Three Minnesota nonprofits announced as 2025 pro bono research partners
Wilder Research recently announced three nonprofits as 2025 pro bono partners: Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County, Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, and The Somali Museum. Partners were chosen from nearly 50 organizations serving culturally specific communities across Minnesota that applied for research and evaluation services at no cost.
Sophak Mom led the application process in fall 2024: “I’m truly inspired by the innovation and deep community connections these three organizations bring to their work. We look forward to partnering with them to use evaluation and research to inform their planning, strengthen their fundraising efforts, and showcase their impact in Minnesota communities. We also want to express our deep appreciation to all the organizations that took the time to apply and share their incredible work with us."
Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County
Hispanic Outreach provides programs and services to rural Goodhue County’s Hispanic population while growing Hispanic cultural awareness. Their programs include direct services, youth and family resources, and emergency assistance, Hispanic Outreach is a trusted resource in the area, serving more than 650 people each year. The organization also hosts cultural events like the annual Hispanic Heritage Festival in Red Wing.
Hispanic Outreach’s Youth and Family Program serves Hispanic students in the Red Wing School District by providing academic support, social and emotional development and parent engagement activities. Wilder will work with Hispanic Outreach to put their existing evaluation data to use, including analyzing existing survey data, refining the program’s logic model, and using the data to tell the organization’s story to partners and funders.
Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute
Planting People Growing Justice promotes reading and diversity in books, creating new opportunities for children to succeed. The organization exists to close the literacy gap that disproportionately affects Black children. Their core program, Leaders are Readers, focuses on sharing stories with positive messages and relatable characters to empower young leaders and promote reading.
Planting People Growing Justice will work with Wilder to develop an evaluation plan that builds on their existing efforts to measure impact. Together, we’ll explore how this small but growing organization can leverage this data to measure impact, tell their story and communicate the difference they are making to a broader audience.
The Somali Museum
The Somali Museum of Minnesota is dedicated to preserving and promoting Somali arts and culture. The museum provides education and opportunities for cultural connection through exhibits, workshops, and performances that foster cultural pride among Somali Americans and bridge understanding with the broader Minnesota community.
Wilder and The Somali Museum will launch an evaluation to explore the impact of their programming on Somali Americans and non-Somalis, as well as the way their programs nurture relationships and build bridges between those groups. They plan to use what they learn to refine their current and future programming, and share their impact with supporters.
Wilder Research has provided pro bono assistance to 23 organizations over the last 10 years. This work supports culturally specific organizations’ needs by providing useful, actionable research and evaluation services at no cost.