PDC Data Categories Overview

The Philanthropy Data Commons handles data from a variety of different source systems and remains flexible in handling different types of data regardless of source naming differences. One key aspect to the handling of data is to attribute a data category to the fields we use to store, display, share, and send data across the sector.

How PDC data contributors might name or label data elements on their systems is important. But, rather than PDC attempting to mandate rules or standards on naming, we can bridge various standards through our ERD model in addition to the understanding of how the source data can be mapped into categories.

The tables below show the current PDC data categories we attribute and track to Base Fields throughout the platform.

Organizational Data
Sub-CategoryDescriptionSharing OptionsExamples
General InformationData that is publicly available about the organization associated with the proposal recordDefault: RequiredMission and Vision Statements, organization history, government ID, general contact info, General Leadership, General Board data
Limited AccessData associated to the organization that is not publicly accessibleOptional to share all identified in this category per proposal or specific elementsOrg demographic information, additional location data, Internal staff specifics, organization budget information.

Project or Initiative Data
Sub-CategoryDescriptionSharing OptionsExamples
General InformationData associated with the specific project(s) or initiative(s) referenced in the proposalDefault: Shared
Recommended, but Optional		Title or summary of project, general description, high-level goals, etc.
Limited AccessData associated with the specific project(s) or initiative(s) referenced in proposalsOptional to share all identified in this category per proposal or specific elementsSpecific project details, specific goals, target audiences or beneficiaries, Specific contact information

Needs Assessment Data
Sub-CategoryDescriptionSharing OptionsExamples
General InformationData associated with the proposals supporting summary or general justifications or rationale of the workDefault: Shared
Recommended, but Optional		Problem statement, context, general stats, external public references
Limited AccessData associated with the proposals that might be more sensitive in natureOptional to share all identified in this category per proposal or specific elementsSpecific demographics, community information, audience context

Methodology & Approach Data
Sub-CategoryDescriptionSharing OptionsExamples
General InformationData associated with the proposals that provides summary on tactics or approachDefault: Shared
Recommended, but Optional		Summary of action, timeline, external references to public assets
Limited AccessData associated with proposals that has details on methodology, tactics, tools, or other specificsOptional to share all identified in this category per proposal or specific elementsPlan of actions detail, Specific innovations, and specific techniques or handling, team details, activities, strategies

Budget Data
Sub-CategoryDescriptionSharing OptionsExamples
General InformationData associated with proposals with summary budget information or major amountsDefault: Shared
Recommended, but Optional		Top-level amounts, budget timeframe, key amounts for summary view
Limited AccessData associated with proposals that provides deeper details on budget categories, breakdowns, scenarios, or other details of interestOptional to share all identified in this category per proposal or specific elementsSecond and third level budget details, specific programmatic details on cost, staff costs, budget metrics

Evaluation Data
Sub-CategoryDescriptionSharing OptionsExamples
General InformationData associated with proposals that states general approach on evaluation and learning approaches or handlingOptional to share all identified in this category per proposal or specific elementsSummary or highlights of evaluation methods, declaration of any commonly understood methodologies.
Limited AccessData associated with proposals that details learning and evaluation information and specificsOptional to share all identified in this category per proposal or specific elementsSpecifics around formulas, subjects, metrics, timeframes, goals, findings, challenges

Sustainability Data
Sub-CategoryDescriptionSharing OptionsExamples
General InformationData associated with proposals with a summary or general statements on sustainabilityOptional to share all identified in this category per proposal or specific elementsSummary on any sustainability broad strokes, references to any know models or methods used
Limited AccessData associated with proposals that details sustainability models, categories, planning and or other detailsOptional to share all identified in this category per proposal or specific elementsPossible details of formulas and considerations, specifics around existing revenue, donors, challenges, plans

Partnerships & Collaborations Data
Sub-CategoryDescriptionSharing OptionsExamples
General InformationData associated with proposals that states other organizations or collaborators are involvedDefault: Shared
Recommended, but Optional		List of key partners, references or links to other related organizations or initiatives
Limited AccessData associated with proposals that provide details or elements around and beyond the basic statements of involvementOptional to share all identified in this category per proposal or specific elementsDetails on related partnerships, types of relationships, durations of relationships, commitment budgets, key staff to the collaborations

Impact & Outcomes Data
Sub-CategoryDescriptionSharing OptionsExamples
General InformationData associated with proposals that addresses outcomes and impact framingOptional to share all identified in this category per proposal or specific elementsSummary of key impacts and outcomes, references to methods to be used, summary of possible results
Limited AccessData associated with proposals that might expand and add details to outcomes and impact framingOptional to share all identified in this category per proposal or specific elementsDetails of impact and outcome goals, challenges, outlier issues, challenges, discovery specifics

Technical Data
Sub-CategoryDescriptionSharing OptionsExamples
Limited AccessData associated with the proposals that relates to the data and systems handlingOptional to share all identified in this category per proposal or specific elementsAny fields or data elements that are used to mark systems checks or technical aspects of the handling or tracking of the proposals between systems

Uncategorized Data
Sub-CategoryDescriptionSharing OptionsExamples
Limited AccessData associated with the proposals PDC was unable to initially associate or triage with a known data category.Default: NOT SHARED
Optional to share would be on the organization staff to enable		Data elements that cannot be determined through previous learning or triage so it will default to “other”, file attachments, file links that are not able to be associated to data categories

Last Updated: March 18, 2026