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Why Public Sector AI Must Show Its Work
Feb 17, 2026 3:30:19 PM
Why Public Sector AI Must Show Its Work
by Matt Barr on Feb 17, 2026 3:30:19 PM
In a recent post, we explored why AI hallucinations are a governance problem, not just a technical flaw. The real risk isn't that AI makes mistakes. It's that those mistakes can slip into public decisions.
Why AI Hallucinations Are a Governance Problem, Not a Tech Problem
by Matt Barr on Feb 12, 2026 11:02:16 AM
If you work in public sector, you’ve likely heard a version of this by now: AI makes things up. AI hallucinates. AI can’t be trusted.
From Mission to Measurable Impact: The Launch of Sidekick Build
by Stephen Hardy on Feb 5, 2026 10:17:53 AM
I’ve sat in your seat. The data you need is out there — you can feel it — but it's scattered across agencies, systems, and formats that refuse to talk to each other. And the effort to pull it all together is so daunting that it either doesn't happen or takes weeks you don't have.
How Can Public and Nonprofit Teams Overcome the Data Capacity Crisis?
by Stephen Hardy on Jan 30, 2026 8:55:16 AM
Data work is still too hard, too manual, and too disconnected from action. That's the data capacity crisis—and in 2026, we're done just talking about it. Whether it’s a planning department juggling strategy or reporting requests or a local nonprofit trying to tell a better story with …
The Data Capacity Crisis Explained: A Q&A with Stephen Hardy
by Stephen Hardy on Nov 25, 2025 8:06:02 AM
Across the country, community leaders are swimming in data but struggling to make sense of it. Dashboards multiply, datasets expand, and yet the people tasked with using data to drive change are often out of time, under-resourced, and overwhelmed. At mySidewalk, we call this the Data …
The Data Capacity Crisis
by Stephen Hardy on Nov 5, 2025 3:52:48 PM
We Don't Have a Data Problem — We Have a Capacity Problem Everyone's talking about data like it's gold. But if you've ever tried to actually use it, you know the truth: data is more like crude oil (or bio fuel) — valuable, but only if you have the time and tools to refine it. Here's t …
We Believe in Your Data—Here's Why
by Carmen Vajgrt on Sep 25, 2025 2:30:01 PM
At mySidewalk, we’ve spent more than a decade building one of the most comprehensive community data platforms in the country, fueled by a library of standardized, public data. We believe in its power to shine light on community assets, measure equity gaps, and unlock better decision-m …
Closing the Gaps: What New Broadband and Housing Permit Data Tell Us About Community Growth
by Drew Stiehl on Aug 14, 2025 1:48:49 PM
Before joining mySidewalk, I spent years planning transportation networks and city development—systems built to move people, ideas, and economies. Whether we’re talking about roads, broadband, or housing, one thing holds true: when systems don’t reach everyone, opportunity doesn’t eit …
Unlocking the Power of Nonprofit Data: mySidewalk Includes IRS 990 Data
by Drew Stiehl on Jul 11, 2025 3:32:13 PM
" mySidewalk's New IRS 990 Dataset Empowers Local Communities to Elevate Their Impact " Each year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) releases tax returns from nonprofit organizations—specifically Forms 990, 990-EZ, and 990-PF. These returns offer a wealth of information about nonprof …
Making Resilient Communities: A Closer Look at Health, Equity & Infrastructure
by Kaitlyn Foster on Apr 21, 2025 8:46:59 AM
Public health is at an inflection point.
CHR&R in Flux: Our Commitment to Public Health Data
by Kaitlyn Foster on Apr 9, 2025 8:40:40 AM
We’re all in this together. At County Health Rankings & Roadmap’s March 11 webinar, over a thousand folks invested in population health across the country learned the 2025 release is likely their last, and the organization will lose their primary funding by the end of next year. R …
Sidewalk Session Snapshot: A Gathering Place for Data-Driven Changemakers
by the mySidewalk Team on Apr 2, 2025 4:17:05 PM
Every changemaker knows the challenge of working in isolation—of trying to move the needle on urgent issues with too few resources, too little time, and not nearly enough connection. That’s why Sidewalk Sessions aren’t just another feature of a mySidewalk subscription. They’re a corne …
How to Use Data for Impact: 3 Key Lessons from Community Action Agency Leaders
by Char Whitney on Feb 27, 2025 3:57:30 PM
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The Challenge: Too Much Data, Not Enough Time Every day, Community Action Agencies (CAAs) work to reduce poverty, advocate for funding, and improve lives. But there’s a problem:
When Uncertainty Meets Resilience: How mySidewalk is Expanding and Protecting Access to Mission-Critical Data
by Drew Stiehl on Feb 7, 2025 11:45:00 AM
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Our customers care about their communities, and so do we. Community leaders—from hardworking staff to elected officials—rely on equity data to make critical decisions on a wide range of topics. Presently, it is unclear whether this data will continue to be released, how frequently, or …
The Power of Dashboards: How Foundations Use Data for Community Impact
by Char Whitney on Jan 22, 2025 12:09:39 PM
Community Foundation Boulder County is committed to building a stronger, more equitable community. Central to that mission is data—a vital tool for understanding challenges, identifying opportunities, and guiding impactful action. For years, the foundation’s Trends report was a truste …
Bridging Data Modernization & Health: The Journey to Community Vitality
by the mySidewalk Team on Oct 14, 2024 3:19:04 PM
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As public health professionals, you rely on data to guide your decisions, but the process of collecting and analyzing that data can often feel slow and disconnected from the real-time needs of your community. Outdated systems and siloed information can make it harder to respond quickl …
Empowering Voters to Break Free from Confirmation Bias with AI
by the mySidewalk Team on Oct 2, 2024 7:00:00 AM
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In today's digital world, it’s easy for our social media feeds to be filled with content that aligns with our existing beliefs. Algorithms on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook show us what we already agree with, reinforcing our confirmation bias. It can feel impossible to …
Ding. Sidekick leveled up.
by Matt Barr on Sep 24, 2024 10:18:39 AM
The Highlights You've probably noticed some big improvements if you've been using our smart data assistant, Sidekick. Here's what’s new:
5 Reasons You Need a Sidekick
by Kaitlyn Foster on Sep 4, 2024 11:41:00 AM
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Every hero needs a sidekick—a reliable partner who’s always there to provide backup, offer guidance, and help you navigate the complexities of your mission. In the world of community data, that help is here, and it’s called Sidekick. Whether you’re crafting a story about your communit …
Healthy Diagnostics: Recapping NACCHO360
by Stephen Hardy on Aug 5, 2024 1:15:00 PM
I could not be more energized coming back from time with our health partners at NACCHO360 in Detroit.
Getting Better Results from AI: 3 Common Mistakes to Avoid
by Jennifer Funk on Jul 30, 2024 5:00:00 AM
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AI is a powerful tool for making community data easier to use, but it’s also new and imperfect. It takes a little practice — as it would with a human assistant! — to figure out how to communicate with (or prompt) Sidekick to get the results you want, and often, you have to learn from …