Mission: to solve critical social problems in the areas of health, education, youth development and the environment in the United States and throughout the world through education, training, social marketing, policy analysis, and innovative program design.

The academy works globally to solve critical social problems. Their major areas of focus: health, education, youth development, the environment, and leadership development. The website offers access to its publications, annual reports, discussion notes; information about its centers, institutions, departments, and projects; and links and resources.

Mission: to foster public policies, human service reforms, and community supports, which more effectively meet the needs of today's vulnerable children and families.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation works with neighborhoods and state and local governments. The Foundation provides grants to public and nonprofit organizations to strengthen the support services, social networks, physical infrastructure, employment, self-determination, and economic vitality of distressed communities. This website provides data and analysis on critical issues affecting struggling families and at-risk kids, as well as information on their programs.

Mission: to address critical issues that confront societies, organizations, and individuals through a global forum that convenes leaders from diverse disciplines.

Utilizing the rigorous discipline of informed dialogue and inquiry, the Institute's seminar and policy programs enhance the participants' ability to think clearly about such issues, mindful of the primacy of moral perspective and the importance of differing viewpoints. The website includes a calendar, book store, information about seminars, giving opportunities, and policy programs, as well as access to useful reports and resources.

Mission: to help low-income people build powerful, effective organizations through which they can change their communities and public policies for the better.

They provide on-site assistance to grassroots groups, connect people to resources, and increase the capacity of community-based organizations. The website gives information about the center and focuses its resources on jobs, economic development, housing, and community development.

Mission: to strengthen and transform communities by enhancing the capacity of inclusive, community leadership development efforts.

Through training seminars, annual leadership conferences, collaborations, partnerships, and educational publications, the Community Leadership Association seeks to inspire and encourage community leadership programs across the country and to help them address issues of vital importance to their respective communities. The website includes a discussion forum, a directory, access to publications, information concerning professional development, list of awards given, conferences, and memberships.

An environment of enrichment within a world of diversity. Providing education and advocacy for refugees and immigrants in Minnesota.

1730 Clifton Place, Suite 100

Minneapolis, MN 55403-2342

Phone: 612-871-6350

E-mail: institute@pdeducation.org

Mission: to publish books, training materials, periodicals, and other media for people interested in developing themselves, their communities, and their organizations.

They offer resources for authors, librarians, booksellers, and instructors. At this website you can browse titles and order any of their materials.

The Rural Latino Resources Guide is a compiled listing of researchers, scientists, educators, and organizations throughout North America who have become willing partners in the documentation, research, and support of rural Latino issues. The Rural Latino Resources Guide has logically separated individuals from organizations, and provides specific contact information about each. The Rural Latino Resources Guide, the first of its kind published by JSRI, also lists publications and other work produced by the Guide's participants. The downloadable version of this guide is provided on this site.

Kauffman Foundation, The
(The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation)

Mission: to research and identify the unfulfilled needs of society and to develop, implement, and/or fund breakthrough solutions that have a lasting impact and offer a choice and hope for the future.

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private foundation that works toward the vision of self-sufficient people in healthy communities. The Kauffman Foundation's work is focused on two areas: youth development and entrepreneurial leadership. The website offers information on programs, partnerships, research, reports, and press releases.

This website provides access to an online collection which contains rural community development materials such as guidebooks, manuals, workshop materials, reports, books, and videos.

Mission: To strengthen and shape the leadership development field by building an inclusive and participatory learning community that shares ideas, resources, results of inquiry, lessons learned, and innovative practices.

The Leadership Learning Community is a national organization of people who run, fund, study, and provide services to leadership development programs and processes.

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Grant: Immigrant Leadership Conference

This program teaches immigrant leaders to work as a team and to work within political structures. In addition, immigrant leaders learn how to maintain their cultural values while establishing a new life in the United States.

Mission: dedicated to learning what works to improve the well-being of low-income people and to enhance the effectiveness of social policies and programs through research and active communication.

MDRC focuses on three areas: welfare and income security, education, and employment and community initiatives. The website offers information about organizations and its programs, publications, and contact information.

