Minnesota Compass

August is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month! As students prepare for the upcoming school year, you can help make sure they have the fuel they need to learn and grow.

Support students in Wilder programs through their Snack Pack Drive, July 15th-August 31st. Whether you assemble 10 or 100 snack packs, your donation provides students with healthy, nutritious options for a light meal at home or school.

Get all the details and sign up to help: https://www.wilder.org/get-involved/donate/tools-school-success-drive/

July 26th marks Disability (ADA) Awareness Day, commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.

While the ADA laid the legal groundwork for equity, building truly accessible communities requires ongoing action — and the right data. About 12% of the state’s population has at least one disability, but this varies across age groups. Twenty-nine percent of older adults (65+) have a disability, compared to 9% of working-age adults (18-64) and 5% of school-aged children (5-17).

Take a look at our demographic profile of Minnesotans with disabilities to learn more: https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/few-things-know-about-minnesotans-disabilities

The July edition of the Minnesota Compass newsletter is hitting inboxes, and this month, we are focusing on conversations that impact all of our communities.

An update on Minnesota’s leaders and their pathways into leadership: An analysis of the pathways to institutional leadership across our state’s business, nonprofit, and public sectors—and the pipelines we need to build for the future.

A few things to know about Minnesotans with disabilities: A look at the demographic data that local organizations, employers, and policymakers rely on to eliminate barriers and fund inclusive programming.

Read the July newsletter and subscribe to future ones here: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/July-2026-Compass-News.html?soid=1103000147088&aid=6y_dvL00wac

Our latest Compass Quiz is officially live, and this month we are focusing on women leaders in our state.

Put your knowledge to the test and find out how well you know the numbers: https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/quizzes/compass-quiz-women-leaders-minnesota

Our new July Insights Article breaks down how different sectors—from local businesses to government and nonprofits—develop their leaders. When we understand these pathways, we can work together to make them more accessible, supportive, and representative of everyone who calls our state home.

Be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay up to date on all things Minnesota data! https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/update-minnesotas-leaders-and-their-pathways-leadership

Big congratulations to our very own Minnesota Compass Project Director, Allison Liuzzi, on accepting the position of co-chair for the Minnesotans for the American Community Survey (MACS) data committee!

MACS works to protect, improve, and promote Census and American Community Survey data. These data are critical in allocating over $34 billion in annual federal funding to Minnesota for healthcare, transportation, and economic development. Without these data, our state institutions, nonprofits, and businesses would lack reliable information about our residents and communities.

Learn more about the critical work MACS does: https://macscensus.org/

We know that building an inclusive workplace matters but which strategies actually drive long-term impact?

To find out, Wilder Research reviewed the research on what works (and what doesn't) when advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. We’ve compiled those findings into our Leadership Toolkit, an actionable resource designed to help Minnesota employers implement proven DEI practices in hiring, staff programming, and workplace culture.

Explore our leadership toolkit here: https://www.mncompass.org/leadership-toolkit

Did you know 60% of Minnesotans talk to friends, family and neighbors daily?

Celebrate Social Wellness Month by nurturing your social relationships: Volunteer with a group, call an out-of-state friend, or join a hiking club!

Learn more about how Minnesotans stay connected on our website: https://www.mncompass.org/data-insights/articles/increasing-social-connectedness-lets-make-difference

Minnesota Compass and The Bush Foundation teamed up to provide a holistic picture of institutional leadership in our state, tracking how our institutions are developing the talent Minnesota needs for the future. Building a comprehensive tool like this requires incredible partnership and expertise.

Thank you to the Bush Foundation for their support of this directory and to all members of the advisory committee that guided its development.

Learn more about the project's background: https://www.mncompass.org/who-leads-mn