COLAB BY THE CONSTELLATION FUND INVESTS IN ACTIONABLE RESEARCH ON POVERTY- FIGHTING SOLUTIONS.

CoLab aims to reduce intergenerational poverty and support thriving communities by funding and supporting actionable, longitudinal research on programs, practices, and their effects. Better data will grow evidence-informed funding and community efforts to strengthen and scale solutions.

DR. MATT MORTON | COLAB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

COLAB GOALS

Identify Promising Solutions

We identify promising solutions to poverty in Minnesota and beyond through listening and collaborating with community partners, engaging lived expertise, and examining existing evidence.

Fund and Support Actionable Research

Through funding longitudinal impact evaluations of promising solutions, we aim to strengthen evidence on what works to reduce poverty and support long-term thriving.

Contribute to Population-Level Impact

We aim to influence systems change and funding through strategic communication of research and collaboration with government, philanthropy, and community partners.

What is a Longitudinal Impact Evaluation?

A longitudinal impact evaluation is a research method that follows the impact a program or service has on a group of people over an extended period. By observing the same participants repeatedly, researchers can identify trends, patterns, and causal relationships that might not be apparent in shorter-term studies.

PASS THE MIC

CoLab’s first research grant was awarded to Research In Action, a research and evaluation organization that aims to promote equitable action. Together we’ve conducted Pass The Mic, the first systematic study that asks Minnesotans living in poverty what they need for long-term thriving.

WALLIN EDUCATION PARTNERS

CoLab’s first evaluation planning grant has been awarded to MDRC in order to examine the poverty- fighting impacts of providing comprehensive support to low-income students. We’ve partnered with the Wallin Scholars program to follow post-secondary education scholars along their academic journeys and into the beginning of meaningful careers.

PARENTCHILD+

CoLab has awarded an innovation grant to Wilder Research to conduct a formative evaluation with Jewish Family and Children’s Services. The study will examine impact of ParentChild+, a program providing home-visiting services to families with children, preparing them for school, increasing health and development, and strengthening families’ supportive behavior.