Hurley, Tyler2020-07-222020-07-222020https://hdl.handle.net/11299/214861This research project offers an analysis of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s “One Big Thing” grantmaking program by evaluating the long-term and tangential impacts of two organizations funded through this initiative: 1. Southeast Minnesota Together (SE MN Together): a regional collaborative network of organizations and individuals working to address Southeast Minnesota’s workforce shortage. One Big Thing funding awarded in 2015. 2. Main Street Project : a poultry-centered regenerative agriculture training center for immigrant communities interested in agribusiness entrepreneurship in Southern Minnesota. One Big Thing funding awarded in 2011. While initial project outcomes were captured in the foundation’s grant evaluation documents, these organizations continue to build partnerships and positively impact their communities to this day. In addition to project-based outcomes, this research seeks to better understand the factors that have contributed to the sustainability of these community-based organizations. To document stakeholder perspectives on these impacts and organizational sustainability, the following primary research question was used: How do community stakeholders describe their engagement with grantee organizations and define the impacts of their work and experiences? Data was collected through interviews with key stakeholders, document analysis, site visits, and Ripple Effect Mapping. Together these methods allowed for solicitation of diverse perspectives and triangulation of findings that no individual method provided alone. Additional information on research methodology is provided in the full report to give context for analysis and key findings, research limitations, and for use as a framework to inform future long-term evaluations. Key Findings 1. Ongoing positive community impacts of One Big Thing grantees extend far beyond the original scope of the projects. 2. Stakeholders described clear causal relationships between One Big Thing funding and current operations capacity. 3. Stakeholders reported that engagement with One Big Thing grantees has enhanced their motivation to personally address community challenges and strengthened their relationships within the region.enSoutheastResilient CommunitiesReport