2023-2025 Strategic Plan Update: Fall 2025
Key Focus Area Progress April 2025-October 2025
1. Aligning Program Operations for Community Impact
Center human dignity in the delivery of programs focused on short and long-term collective impact.
Progress Updates
- Further expanded website accessibility with UserWay’s accessibility widget which improves the experience for users with ADHD, blindness, color blindness, dyslexia, motor impairment, and more.
- Cross-departmental work groups are working to streamline applications, launch online applications, and add in-office kiosks to make applying for assistance faster, easier, and more accessible.
- While our streamlining efforts have improved accessibility, clarity, and data integrity, different requirements for program applications continue to be confusing for clients.
- The DEED Getting to Work Grant which enabled us to serve 243 people through our Vehicle Repair Program in 2024 and 2025 was not included in the state’s new budget. This will significantly reduce the number of people we can assist next year.
- Financial need from clients continues to outweigh the capacity of direct service programs such as the Energy Assistance, Rental Assistance, and Water Assistance programs.
2. Building Community Wealth Through Collaboration
Promoting an environment for community prosperity that maximizes resource access for all.
Progress Updates
- In July, a partnership with a local realtor resulted in 37 people from her down payment assistance program attending one of CAP-HC’s financial wellness workshops.
- We referred 36 clients to the Mechanical Contractors Association resulting in 33 households receiving furnace cleanings and tune-ups.
3. Affecting Policy to Build Momentum for Systemic Change
Addressing the root causes of poverty as a collective effort.
Progress Updates
- There were no attempts to make cuts to the Minnesota Community Action Grant (MCAG) or Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) funding during the 2025 Minnesota Legislative Session.
- Recruited 3 staff members to participate in a “Stories of Service” blog series that was featured during Community Action Month (May 2025). These blog posts highlighted Water Assistance, Financial Wellness, and Solar Programs and were viewed more than 400,000 times on social media
- For the second year in a row, CAP-HC partnered with the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank to distribute its Worker Experience Survey through our e-newsletter.
- The federal government shutdown creates uncertainty around operations, federal funding, and legislative dynamics across agencies and programs, including Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).
4. Activating Change through Robust Funding Development
Diversify funding and grow unrestricted revenue to increase sustainability and maximize program flexibility and impact.
Progress Updates
- Developed new collateral for general operating, Employment Readiness, and Housing Stability funding needs to assist with institutional prospect outreach.
- Applied for 27 grants as of September 30.
- As government funding is cut or at risk of being cut across the nonprofit sector, there is even more competition for grants and donors.
5. Investing in Team Members for a Thriving CAP-HC
Foster a vibrant and positive environment where staff can expand their capabilities and utilize their unique advantages as they further our mission.
Progress Updates
- Completed all-staff trainings on “Workplace Alignment & Resilience” and “Handling Workplace Stress.”
- Implemented new hire employee orientation, onboarding, and 90-day review process to enhance the employee experience.
- Wellness Committee launched new team-building activities.
- A smaller 2026 budget* creates a need to think creatively about how to support staff in an increasingly lean environment.
*MCAG funded at 2022-2023 level rather than extending 2024-2025 increased funding levels, DEED Getting to Work grant not in Minnesota’s 2026 budget, and other threats to state and federal funding.
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