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Design, Innovation & Measurement

Empower What's Possible

Building creative solutions for a changing world.

As the needs of Minnesotans change, we need to do more than just keep up. We must leverage our expertise, experience and service data to lead through innovation.

Building on our entrepreneurial approach to mission-driven work for our neighbors, we envision an LSS that uses dedicated service design and measurement disciplines to rethink, reinvent, modernize and advance the next generation of our services.

The LSS Design Lab

The LSS Design Lab is our bold investment in transforming how social services are delivered. By combining innovation, data and accountability, we are finding the most effective and efficient ways to serve — reducing waste, improving outcomes, and leading the sector forward.

Two approaches. One purpose: discovering and scaling the most effective ways to serve.

Strategic Portfolio

A leadership-driven approach to designing, testing and scaling high-impact service models — guided by data, outcomes and community need. It will be advanced through youth pilots focused on mentorship, behavioral health, and financial stability and employment.

LSS Incubator

A bottom-up engine for innovation — listening to frontline service experts within LSS, then testing ideas from the ground up to drive real-world results.

LSS Data Intelligence

LSS has long adapted and strengthened services to meet the evolving needs of our neighbors. The Empower What’s Possible Data Intelligence initiative builds on that legacy by formalizing and elevating how we collect, connect and use information across the organization.

Data Intelligence helps LSS:

  • Turn information into action. We will use data to identify emerging needs, respond more quickly to changing community challenges and make strategic decisions grounded in evidence.
  • Continuously learn and innovate. By measuring outcomes and evaluating what works, data helps us refine services, improve results and expand approaches that demonstrate meaningful impact.

Why Data Matters

Data provides a clearer understanding of what is happening across programs and communities, enabling LSS to invest resources wisely, strengthen coordination and ensure services remain responsive to the people we serve. Together with the Design Lab, it creates a strong foundation for designing smarter solutions, testing new ideas and scaling proven strategies — while clearly demonstrating accountability to funders, partners and communities.

Goals

LSS Design Lab
$2.5M

  • Personnel to lead innovation and design processes
  • Funding to launch and test innovative projects

Data Intelligence
$3.5M

  • Technology solutions and personnel to implement a renewal of data infrastructure
  • Analytics model to evaluate and improve service delivery

Learn more

Check out these resources to explore how LSS is using data and innovative service design to change the social service landscape of Minnesota.

LSS Design Lab

LSS Data Intelligence

Contact Us

If you have questions about how you can get involved and support Empower What’s Possible, please contact our development team at: Development@lssmn.org and 651.529.8899.

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