Donaldson Foundation awards 360 Communities $25,000 to support its school success work

Donaldson FoundationBurnsville, MN –   The Donaldson Foundation recently awarded a $25,000 grant to 360 Communities to support its school-based Partners For Success® program. Partners for Success® has family support workers in 29 schools in six districts where they build trusting relationships with students, parents, and teachers. They provide families with a wide array of stabilizing resources to ensure children can come to school focused on learning. 

“The Donaldson Foundation is pleased to announce our support of 360 Communities with a $25,000 grant,” said Sarah Swenson, Donaldson Foundation president. “Their Partners for Success program is helping at-risk students succeed in school, and their mission – to deliver safety and stability that improves lives – aligns with our efforts to support organizations and programs that further educational initiatives in our communities. We are proud to support them in their important work.”

“The Donaldson Foundation is a committed partner in ensuring children’s success in school and life,” says 360 Communities President and CEO Jeff Mortensen. “This funding will help us set students up to stay on track for graduation, and that creates hope and economic benefits for our community’s future.”

Partners For Success graduatesProgram participants achieve 

During the 2022-2023 school year, our Partners For Success® staff served 2,515 people, including 1,283 students from 683 families. Participants in the program set goals during the school year and achieved the following results:

  • 87% of students improved or stabilized their attendance.
  • 84% of students improved or maintained their academic performance.
  • 91% of parents improved engagement with the school.
  • 87% of families increased their financial stability.
  • 84% of families stabilized their housing.

Return on Investment

Forty-one students graduated from high school with support from the program.

A University of Minnesota study found that preventing just four students from dropping out of school generates social returns that pay for an entire year of the program. The study concluded that for every dollar invested in this program, a conservative estimate of $5.00 is returned in social benefits back to the community.