An employer-led civic alliance focused on building a thriving economy and expanding prosperity for all.

"The work of Itasca is important. Just as important is how that work gets done: Leaders from across sectors, volunteering their time to tackle the challenges facing our region The relationships I have built through the work of Itasca — especially its CEO DEI Cohort — have helped me lead an even more inclusive culture at Bremer."

"I would suggest that Itasca could be a model of how dialogue and community building happen in the age of accelerations — between businesses, governments, and key civic players."

"Employers play an important role in the healthy development of children when it counts most. Itasca took up the challenge of building a movement with its science-based First Thousand Days report and developed a toolkit to help employers better support their employees and their families, so our region’s children get the start in life they deserve. "

"The partnership the Itasca Project created with the U of M’s Center for Integrative Leadership brings insights from the Young American Leaders Program to communities across Minnesota. Minnesota YALP remains the first of its kind in the country. Every year when HBS faculty come to Minnesota to teach select sessions, we are impressed by the dedication of senior Itasca leaders to nurture relationships with, and among, rising civic stars. Our Minnesota experiences, made possible by Itasca and CIL, generate new ideas for Harvard’s national civic efforts."

"Business Bridge formed from an Itasca task force on job growth in 2010. Since then, purchasing from Minnesota suppliers by a handful of the region‘s largest employers has increased more than 40%. A federal grant secured by GREATER MSP will enable Business Bridge to scale, making the Twin Cities region — including its minority-owned businesses — even stronger."

Welcome to the Itasca Project

The Itasca Project members are drawn together by an interest in new and better ways to address regional issues that impact economic competitiveness and quality of life in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region. Its 70-plus participants are leaders from across the business, philanthropic and public sectors, with leadership coming from the private-sector CEOs. The group also includes a number of public and nonprofit leaders, including the office of governor of Minnesota, the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, the chair of the Metropolitan Council, the leaders of the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State, and leaders of major nonprofits and foundations.

Why?

Vibrant communities require cross-sector collaboration to create new opportunities and solve persistent problems.

What?

The Itasca Project seeks to raise regional economic competiveness, improve quality of life and expand prosperity for all.

We are a virtual organization that enables business leaders and other major employers to make a positive impact on the long-term societal challenges facing our region — challenges that stand in the way of equitable regional prosperity and the ultimate success of their organizations.

How?

We take action through cross-sector, non-partisan task forces led by senior executives address up to three issues each year. They begin with a comprehensive base of knowledge and compelling case for change, followed by a set of recommendations to be implemented by previously identified community partners. Itasca also convenes established leaders around important civic issues, and cultivates our region’s next-generation civic leaders from private, public, nonprofit, education and philanthropic sectors to strengthen social capital and provide hands-on opportunities for cross-sector problem-solving.

A volunteer, cross-sector working team provides ongoing guidance for Itasca.

An employer-led civic alliance focused on building a thriving economy and expanding prosperity for all.

Welcome to the Itasca Project

Why?

What?

How?

info@itascaproject.org