An image graphic that features two women raising their fists and features the article title: "Internship at IG: Learning how evaluation strengthens advocacy"
September 1, 2021 - 4:09pm

Hi—I’m Angel Velazquez Olmedo, and I’ve been an intern at The Improve Group this summer! As I wrap up my time at IG, I just wanted to share a little bit about what I’ve learned through my work. I’m particularly interested in immigration advocacy as a potential career path, and I took this chance to learn more about how evaluation can be a tool to advocate for communities.

An image graphic that features a headshot of Kia Her and the title of the article: "5 Takeaways From workshop on using a culturally responsive and racial equity lens"
September 1, 2021 - 4:00pm

Equity is a personal value of mine, and I am always looking for ways to apply it more at work. The Improve Group is also committed to equity. My colleagues and I know that this requires continued learning, application, and reflection.

A graphic image that says "6 Learnings from an equity-focused study of Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest"
April 30, 2021 - 11:52am

Hi! I’m Becky Stewart, Chief Practice Officer at The Improve Group. It was our joy to collaborate recently with Dr. Nicky Bowman (Waapalaneexkweew, Lunaape/Mohican), President and Founder of Bowman Performance Consulting, on an equity-focused assessment of Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest’s service model.

4 evaluation tips for busy people
April 29, 2021 - 3:38pm

Over the past year, many of us have been busier than ever. A lack of time is not a new barrier to evaluation, so we wanted to share some ever-helpful strategies to make evaluation realistic for clients and their stakeholders to participate. They might be helpful for anyone working to fit evaluation into busy schedules.

April 28, 2021 - 4:57pm

As a registered Public Benefit Corporation with the State of Minnesota, we report on our impact each year. Our recently filed 2020 report describes how we pursued our public benefit mission, the public benefit we saw from our clients, the factors that helped our work or got in our way, and our plans for the future.

Image of text that says "Questions on our mind about evaluation" and features several signs with questions about who does evaluation, why, when, how, and where.
February 26, 2021 - 12:38pm

I recently partook in an inspiring, thought-provoking Minnesota Evaluation Association panel called “What is evaluation?”

An image of The Improve Group's logos over the years represented on a 20-year timeline
January 5, 2021 - 10:20am
Looking back on 20 years of IG has truly been an exciting process. In reflecting on 20 years, we recognized that our work is defined by five eras. We put together a special video that defines each era and provides some context about who we were, where we've been, and what we have done during each of these eras. Take a nostalgic ride on the IG timeline!
A special graphic commemorating the Improve Group's 20th Anniversary, featuring the IG2020 logo and the words "Celebrating Connections"
January 5, 2021 - 9:08am
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...
Image of the full IG team in Zoom as the background and text in front that says "IG2020 Staff Reflections: Celebrating 20 years"
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.
An image of a quote from one a community liaison who partnered with The Improve Group on this project. The quote reads "“Our voices are not heard often, therefore having the opportunity to voice our concerns and ideas is amazing, and it should be valued,” the liaison said. “I think the best reward for the community after they are listened to is to see their recommendations implemented.”
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.

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