Visual Storytelling with Maps
Enhance the narrative of your data and your work in a simple, intuitive format.
June, Jen, Diana, and Emily at Esri's booth.
June, Jen, Diana, and Emily here from Esri –
Thanks for meeting with us at the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference!!
We loved hearing about the important work that you do every day to build healthy and thriving communities, and a greener, safer, and more inclusive world!
Visual Language Everyone Can Understand
Everything happens somewhere – and maps are a visual way to shine a light on hidden or complex patterns and relationships, and bring your story to life with simple and intuitive language everyone can understand.
In this Story Map, we’ll look at:
- Simple Maps - Quickly access demographic information in the form of a shareable map.
- Story Maps - Combine multi-media into a web-based story map to tell a rich, moving story.
- Explore Resources - Check out resources that nonprofits are using to get their communities excited and engaged.
A classic story map on the United States Workforce: a look at industry, unemployment, and labor force participation.
Simple Maps
A great way to get started with simple maps is with Esri Maps for Public Policy - a free tool that provides you with demographic, environmental, education, health, and other data by location across the entire U.S.
This data can help you answer questions in your community such as: How is transit helping my community with access to jobs? How are youth connected to school and work? Which communities have adequate access to green spaces?
Policy maps clearly show where there are opportunities to intervene.
Information is arranged by issues such as Population, Housing, and Education.
You can also search curated content based on characteristics of Social Equity and Health, Economic Opportunity, Public Safety, and more.
Here are just a few examples of maps you'll find in Esri Maps for Public Policy:
Where is more access to parks needed?
This interactive map from Trust for Public Land shows where there is adequate access to public parks, and where there is greater need. This map opens in San Diego, but has national coverage. For example, we can see Dallas here to the right. Interact with the map to search for your community, and click on an area to learn about that community's access to parks.
Where are disconnected youth?
This map shows where youth are disconnected (16 to 19 year olds who are not in school and not in the labor force). Dark colors and bigger circles indicate greater disconnection. This map opens in San Diego, but has national coverage. Pan around the map to your city to see the relevant data in your community, and click on a symbol to learn more about youth there.
Who has access to supermarkets?
This map shows poverty levels and super market proximity. The map opens in Detroit, but has national coverage. For example, we can explore patterns in Boston, shown to the right. Dark red dots show people in poverty with low proximity. Green dots show people in poverty with high proximity. Interact with the map to explore your area.
It's even possible to modify existing web maps, or build your own! Once you're done building a custom map, you can share your map on social media, embed it in a website, use it in an app or a story map, or simply email a link.
Story Maps
Esri’s story maps help you tell a rich, compelling story with multiple media – including maps (interactive or static), video, imagery, and more.
Share story maps with donors, volunteers, policy makers, and the public to get people excited about your mission, demonstrate your impact, and convey critical information.
Explore these examples:
Reconnecting Milwaukee: A BikeAble Study of Opportunity, Equity and Connectivity
Resources
ArcGIS StoryMaps: Storytelling that Resonates
Resources if you're new to mapping and GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
- Esri Maps for Public Policy contains curated content, training, best practices, and datasets that can provide a baseline for your research, analysis, and policy recommendations.
Esri's Nonprofit Program offers discounted software to nonprofits. Access data, technology, and resources to advance your mission.
Resources if you're already familiar with mapping and GIS:
The Living Atlas of the World is the foremost collection of geographic information from around the globe. It includes maps, apps, and data layers to support your work.
