Girl reading and studying at a table
Our Research

We Conduct Research to Listen, Learn, and Drive Action With Communities

In Minnesota, data show that girls and women, particularly from communities of color and those who live in greater Minnesota, experience economic, safety, health, and leadership disparities that prevent them from thriving. The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota conducts qualitative and quantitative research to better understand the lives of women and girls within communities, identify assets and barriers, and fund solutions.

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Qualitative and Quantitative Research

In Minnesota, research data illustrate sharp disparities in outcomes for young women in Minnesota’s communities of color and in greater Minnesota.

However, the Women’s Foundation believes data alone does not tell the entire story – hearing personal narratives allows us to get to the community context.

Related Research:

Research: Impacts of YWI MN on the State’s Labor Market ›

Research: Status of Women & Girls in Minnesota ›

Research: Mapping the Demand ›

Research: Mapping the Market ›

Qualitative Research: Listening to Community

  • Southern Minnesota storyboard
  • Somali East African storyboard
  • Northern Minnesota storyboard
  • LGBTQ storyboard
  • Latina storyboard
  • Hmong and Karen storyboard
  • African American storyboard

Listening Sessions

From November 2015 – December 2016, the Women’s Foundation convened nine listening sessions featuring young women and advocates from the Somali and East African, American Indian, African American, Latina, Hmong and Karen, LGBTQ, disabilities, and northern and southern Greater Minnesota communities. The sessions enabled each community to form its own panels to allow for deeper conversation around economics, racism and culture, school and education, societal and gender norms, safety, and health.

We know problems and solutions are found in the same place and hearing directly from young women and youth is an important part of finding solutions. The information gathered from the sessions helps the Foundation develop a statewide agenda for gender and racial equity and increase resources for girls and women across Minnesota with the greatest disparities in outcomes. The qualitative data we gained from the listening sessions was instrumental in driving the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota (YWI MN).

Listening Session | Volume I | WFMN

Listening to Young Women of Color, Youth, & Advocates: Volume I

Listening Session | Volume II | WFMN

Listening to Young Women of Color, Youth, & Advocates: Volume II

Listening Session | Volume III | WFMN

Listening to Young Women of Color, Youth, & Advocates: Volume III

Listening Session | Executive Summary | WFMN

Listening to Young Women of Color, Youth, & Advocates: Executive Summary

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Listening to Young Women of Color, Youth, & Advocates: Volume I

Produced with the participation of the White House Council on Women and Girls, Listening to Young Women of Color, Youth, & Advocates: Volume I documents the first two listening sessions the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota convened for young women and advocates from the Somali and East African communities and American Indian communities.

Listening to Young Women of Color, Youth, & Advocates: Volume II

Produced with the participation of the NoVo Foundation, Listening to Young Women of Color, Youth, & Advocates: Volume II documents three listening sessions the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota convened for young women and advocates from the African American, Latina, and Hmong and Karen communities.

Listening to Young Women of Color, Youth, & Advocates: Volume III

Produced with the participation of the NoVo Foundation, Listening to Young Women of Color, Youth, & Advocates: Volume III documents three listening sessions the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota convened for young women, youth, and advocates from the LGBTQ, and from Greater Minnesota (northern and southern).

Listening to Young Women of Color, Youth, & Advocates: Executive Summary

Produced with the participation of the NoVo Foundation, Listening to Minnesota’s Young Women, Youth, & Advocates: Executive Summary provides a high-level overview of all the Foundation’s listening sessions with young women of color, American Indian young women, young women from Greater Minnesota, LGBTQ youth, and young women with disabilities.