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.
April 30, 2021 - 11:52am
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.
February 26, 2021 - 12:38pm
I recently partook in an inspiring, thought-provoking Minnesota Evaluation Association panel called “What is evaluation?”
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!
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...
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.