2020 has been a year unlike any other. While a global pandemic caused us to adapt and transform our 20th anniversary plans, we became even more committed to celebrating connections with you. Thanks to each and every one of you for helping to make this a truly special celebration...
December 22, 2020 - 10:43am
By now so many of you have shared stories, memories, and celebrations for our 20th anniversary. We wanted to round out the year by hearing from the people who have always made IG what it is: our powerhouse staff. We asked our team members to reflect on IG's past, present, and future. We gathered responses through virtual video interviews and in writing.
October 30, 2020 - 2:53pm
Earlier this year, we engaged individuals and families experiencing poverty in Hennepin County about the strengths and needs of their communities—a project that would not have been possible without community liaisons who brought key community connections and knowledge. Centering community members as experts is an important part of The Improve Group’s Community Responsive Approach to projects like the 2020 Community Strengths and Needs Assessment we conducted with the Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County (CAP-HC). For this project, the liaisons were instrumental in achieving high workshop participation rates and engaging a diverse cross-section of the community: they helped tailor outreach materials, design community engagement workshops, and facilitate workshops that created space for honest and open input.
October 13, 2020 - 9:39am
The Improve Group will be closed for part of Tuesday, November 3 and Wednesday, November 4.
2020 has brought unexpected challenges and opportunities. As such, this year’s U.S. election process and outcome feel particularly weighty. To recognize the demand they are placing on each of us, The Improve Group will be closed from 2pm Tuesday, November 3 (Election Day) and reopening at 11am on November 4 (day after election day). Thank you for your patience with us!
October 6, 2020 - 8:45am
We shared the first Olmstead Quality of Life Survey brief with you last month—these are short reports to prepare people to understand and use findings of the second follow-up study, which we’re currently implementing. This month, we’re excited to share the second brief, which explains the survey’s focus on decision-making.
August 25, 2020 - 10:37am
Can you think of how many times you get out of the house, engage with your community, and see friends? This is an important indicator of quality of life and one that has changed for all of us amid COVID-19. This is also one of the topics we ask Minnesotans with disabilities about for the State of Minnesota’s Olmstead Quality of Life Survey. The survey measures progress toward the state’s Olmstead Plan goal of ensuring people with disabilities are living, learning, working, and enjoying life in the most integrated setting.
July 31, 2020 - 12:50pm
As we began seeing COVID-19 have more and more of an impact locally, we also began hearing from clients about its impacts to their work. I want to share a story about a partnership with a local nonprofit to use data to inform their COVID-19 community response.
Hello!
June 29, 2020 - 7:05pm
Problem
As the world continues to confront the uncertainties and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, many governmental agencies, foundations, nonprofits, and businesses have shifted their energy and resources to rapid response efforts to the urgent and unexpected needs that have arisen in recent months.
May 29, 2020 - 3:27pm
Here’s a situation you may be in right now: You, your colleagues, and stakeholders spent a lot of time and energy developing a thoughtful, forward-thinking strategic plan to guide your organization as it grows and evolves in the future.