Collectivity supports ConnectedMN in their mission of connecting all students in the state
Overview of ConnectedMN
ConnectedMN is a public-private partnership working to bring tech devices, internet access and programmatic support to students across Minnesota, including students who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color, students from low-income families, and students residing in rural Minnesota. ConnectedMN was established in collaboration with the Governor’s Office in May 2020.
As a vested partner in the mission, the Collectivity team views itself as an extension of the ConnectedMN team. Collectivity plays an active role in helping leadership set strategy and supporting aligned activities. We’ve been so grateful to be a part of this work, we’d love to share what we’ve been up to so you can imagine how we can support your coalition with your own impact in our community.
Rapid Process Design + Facilitation
When Collectivity joined the partnership in the fall of 2020 we responded to ConnectedMN’s most immediate need: a community-informed decision making process with a quick turnaround. Collectivity coordinated 40 stakeholders in the review of 81 applications totaling more than $8 million in grant requests. Collectivity created the “container” for community members to make informed decisions about where to allocate the $2.15 million. We created a knowledge management platform to collect, store and share documents and crafted agendas for the meetings. While facilitating, we provided data in real time of key grant making priorities (e.g. geography, community served, solutions) so decision makers could agree on a grant portfolio that aligned with their intended objectives. Grants to 23 organizations were made serving the connectivity and computing needs of an estimated 68,000 students and their families in urban and rural communities. With these resources, grantees are providing access to devices, internet connectivity, supportive mentors, coaching and tech support.
www.connectedmn.us
Strategy Co-Creator + Structure for Fulfilling that Strategy
We’re now also taking a higher level view as we support ConnectedMN’s leadership to craft strategy amidst a rapidly changing environment. Here’s how we’ve supported ConnectedMN’s long term visioning and commitment to adaptive learning:
Created an ecosystem strategy map so partners can visualize their work in driving the bigger digital equity outcomes
Advise ConnectedMN on public/private partnership structure
Design and co-facilitate weekly Steering Team meetings designed to advance key programs
Meet weekly with other sector leaders in this space & share insight with leadership
Created and maintain a CRM system for the core team
Built and maintained an interactive inventory of the current players in this digital equity space.
To learn more about ConnectedMN and take a look at the site we’ve developed click here. We’re grateful that our team’s unique view of collaboration, expertise in facilitation and operations is making a difference for Minnesota students.
