Using Data to Address Quality of Life

Using local data to improve the quality of life in communities was the focus of a recent international conference where CGR presented on our community indicators projects.

CGR President and CEO Erika Rosenberg presented alongside two community foundation leaders at the annual International Quality of Life Studies conference in August in Lexington, KY. CGR’s community indicators are online data hubs that aggregate and analyze a wide variety of data on community well-being to inform improvement and prioritization efforts. Funders and leaders have been using CGR community indicators for nearly 20 years to collaboratively identify and address pressing quality of life issues.

One example is the Westchester Index, where the New York Community Trust-Westchester worked with New York University graduate students to analyze local court data to examine Raise the Age, which increased the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18. Program Director Lauren Perkins presented on the project as part of the ISQOLS panel.

The Index is hosting a virtual information session about the latest version of the Index and its updated data this Tuesday (9/15) at 1pm.

Also presenting at the conference was Frank Ridzi, Vice President of Community Investment Central New York Community Foundation, on CNY Vitals.

September 14, 2026 CGR Briefs Edition