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Metropolitan Impact: Using the Research Center for Engagement

iLabs, Center for Innovation Research

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Partnerships

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Background on iLabs

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University of Michigan-Dearborn Center

for Innovation Research

• Creating an infrastructure for community engagement by connecting regional partners, students, and faculty to address community challenges . . .

• Three product lines:

Internal Studies

(University-Level)

• Student Exit Surveys

• Post-Graduate Expectations Survey

Sponsored Research (External/Regional

partners)

• Ford Needs Analysis

• Capuchin Soup Kitchen Project

Program Initiatives (Annual & Regional)

• eCities

• Michigan Technology Climate Survey

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eCities – Overview

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http://youtu.be/goChsIyhXUU

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eCities – Impact

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• Help Michigan communities encourage entrepreneurs

and small businesses

• First major study by a business school to focus on local-

level economic development

• Benchmarking study to support local governments:

• Quantitative & qualitative research

• Longitudinal performance metrics

• Customized data analysis through benchmarking reports

• In 2012,114 communities from 40 counties:

• Home to 34% of Michigan’s residents

• Account for 50% of Michigan’s real commercial property

• Home to over 125,000 entrepreneurs & over $3 billion in income

• Over $1.5 billion in commercial construction

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Ford Non-Profit Analysis – Overview

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• Develop long-range project that engages University, students, and non-profit

organizations (NPOs)

• Project was broken down into two stages

• Developed 70 question survey of NPOs in Michigan; had 50 responses

• The key findings of the research were that NPOs want support with:

1. Funding support

2. Operational and performance measurement

3. Reputation management and marketing tools

• Organized students to “consult” with NPOs and develop internal benchmarking reports along with external marketing reports

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To what extent do the following activities currently/will soon pose a

challenge for your organization in fulfilling its mission? Agree

Enhancing visibility/reputation 74%

Evaluating/assessing program outcomes/impact 68%

Creating, updating, and using databases 66%

Obtaining technology resources 62%

Recruiting/keeping volunteers 60%

Reaching potential clients/users 60%

Maintaining performance indicators 58%

Training staff/volunteers on technology 58%

When asked which areas are critical to the organization in supporting its mission: • 100% agreed Programming and Planning

• 98% agreed Operations and Governance

Ford Non-Profit Analysis – Phase I

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Ford Non-Profit Analysis – Phase I

IT Toolkits & Needs Assessment of Centralized Resources/Portal

Organizational Outcome Assessment System & Business Intelligence Tools

Reputation Management & Marketing Tools

Regional tool for collaboration on outcome assessment, benchmarking, and partnerships (Long Term)

Four key goals emerged from phase I and became the premise for the next phase:

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• Students spend an average of 15-20

hours with each NPO = over 2,000

hours since June 2012

• 14 NPOs participated

• Generated full-detailed reports and

baseline reports

• Database housing all collected NPO data

• Online resources for NPOs

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Ford Non-Profit Analysis – Phase II

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• Access to UM-Dearborn resources

(students, faculty, and database)

• Detailed overview report of annual

performance

• This level of analysis enables NPO’s to track

project/program progress and identify

opportunities for improvement

• Hands-on involvement in the creation of

these reports results in a personalized

report based on the NPO’s mission,

capacity, and expectations

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Ford Non-Profit Analysis – NPO Benefits

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Capuchin Soup Kitchen Project • Marketing and operational plan

Recovery Park Project • Business plan for Detroit urban farm/neighborhood stabilization

Jewish/Chaldean News Project • Measuring collaboration in two entrepreneurial communities

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Studies of Mention

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Panel Discussion

Panel Members:

Joy Beatty, Associate Professor at UM-Dearborn College of Business

Tim Davis, iLabs Director

Nicole Mangis, iLabs Assistant Director

Ife Oyedele, iLabs Student Researcher

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