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Continuing the Path Forward in a Strong Organization
By Jeff Mortensen, Interim President/CEO
 We have heard the questions circulating about the recent changes that have taken place at 360 Communities. At a time when our mission has never been more critical, I believe it is important to shed some light on where we have been, where we stand today and where we are headed tomorrow.
In more than 40 years of work, 360 Communities has advocated for hungry families, survivors of domestic abuse and at-risk children. We’ve maintained a strong desire to stay ahead of the curve on the issues, had the foresight to recognize emerging trends and positioned 360 Communities for the future.
In 2011, Minnesota State Economist Tom Stinson and Minnesota State Demographer Tom Gillaspy spoke about what they called “the new normal,” a term describing economic and demographic shifts on a global scale that is so significant that we will not return to where we once were as a society. Those who recognize this and adapt first will be the most successful. While change of this proportion can be unsettling, we believe it gives birth to creativity and innovation.
Over the past several years, 360 Communities made intentional investments in infrastructure, staffing and research in order to better understand and meet the challenges presented by a shifting world. These short-term investments were done with an eye toward innovating new ways to tackle society’s problems. They positioned 360 Communities well for the new normal in the nonprofit world and paid dividends in the forms of increased knowledge, new partnerships, and improvements that result in more meaningful impacts in the community.
Our strategies to engage communities are a direct result of our research and our belief that in order to achieve sustainable, large-scale community change, individuals need to increase their community consciousness, feel a sense of ownership, and connect personally in ways that align existing resources with future opportunities. Businesses, local governments, faith communities, schools, health communities and other non-profits all have a vested interest in better educated students, violence-free homes and self-sustained success.
Through research and investment, 360 Communities is bringing stakeholders together in unique ways to address the trends in our society and make a difference. This difference is measurable. A 2011 University of Minnesota Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) study found that 88% of students referred to the 360 Communities Partners For Success® program met, exceeded or made progress toward their reading goals. Nearly half of those students exceeded those goals, several by 200%!
360 Communities continues to thrive because this organization, by design, belongs to all of us: our volunteers, our supporters, our communities and our staff.
Today, 360 Communities is fiscally strong and poised to take tremendous strides going forward. We are in a new era with a fresh outlook on our challenges. We are leveraging our strengths and partnerships to grow in new and profound ways with your support. We will continue to do the important engagement work in schools, in homes and in our communities. We will also strengthen our partnerships and seek out new conversations with organizations that share our vision of changing lives and strengthening communities.
We were founded in 1970 by a group of volunteers who recognized needs in their community, pooled their resources, involved their neighbors and met those needs. This is the common thread throughout the history of 360 Communities. Today, when our services are as important to the community as ever, we are innovating and evolving to adapt to shifting trends and populations. After all, this organization has always been about the people we are here to partner with and serve.
Our doors are open. Stop by and talk with us, discover more about us and join us in shaping a strong future.
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