Community Partnership Portal: A Geospatial Decision-Support System for St. Theresa Catholic School

Abstract

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are often associated with large organizations. However, they are equally vital for community-based entities. These systems enable the visualization of disparate databases and improve resource assignments. Currently, St. Theresa Catholic School faces a significant challenge: the lack of a centralized, strategic approach to managing and leveraging community assets. Instead, the school operates using abstract lists and fragmented data sources. This impedes its ability to systematically identify, connect with, and engage potential partners for institutional development. There is no efficient mechanism for translating available community resources into actionable opportunities. As a result, the school experiences administrative inefficiencies and unrealized partnership potential. This project addresses the problem by employing a systematic, multi-stage methodology. ArcGIS Business Analyst is used to query targeted NAICS codes within a 10-mile radius of Sugar Land, Texas. ArcGIS Hub and Survey123 are integrated to construct a referral engine that aligns school needs with the capabilities of local nonprofits and corporations. The approach involves building a verified geospatial database of at least 50 viable partners. The project also develops a fully centralized Partnership Portal that automates spatial data mining and eliminates manual web scraping. By shifting from a deficit-based model to a strengths-based perspective, this case study offers educational leaders a replicable framework. The primary objective is to reduce bureaucratic obstacles and promote planned growth. The tool aims to break down traditional barriers between the campus and local corporate and nonprofit sectors. It fosters a unified network of shared community value. A successful portal can serve as a model for other parochial and independent schools. These schools could maximize their local impact.