize neighborhood-level trends, and support with external data requests.

In addition to these services, BNIA-JFI offers presentations and trainings to help organizations navigate and apply publicly available datasets effectively to interpret community indicators across Baltimore’s neighborhoods. Whether supporting grassroots planning efforts, academic research, philanthropic strategy, or media storytelling, we are committed to strengthening Baltimore’s neighborhoods through collaborative, data-driven tactics.

Reach out to us at [email protected] with the following information:

  • Your personal information, including name, title, organization, email or phone number.
  • Whom does your organization serve?
  • What do you need assistance with?
  • What information sources have you already looked at?
  • If you are planning to use this information to apply for a grant or any other time-sensitive publication, please include information on where you are sending it and what the due date is.

If you want to discuss your idea before sending over information, please set up a meeting with BNIA-JFI’s Director, Amanda Phillips de Lucas at this link.

BNIA-JFI anticipates taking on 1-3 pro bono requests per month. We will generally provide up to one hour of free technical assistance per year for any non-profit, community, neighborhood association, or researcher directly impacted by grant cancellations additional technical assistance may be available but may require a fee for services agreement or contract. Please submit requests as far in advance as possible. While we often respond to email requests quickly, it may take us up to 2-3 weeks to receive and process your request and our availability to provide assistance is fully contingent on staff availability.

Supporting BNIA-JFI allows us to continue to support Baltimore’s data users and create a broad cadre of data champions for our neighborhoods.

Introducing BNIA Open Office Hours

Every third Friday of the month from 12:00-1:00pm, BNIA-JFI will host open office hours virtually. Join us on Zoom to chat with our staff about data and resources, research, or anything else you might be curious about. In addition to an open, casual group format, we will offer 1:1 breakout rooms if you have specific questions. See the dates for office hours and register today!