More Measures

Active involvement in civic organizations
Metropolitan State University Civic Confidence Survey measures Twin Cities residents' involvement in civic organizations. Data available for 1996 to the present. For results, see section titled "Civic Engagement".

Civic health index
The National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) is the nation’s leading advocate for civic participation and the only organization chartered by Congress to play that role. The NCoC created America’s Civic Health Index to assess how the American people were performing on a wide array of indicators of civic health. Annual reports available from 2006 to present.

Contributions to civic organizations
Responses to the 2007 Twin Cities Compass Survey question: "In the past 12 months, have you given money to a 1) nonprofit organization, community organization or neighborhood group, 2) school or youth group, 3) religious organization or 4) political group, political candidate or political event?"

Perceptions of elected officials
Metropolitan State University Civic Confidence Survey measures Twin Cities residents' perceptions of honesty and responsiveness in elected officials. Data available for 1996 to the present. For results, see section titled "Trust in Government/Satisfaction with Performance".

Philanthropic giving by corporate and other foundations
The Foundation Center reports giving by corporate, independent, community and operating foundations located in the Twin Cities 13-county area, regardless of the location of recipients.

Philanthropic recipients of Minnesota corporate and other foundation grants
Minnesota Council on Foundations Giving in Minnesota reports Minnesota corporate and other foundation grants to recipients within the Twin Cities 7-county metro area. Data available for 2003 to the present.

Public expression of opinion
Responses to the 2007 Twin Cities Compass Survey question: "In the past 12 months, have you written a letter to the editor, called in to a news talk show on radio or television, or posted your opinions on a public blog?"

Trust in government
Responses to the 2007 Twin Cities Compass Survey question: "How much of the time do you think you can trust state and local government to do what is right?"

Volunteerism of students in the Twin Cities
The Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) is administered every three years to students in grades 6, 9, and 12. It asks questions about a variety of behaviors, including volunteer work during the school year. Data available by state, region and county for 2001, 2004 and 2007. See section of report titled "enrichment activities".

Volunteerism in the Twin Cities
The Corporation for National and Community Service presents a 13-county area profile by place, age, gender, hours and type of activity of volunteer trends and activities, based upon 2004 to 2006 three-year averages from the September supplement to the Current Population Survey.

Volunteerism in the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics offers data and information on the demographics and characteristics of volunteering in the U.S.. Data available from 2002 to the present.

Voter turnout of the voting eligible population
George Mason University's United States Election Project calculates the turnout of the voting eligible population by state and U.S. This differs from the voting-age population because it excludes persons ineligible to vote, such as non-citizens and felons. It includes overseas eligible voters, which are customarily excluded from the voting-age population because they do not reside in the U.S.. Data available from 1980 to the present.

Data rich sites

990 Finder
The Foundation Center's search tool for the IRS 990 form filed annually by all nonprofit organizations. Information provided about the mission, programs and finances of any nonprofit organization.

Civic Confidence Survey
Metropolitan State University's annual survey measures civic confidence among Twin Cities residents. The survey captures citizens' views on government services and employees, ethics of elected officials, our regional economy, public schools and major issues facing government.

Metro Residents Survey
The Metropolitan Council's annual survey of Twin Cities area residents' attitudes and concerns about the 7-county region. Questions focus on quality of life issues and the Council's priorities and performance.

National Center for Charitable Statistics
A national clearinghouse of data on the nonprofit sector in the United States sponsored by the Urban Institute. Offers a wide array of data on U.S. public charities, private foundations, business leagues, trade unions and others. Includes detailed state profiles.

Volunteering in America
Interactive web site that presents and analyzes the latest volunteering data available in a clear and customizable way.