Great Ideas – A One-Stop Data Shop for Philanthropy with Liz Kane & Amy Sample Ward

Oct 8

Great Ideas – A One-Stop Data Shop for Philanthropy with Liz Kane & Amy Sample Ward

What if nonprofits could control, update, and reuse their information instead of repeatedly entering it into disconnected, proprietary systems? In Part 1 of this two-part episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie is joined by Liz Kane (John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation) and Amy Sample Ward (CEO of NTEN). Together, they explore how shared digital infrastructure like MacArthur’s Philanthropy Data Commons can streamline philanthropic work; why joy and process are forms of care in movement building; and how technology should adapt to human missions rather than forcing organizations into rigid boxes.

Key Takeaways:

Joy and connection are part of sustaining difficult work, not distractions from it.
Shared infrastructure can reduce repeated data entry and give organizations more control over how their information is used.
Data includes stories about a program’s purpose and effectiveness, not just numbers.
Sharing information can help organizations learn from one another without turning collaboration into a contest to find one model that works for everyone.
Organizations know their missions and communities; technology should serve that expertise, not override it.

"At the end of the day, how we do the work matters… ‘Process is care.’" — Liz Kane

"Your job is to live this mission, to deliver these incredible programs, services, benefits, whatever, and technology is a tool to help you do that. But if it's not helping you, it's not the tool for you." — Amy Sample Ward

More About Elizabeth (Liz) Kane:

Elizabeth (Liz) Kane is Managing Director of Core Services at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Co-Director of the Philanthropy Data Commons ® (PDC). At MacArthur, she leads grants management, knowledge management, and meeting and event services while serving on the Foundation's Leadership Advisory Team. Through her leadership of PDC, she is helping advance shared, consent-based infrastructure that enables trusted information exchange and fosters a more connected, collaborative philanthropic ecosystem.

More About Amy Sample Ward:

Amy Sample Ward (they/them) believes that technology should be accessible and accountable to everyone, especially communities historically and systemically excluded from the digital world. They are the CEO of NTEN, a nonprofit creating a world where missions and movements are more successful through the skillful and equitable use of technology. Amy is currently the Visiting Scholar on AI at Independent Sector as well as a board member and advisor to a number of other organizations.

Connect with Elizabeth (Liz) Kane:
Website: www.philanthropydatacommons.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philanthropy-data-commons

Connect with Amy Sample Ward:

Website: www.nten.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nten

Connect with Kristine:

The PlayFull Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/pod cast/t he-playfull-po dcast-with-k ristine-michie-bringing-fun/id1676838213?ac tion=write-review

Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/

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