Twin Cities organizations named 2024 pro bono research partners

Hopewell Music Cooperative North and Irreducible Grace Foundation have been selected to receive pro bono research and evaluation assistance from Wilder Research in 2024. The organizations were chosen from 28 culturally specific nonprofit organizations that applied to receive research and evaluation services at no cost. 

Hopewell Music Cooperative North’s mission is to improve access to music education in North Minneapolis through affordable, inclusive, and engaging music programs. The organization has provided programming for people of all ages since 2012 with a focus on the Webber-Camden neighborhood. 

In the coming months, Hopewell and Wilder Research will review and update Hopewell's evaluation processes and tools with the goal of capturing data most useful for telling Hopewell’s story. We will also create a logic model to guide program planning and evaluation and to communicate impact to funders and other key audiences. 

Irreducible Grace Foundation‘s mission is to create a nurturing and inclusive space where youth can heal from trauma, develop life skills, and become agents of positive change in their communities. Located in St. Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood, the organization is dedicated to empowering and uplifting youth of color, particularly Black youth. Central to this work is actively engaging youth in program co-leadership.

Wilder will work with Irreducible Grace Foundation to develop a culturally relevant evaluation framework that measures the effectiveness of their work and captures the voices and stories of the youth they serve.

Research Associate Julia Miller, who led the application process, said, “We’re excited to partner with these organizations that play such a vital role in our community. We look forward to supporting them in research and evaluation efforts that guide their work and help them tell the story of their impact.”

Wilder Research has provided pro bono assistance to 20 organizations over the last nine years. This work supports culturally specific organizations’ needs by providing useful, actionable research and evaluation services at no cost.