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Overview

Your organization is expanding into a new city. Atlas helps you understand who’s already working there, what issues are covered, and where the gaps are — so you can build relationships instead of duplicating effort.

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The scenario

Your advocacy group is starting work in Boise, Idaho. You need to:
  • Find who’s already organizing on your issues
  • Identify potential partners and allies
  • Understand what civic infrastructure exists
  • Spot gaps where your organization can add value

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How to use Atlas

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Scope the landscape

Start by exploring what Atlas knows about Boise:
The coverage endpoint shows entity counts by issue area and highlights where Atlas has limited data. This gives you an instant read on which issues have active organizations and which are underserved.

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Find potential partners

Search for entities working on your issues:
You (to Claude): Who’s working on housing and labor issues in Boise, Idaho? Claude: I found 12 entities. Key organizations include: Jesse Tree (eviction prevention), Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Boise Bicycle Project (community mobility)… You: Which of these have websites or contact information? Claude: 8 of the 12 have public contact surfaces. Here are the ones with websites and organizational emails…

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Identify gaps

Atlas reports what’s missing, which is often the most valuable insight for an organizer:
You: What issue areas have zero or low coverage in Boise? Claude: Low coverage areas: worker cooperatives (0 entities), environmental justice (1 entity), broadband access (0 entities). These may represent gaps in Atlas’s data or genuine organizational gaps in the city.

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Build outreach lists

Export your research to work with offline:
  • Use the CSV/JSON export (Pro plan) to create contact lists
  • Save entities to shortlists for follow-up
  • Add notes about context, introductions, or meeting plans

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Tips for organizers

  • Check source dates. An organization last mentioned in 2023 may have changed leadership, focus, or folded entirely. Use the sources to find the most recent coverage.
  • Cross-reference issue areas. Community groups often work across issues. Search by location first, then filter by issue — you might find allies in adjacent areas.
  • Use gap analysis as intelligence. “Zero leads for X in this city” isn’t just a data gap — it might be an opportunity.

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Discount for nonprofits

Grassroots nonprofits get 40% off Atlas Pro after verification. Apply at atlas.rebuildingus.org/request-discount.

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What’s next

Browse Atlas

Start exploring a city right now.

Connect an AI assistant

Research conversationally through Claude or Copilot.

Issue areas & domains

See all 47 issue areas Atlas tracks.

Plans & pricing

Team plans start at $25/month for shared workspaces.