The quiet power of good data policy is that it rarely makes headlines, but it lets people ask better questions and get better answers. When government makes high-quality data digitally accessible, that data can power the economy, protect public health, drive scientific discovery, and help the public hold government accountable.

In 2019, the federal government released its first Federal Data Strategy. It set direction for how agencies manage and use data. But data doesn't stop at the federal level and the world looks very different today. Generative artificial intelligence has made public data both more valuable and more sensitive. States and localities are building their own data capacity and stepping into leadership. Private and philanthropic investment is flowing into projects that blend public and private data. And public expectations about privacy keep evolving as more data becomes available and is combined across sectors.

That’s why the Data Foundation launched a community-led effort to build a national data strategy that helps to define a shared vision for America’s data future.

We are not writing a new federal data strategy. Instead, the National Data Strategy is intended as a living document. We want your feedback, your ideas, and your critique. We don't expect to settle every question where communities and disciplines see data differently. Our goal is to make sure everyone who wants a seat at the table has one, and that the people most affected by these choices are represented.

We are reaching out broadly and deliberately so that every layer of our society can help shape what comes next. That means asking how data should work for everyone and offering clear stewardship, shared commitment, measured progress, sustained investment, and a plan for the future. It’s time to treat data as the critical national asset it is. America's competitiveness depends on it.

Get Involved

A national strategy needs input from across the data ecosystem. There are several ways to participate:

• Comment on the discussion draft when it opens for public comment. Sign up for updates to be notified.
• Join the Data Coalition to take part in structured comment sessions and help shape the strategy as it develops.
• Partner with the Data Foundation to support subsequent phases of the initiative.
• Share this page with colleagues and networks who rely on public data.

For questions or partnership inquiries, contact Taka Ariga, Vice President for Data Policy and Impact, at [email protected].