About
MIssion and History
At DataHaven, our mission is to empower people to create thriving communities by collecting and ensuring access to data on well-being, equity, and quality of life. We have served Connecticut as a nonprofit organization since 1992, working with many partners to develop reports, tools, and technical assistance programs that make information more useful to local communities.
DataHaven is a partner of the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership, a learning network, coordinated by the Urban Institute, of independent organizations in 30 cities that share a mission to ensure all communities have access to data and the skills to use information to advance equity and well-being across neighborhoods. We are also involved in initiatives to further the use of high-quality data at a local and statewide level throughout Connecticut.
DataHaven (legal name: Regional Data Cooperative for Greater New Haven Inc) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is registered as a Public Charity with the State of Connecticut. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.
Please enjoy exploring our website, sign up for our e-mail newsletter (at the bottom of this page), follow us on social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky), and contact us with any questions or suggestions.
Services
In addition to this website and publicly-available reports that provide access to a wide range of data, DataHaven offers services that promote access to high-quality information and analysis. We also offer public programs and events.
The services that DataHaven makes available on a partnership and/or program consulting basis include:
- Report writing and design
- Infographics, charts, and data visualization
- Survey design, collection, and analysis
- Mapping, spatial analysis, and geocoding
- Statistical analyses and data science consulting
- Program evaluation
- Community needs assessments and CHNAs
- Technical assistance and training (see below)
- Qualitative research, interviews, and focus groups
- Presentations and lectures on topics of public interest
Training & Assistance
Each year, DataHaven provides over $25,000 worth of free technical assistance to hundreds of local and statewide non-profit organizations, researchers, journalists, and government agencies.
We primarily assist these organizations by answering questions about public data sources connecting organizations with community-based experts or topic experts, and by supporting grant writing, data development, and other research activities.
DataHaven occasionally provides “Connecticut data workshop” training sessions for local organizations and the general public.
Ask Mark
Technical Assistance for Organizations and Agencies
If you are eligible for assistance, our Executive Director, Mark Abraham, and staff will work to help you find the most useful data for your program or project.*
Media Inquiries
If you’re a journalist from a major citywide or statewide media outlet, please reach out to us directly. Our Executive Director, Mark Abraham, will prioritize responding to your inquiry as quickly as possible.
DataHaven reserves the right to determine your eligibility for assistance and our own ability to help.
We will generally provide up to one hour of free technical assistance per year for any non-profit organization or government entity in Connecticut; additional technical assistance is available but may require a fee for services agreement or contract
We are often able to answer simple questions that students or independent researchers may have about the information on our website, but we are generally not staffed to provide free assistance for individuals or to answer requests related to other independent projects. Please submit requests as far in advance as possible. While we often respond quickly, it may take us up to 2-3 weeks to receive and process your request, and our availability to provide assistance is contingent on staff availability.
Staff
The DataHaven team has decades of experience in quantitative and qualitative research, as well as deep expertise in community data use. In addition to our core staff, we work with a number of researchers and consultants located throughout Connecticut and the United States who provide invaluable contributions and advice.
Board
DataHaven is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.
Penny has extensive experience as a nonprofit leader with a particular passion for research and data analysis. She has previously served as Senior Vice President for Grantmaking and Strategy at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, leading the Foundation’s efforts to build community knowledge. Prior to coming to The Community Foundation, she was managing director and director of research at Connecticut Voices for Children. Before joining CT Voices, Dr. Canny was assistant dean for the Yale School of Public Health where she also earned a Ph.D. in Chronic Disease Epidemiology. She maintains an appointment at Yale’s School of Public Health and serves on its Leadership Council.