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 NEWS RELEASE Amherst H. Wilder Foundation CONTACT: New initiative measures quality of life in communities around Minnesota; Is central, go-to source of data, strategies, and resources to take action. Saint Paul – Minnesota is changing dramatically – our residents are aging, communities are becoming more diverse, local economies are evolving. These trends will have a major impact on everyone who lives here in the coming years. A new initiative – Minnesota Compass – helps communities across Minnesota assess and improve their quality of life. Compass is a non-partisan initiative which measures progress for Minnesota’s counties, regions, and the state as a whole. The project encourages action from all sectors – government, business, nonprofit community organizations, and concerned individuals – to get involved in coordinated efforts to address needs. Minnesota Compass makes available a host of data and other resources at a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate, one-stop web site. It provides data, offers commentary and insight from nonpartisan experts, and points to a variety of initiatives for local communities to try. Included are some strategies that are based on research evidence of what works and what does not. Matt Rezac, senior program officer - public policy and engagement at the Blandin Foundation, a project funder, is excited to see communities have this new hub of information. “In working to improve our community, we must be informed by the best information available, but the specific ways of applying that information need to be of our own making. Community context matters, and no one knows it better than community members.” Broad-based demand across the state Led by Wilder Research, the initiative builds on the prior success of Twin Cities Compass, a similar project for the 7-county metro region. Nine foundations support Minnesota Compass, including Blandin Foundation, Bush Foundation, Initiative Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, Northland Foundation, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, “Minnesota Compass provides us with reliable and informative data to understand the future workforce and economic development needs of the state,” says Mary Rothchild, director of strategic partnerships, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Rothchild also participates on the Minnesota Compass steering committee. Minnesota Compass has information and ideas for action that communities can use on the issues of aging, civic engagement, early childhood, economy and workforce, education, environment, health, housing, public safety, and transportation. It includes information for cities, counties, regions and the state as a whole. Creating solutions community by community Paul Mattessich, executive director of Wilder Research is excited to see Compass expand to include the entire state. Mattessich traveled Minnesota last summer and fall, participating in over a dozen meetings with several hundred people, to learn about community needs. While specific interests and concerns may vary from region to region, he says, one common theme emerged. “Great Wilder Research (www.wilderresearch.org) is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit research and evaluation groups dedicated to practical research to improve the community’s understanding of major social issues and identify effective ways to strengthen individuals, families and communities. It is part of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation in Saint Paul. ### | |||||||||||||||||||||
Helping parents have a voice at the places where school policy and funding decisions are made. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
