Project Partners
Organizations
1000 Friends of Minnesota
As the leading statewide organization committed to promoting growth management, 1000 Friends of Minnesota has a ten-year track record of helping communities balance growth with conservation. Our emphasis on balancing community growth with quality of life and conservation is reflected in our mission: 1000 Friends of Minnesota seeks to promote development that creates healthy communities while conserving natural areas, family farms, woodlands and water. Visit 1000 Friends of Minnesota on the web at www.1000fom.org.
Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA)
The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) is an all-University applied research and technical assistance center that helps the University of Minnesota fulfill its land grant and urban missions by connecting faculty and student researchers with nonprofit organizations, businesses, neighborhoods, local governments and state agencies in Minnesota. CURA supports research and publishes policy-oriented reports on a wide range of urban and regional issues. Visit CURA on the web at www.cura.umn.edu.
Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
The Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota ranks among the top professional schools of public affairs at public universities in the country, as does its program concentration in nonprofit management. The Institute is widely recognized for its role in examining public issues and shaping public policy at the local, state, national and international levels, and for providing leadership and management expertise to public and nonprofit organizations. Visit the Humphrey Institute on the web at www.hhh.umn.edu.
Consultant Planners
1000 Friends of Minnesota selected three Minnesota planning firms to join the six-year Community Growth Options (CGO) project: Community Growth Institute, DSU/Bonestroo and Municipal Development Group.
Community Growth Institute
The Community Growth Institute is a rural land use think tank. Rural communities are our focus and passion. In addition to research and training on rural land use issues, we offer rural communities a variety of services and resources, from preparing comprehensive plans and writing ordinances to performing daily planning and zoning administration duties. Unlike a conventional planning firm, our approach incorporates the entire spectrum of planning — we start with research geared toward rural communities, we do planning that builds off of this research, and then we work day-today with communities to implement their visions. Visit Community Growth Institute online at http://www.communitygrowth.com/.
DSU/Bonestroo
A full-service engineering and planning firm, Bonestroo has served clients with innovative solutions since 1956. Their multi-disciplined professionals include 40-year veterans and recent college graduates—a mix that allows us to combine new ideas and state-of-the-art technologies with seasoned experience. Every project deserves a distinct approach. Whether you are building essential infrastructure, conserving and restoring natural systems, or creating community amenities, our commitment to serving you is both our foundation and our future. Our practice is to improve your places. Our hope is to improve your lives. Visit DSU/Bonestroo online at http://www.bonestroo.com/.
Municipal Development Group
Municipal Development Group (MDG) provides city planning, economic development and grant writing services to municipalities across the state of Minnesota. MDG’s corporate philosophy is rooted in the uniqueness of each City and every project. We believe a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, while a popular and easy method for a consulting firm to adopt is not functional or in the best interest of those served. That’s why MDG takes the time to provide original and customized service. We are committed to meeting the individual needs of each and every client through professional, personalized service. Learn more about Municipal Development Group online at http://www.municipaldevelopmentgroup.com/.
Funder
McKnight Foundation
The McKnight Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations through grantmaking, coalition-building and encouraging strategic policy reform. Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William L. McKnight and Maude L. McKnight, the Minnesota-based Foundation has assets of approximately $2.2 billion and granted about $93 million in 2006. Program information and full grant descriptions are available at www.mcknight.org.
