MCN to Launch Several New Research Reports in 2007!

Minnesota Nonprofit Organizations Serving African Immigrants, Refugees and Asylees 

Jointly conducted by the Leadership Empowerment and Development Group (LEAD) and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN), this research project is designed to provide more in-depth information about organizations which serve African immigrants, refugees and aslyees.  The information will additionally be used to continue to build the capacity and effectiveness of African-serving nonprofits. The final report, which will be presented to the community at an event in early 2007, will be useful to in telling the community about the importance of the work of these organizations and will increase the visibility of these organizations as contributors to strengthening our society and enriching the quality of life for minority communities.  Information about the release of the study will be posted as soon as it becomes available.  

Capacity Building Study of Minnesota Nonprofits

In an effort to improve the effectiveness of Minnesota ’s capacity building organizations, MCN will work with Angela Bies, Assistant Professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University , and former Executive Director of the Charities Review Council of Minnesota, to conduct a comprehensive study of Minnesota ’s capacity building organizations. 

The purpose of this study will be to listen to and learn from Minnesota ’s nonprofits regarding their experience with capacity building organizations. Through surveys, statewide focus groups, and in-depth interviews conducted during fall 2006 and spring 2007 semesters by Masters of Public Administration graduate students from Texas A&M University , MCN will be able to share critical insights on the perceived effectiveness and value of the wide range of capacity building interventions with Minnesota ’s nonprofits and capacity builders in late spring 2007.  

MCN RESEARCH

Tracking Growth

Minnesota has a vital nonprofit sector, which is experiencing rapid growth. MCN documents this growth every year in the Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report. The Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report is designed to provide an overall picture of developments in Minnesota's nonprofit sector, and to set the stage for an examination of the potential impact of block grants and budget cuts on nonprofit organizations. Included in this section is information from this report and other resources about Minnesota's nonprofit sector:

The latest version of the Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report, released at MCN's Annual Conference on October 5, 2006,  reveals Minnesota's nonprofit workforce continues to grow, exceeding 257,000 employees in 2005.  However, changes in revenue sources may present challenges for the sector in the future.  The report includes employment, wage, and financial data on the nonprofit sector at the state level, as well as regional profiles.

Surveying the Sector

MCN also conducts surveys that measures the health of the sector by tracking information about nonprofit revenues and expenditures.  In early 2004, MCN surveyed nonprofit organizations to find out what was happening to their funding sources and what the resulting impact on their programs and services would be.  An article about the survey result appeared in the April 2005 edition of Minnesota Budget Bites, the newsletter of the Minnesota Budget Project.  

Click here to go to the article, "On the Edge: Communities Lose as Nonprofits Struggle"

Other resources:

2006 Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report

Download the 2006 Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report

Click here to order a hard copy of the report