Overview of GIS for Non-Profits

Once confined to highly-trained experts using sophisticated (and expensive) tools, spatial analysis and mapmaking have increasingly become democratized (and cheaper). With the proliferation of open data, particularly data rich with spatial information, it's now more essential than ever that data users understand how to leverage GIS tools for timely and accurate analysis of important information. Join us for a workshop introducing the basics of mapping using open data and open-source tools, focused on use-cases for non-profit organizations. At the end of our 2-hour session, you'll have downloaded and visualized data for and about your community, beginning your journey to telling true and compelling stories with spatial data.

Prerequisites

• QGIS (Free open source software - download at https://qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html). Additional instruction will be provided to registrants.

• PC or MAC Laptop (participants must provide their own device).

• Be comfortable managing information on your computer and performing tasks such as opening and closing applications, navigating basic file structures, and managing files and folders.

Outline

• Introductions
• Map Exercise 1 
• Lecture/Facilitated Discussion - "What is GIS?"
• Break
• Facilitated Discussion - "What could you map?"
• Map Exercise 2
• Wrap-up and Further Resources