# Omidyar Network invests $2 million in DataKind

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/10/14/omidyar-network-invests-2m-datakind/
- Published: 2016-10-14T11:20:13+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**DataKind, the network of data scientists that volunteer for charities and social
good organisations, has received $2m from philanthropic investment firm Omidyar 
Network to support its growth over the next three years. **

Omidyar Network has for some time been supporting DataKind and its worldwide [network of chapters](http://www.datakind.org/chapters),
including one set up in 2013 [in the UK](https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/04/26/datakind-launches-uk-arm-support-charities039-use-data/).
Last year it participated in the organisation’s Global Chapter Summit. The network
was set up by Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay, and invests in entrepreneurs who 
are committed to advancing social good at pace and scale.

Its funding will not only support DataKind’s growth but also enable the organisation
to support other organisations that are supported in Omidyar Network. DataKind will
be able to test using predictive analytics to see how data might help predict and
identify issues of financial transparency and fiscal governance.

## Advertisement

Stacy Donohue, investment partner at [Omidyar Network](https://www.omidyar.com/),
said:

> “DataKind has been a pioneer in the emerging field of data science for good by
> mobilising data scientists via a tiered engagement model and global chapters in
> five countries. From weekend-long DataDives to short-term DataCorps projects to
> in-house projects with DataKind Labs, DataKind’s volunteers and staff are poised
> to create substantial impact on issues facing governments and nonprofits globally.”

> Humbled and honored to receive $2M investment from [@OmidyarNetwork](https://twitter.com/OmidyarNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> to fuel our growth over next 3 years [https://t.co/TaA32M9A3t](https://t.co/TaA32M9A3t)
> [#data4good](https://twitter.com/hashtag/data4good?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [pic.twitter.com/wCvJ88jMd7](https://t.co/wCvJ88jMd7)
> — DataKind (@DataKind) [October 13, 2016](https://twitter.com/DataKind/status/786643740614066177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Jake Porway, founder and executive director of [DataKind](http://www.datakind.org),
thanked Omidyar Network for its ongoing support, noting that “Growth capital is 
not readily available in the nonprofit sector”.

He added:

> “As an organisation that shares our belief in the power of networks to create 
> impact through learning and iteration, Omidyar Network’s support is a game changer
> as they are providing both the needed financial investment and connections to 
> some of the world’s top social innovators to help us scale our efforts like never
> before.”

> Humbled to be on [@linkedin](https://twitter.com/LinkedIn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)’
> s top 10 social impact professionals, but all credit goes to our amazing [@DataKind](https://twitter.com/DataKind?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> team [https://t.co/qHd9oLgTAA](https://t.co/qHd9oLgTAA)
> — Jake Porway (@jakeporway) [October 11, 2016](https://twitter.com/jakeporway/status/785870551281786880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)