New website to help Minnesota communities measure progress, trends

A new web resource is up and running to help Minnesota communities measure trends and progress with the most current, credible data available.

Minnesota Compass, a new nonprofit website funded by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation and eight other foundations, builds on the success of Twin Cities Compass, a similar project for the 7-county metro region. It provides unbiased, credible information; tracks trends and measures progress on issues that affect our quality of life, in such topics as economy, health, housing, and a dozen others. Minnesota Compass points to additional resources and strategies for action.

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.

Northwest Minnesota Foundation became a partner in the project because of the value it offers communities and public bodies. According to NMF President Nancy Vyskocil, it is an important tool for planners and local government to learn about. She said, “This resource, once people know how to use and understand it, can provide current data for counties, cities, school districts and others for planning purposes, identifying needs, and establishing program priorities.”

Minnesota Compass makes available a host of data and other resources in a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate, one-stop shop. 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.

Led by Wilder Research, Minnesota Compass is funded by nine foundations including NMF: The Blandin Foundation, Bush Foundation, Initiative Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, Northland Foundation, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Southwest Initiative Foundation, and West Central Initiative. Funding for development of the database was provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation.

Paul Mattessich, executive director of Wilder Research, traveled the state to learn about community needs. While specific interests and concerns may vary from region to region, he says, one common theme emerged. “Great energy and enthusiasm exists for building on the capacities and strengths of our communities,” Mattessich says. “And with this learning, Minnesota Compass aims to provide the tools to set a direction, innovate, and measure progress. That's very exciting.”

Wilder Research, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit research and evaluation groups, is dedicated to practical research to improve people’s lives. It is part of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation in Saint Paul.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is a public community foundation serving Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau Counties. NMF invests resources, creates opportunities and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.