Mission: to add value to youth development programs through Minnesota 4-H by winning the hearts and minds of your philanthropic community so that their generosity results in the advancement of programs from the University of Minnesota Center for 4-H Youth Development and 4-H clubs throughout Minnesota.

Through the generosity of our communities all young people of Minnesota will have access to 4H youth development programs for meaningful experience with caring adults, to gain life skills to succeed in society. To achieve the vision the Minnesota 4H Foundation will be the undisputed leader in promoting and achieving philanthropy in support of youth development.

Mission: to improve and restructure agricultural education in Minnesota at all levels.

Members of the Council represent various public, private, and governmental entities with an interest in agricultural education. MAELC is involved in many activities to promote Agricultural Education throughout the state of Minnesota. The web site has related links and press releases, as well as information concerning the council members, grants, scholarships, meetings, and initiatives.

Mission: To develop the skills of Minnesota agricultural and rural leaders so they may maximize their impact and effectiveness in local, state, national, and international arenas.

Over a two-year period, up to 30 of Minnesota's best and brightest agricultural and rural leaders will improve their skills through a challenging and uniquely structured educational experience - the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) Program. The program will help agricultural and rural leaders realize their potential more quickly, so they may ascend to greater leadership heights in their lifetime and better meet the challenges of today while engineering a thriving tomorrow. The website gives a program profile, opportunity to invest, contact information, and information about the first class of the program.

Mission: to promote multicultural understanding through educational programs of communication, ethnic events and cultural learning; to provide multiple resources to individuals, corporations, and community, non-profit, government and educational organizations needing assistance in the areas of cultural diversity; to enhance the understanding of diversity as a means for all of us to prosper together.

MCDC acts as a catalyst for individuals, corporations, and community, non-profit, government and educational organizations by providing networking, referral services, educational activities, and promoting the value of cultural diversity. The website includes information on monthly cultural events, information on their annual video- conference, access to newsletter, and information on programs, and services.

Mission: to make rural communities stronger and more prosperous, with local people deciding where the money should go.

The Minnesota Initiative Funds are six independent nonprofit philanthropic organizations created by the McKnight Foundation in 1986 to serve the six regions outside the Twin Cities metro area. The Initiative Funds make grants and loans within their regions for economic development, leadership development, community building, and human services. The website gives examples of past grants, information on funds, and links to the six regional initiative foundations.

(Contact information is available on website for all six initiative funds.)

Mission: to promote citizen participation efforts, increase the impact of volunteer programs, and stimulate public-private partnerships in Minnesota.

MOCVS is a resource organization for people managing volunteer programs and citizen initiatives. The website has a resource library which contains approximately 1500 books, videos, periodicals, etc. It also has volunteer recognition, current publications, and access to its mentoring network.

Mission: to build vital, just communities with young people through service-learning.

As one of America's most prominent advocates of service-learning and youth service, the NYLC is at the forefront of efforts to reform education and guide youth-oriented public policy. Their vision includes youth, learning, and community. The website provides access to publications, videos, online resources, program information, professional development, and access to the national service-learning exchange.

Mission: to lead social sector organizations toward excellence in performance.

Provides conferences, leadership and management resources, awards, and fellowships. Website offers resources, notes about the foundation¬s work, and access to the Drucker Foundation Self-Assessment Tool, which leads nonprofit organizations to clarify mission, define results, set goals, and develop a focused plan.

Mission: to identify and document promising solutions crucial to strong communities.

Their research explores how innovative partnerships, citizen participation, and accessible technology catalyze civic solutions in these areas. The website has access to its publications, as well as resources and links. It also has information and ideas in categories such as thriving neighborhoods, living-wage jobs, viable economics, healthy families and children, and collaborative leadership.

The Rural Development Leadership Network (RDLN), a national multicultural social change organization founded in 1983, supports community-based development in poor rural areas through hands-on projects, education and skills building, leadership development and networking. The website gives information about earning a degree while working in rural development along with other educational programs.