Welcome to the Charlotte Regional Data Trust

The Charlotte Regional Data Trust (formerly the Institute for Social Capital) is a signature research initiative of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute. The Data Trust uses integrated administrative data to increase the community’s capacity for data-informed decision-making and foster university research that impacts the community and deepens understanding of complex community issues.

By linking data across agencies, sectors, and programs, the Data Trust integrated data system allows community stakeholders to understand challenges and opportunities beyond typical service silos.

The ISC was founded in 2004 by a group of community stakeholders including UNC Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the Foundation for the Carolinas, Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, and the United Way of Central Carolinas. It was incorporated in 2005 as a 501(c)3 organization and a subsidiary of the UNC Charlotte Foundation.  In 2012, the Data Trust became part of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute.

The Data Trust is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to maintaining the confidentiality of these crucial data. The Data Trust is governed by a board of community stakeholders and staffed by UNC Charlotte personnel. Through its affiliation with UNC Charlotte and the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, the Data Trust also offers analytical support to assist organizations in their research and data analysis efforts.

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