Data Republic has established an independent not-for-profit, The Minerva Collective, to use data for social good.

The Minerva Collective, an independent not-for-profit aimed at connecting social impact organisations with access to data and analysts to help them solve social problems, has launched in Australia with support from Data Republic.

Initially a project conceived by Data Republic to offer the use of its secure data exchange technology to NFPs on a pro-bono basis, the launch of Minerva offers a new way for corporates, and their employees, to support social impact organisations through joint data initiatives.

On the establishment of Minerva, Paul McCarney, co-founder and CEO of Data Republic said, “Data is the currency for growth in today’s society, we don’t want to see not-for-profits left behind.”

“We’re backing Minerva to facilitate, and incentivise, the supply of the right data and skilled people for powerful social impact projects, in a way that protects data security and privacy compliance,” said McCarney.

“It’s not every day that you see a start-up establishing a charity but from the beginning it’s been our guiding belief that better use of data can change the world, not just for corporates but for society as a whole.”

Rob Koczkar, CEO of Social Ventures Australia said that data and access to data talent can be the missing link to improving efficiency and the sustainable impact of social services.

“Especially given the sector’s move towards managing to outcomes, we are very excited about The Minerva Collective’s capacity to enable social purpose organisations to utilise previously inaccessible data and provide specialist experts to help analyse that information,” said Koczkar.

Jono Nicholas, CEO of ReachOut said, “Suicide is the leading cause of death for males and females between the ages of 15 and 44 in Australia. We’re working with The Minerva Collective to develop a method to use data to optimise direction of our self-help tools to those experiencing a tough time so we can reach more young Australians, earlier in their symptom development, and ultimately, save lives.”