Family Humanitarian Uses GIS to Improve Transparency and Track Clean Water Impact

Organization

Family Humanitarian Global nonprofit focused on clean water access and community development

Partner

Bay Park Data Solutions

The Challenge

Family Humanitarian supports clean water projects in underserved communities, working directly with partners in the field to assess needs, track installations, and monitor outcomes over time. Early on, much of this information was collected using paper forms, spreadsheets, and photos stored across multiple systems.

As programs expanded, the organization faced several challenges:

• Inconsistent field data collection across locations

• Limited visibility into where projects were located and how they were progressing

• Difficulty sharing verified impact with donors and supporters

• A need for greater transparency and accountability around clean water outcomes

Family Humanitarian wanted a better way to collect reliable field data, connect it to place, and share results publicly.

The GIS Solution

Over the past three years, Family Humanitarian partnered with Bay Park Data Solutions to build a GIS-based field data collection and transparency platform using Esri technology.

The solution centered on:

• Mobile data collection in the field

• Spatially verified project tracking

• A public-facing map that allows supporters to see clean water impact geographically

By grounding every data point in location, GIS became the foundation for how Family Humanitarian documents and communicates its work.

Technology Used

• ArcGIS Field Maps — to collect location-based project data directly in the field

• ArcGIS Survey123 — to capture standardized survey information, photos, and observations

• ArcGIS Online — to manage and store authoritative project data

• Web maps & public dashboards — to support transparency and donor engagement

Field teams can collect data using mobile devices, even in challenging environments, while submissions are automatically georeferenced and synced for analysis and sharing.

Results & Impact

With GIS now integrated into daily operations, Family Humanitarian can:

• Track clean water projects accurately and consistently over time

• Visualize project locations and status on interactive maps

• Improve transparency through a public map embedded on their website

• Provide donors and partners with clear, place-based proof of impact

• Reduce manual data handling and improve data quality

The public-facing map has become a powerful communication tool, allowing anyone to explore where projects are located and how clean water investments are making a difference.

Why It Matters

For Family Humanitarian, GIS is more than a mapping tool—it’s a platform for trust and accountability. By collecting data directly in the field and sharing it openly, the organization strengthens relationships with donors, partners, and the communities it serves.

After three years of collaboration, GIS is now a core operational system that supports better decision-making, long-term monitoring, and transparent storytelling around clean water access.

A word from the Executive Director of Family Humanitarian

At Family Humanitarian, we are always looking for ways to advance the quality and excellence of our clean water program so that we can change as many lives as possible.

Two of the most critical areas that we can focus on to help us reach the level of excellence we strive for are internal tracking and accountability and donor transparency.  GIS helps us improve both areas.  With our digital project surveys and management dashboards, I know at a quick glance where every project stands across different countries and our in-country teams can easily track their work flows and the projects that need attention. 

With the ability that GIS provides to have each project flow through to a map on our website, donors can easily see projects they themselves have sponsored as well as each project we have completed along with pictures and GPS coordinates. 

Our GIS set-up also allows us to quickly and easily notify each donor of project completion, sharing pictures and video with them, and allows us to update them for years to come as project inspections are completed.  Connecting our donors intimately to each project has set a new standard for charitable giving and GIS has made the process so much easier! - Michaela Shirley | Executive Director

Looking Ahead

Family Humanitarian plans to continue expanding its use of GIS to:

• Track additional indicators over time

• Enhance public-facing dashboards and reporting

• Support future clean water initiatives with reliable, spatial data

With GIS in place, the Family Humanitarian is well-positioned to scale its impact while maintaining clarity, accuracy, and trust.

GIS for Good Takeaway

By using mobile GIS tools and public maps, Family Humanitarian is turning field data into transparent, location-based insight—ensuring clean water impact is visible, verifiable, and shared with the world.