Emma Norton Services

History

Emma Norton Services was founded in 1917 to offer a socially acceptable place for young women coming of age to live on their own in pursuit of their educational and occupational life goals. As society changed over the next 50 years, women gained independence and were free to rent their own apartments and didn’t need housing that included chaperones. From the 1970’s to the early 1980’s, ENS offered housing with additional services to many groups needing extra supports, and was in a prime position to begin offering emergency shelter services to women in Ramsey County that were experiencing homelessness. Out of those early shelter roots, Emma Norton Services has grown into a $4 million dollar organization that provides permanent (long term) supportive housing through a variety of programs and models to individuals and families who have experienced homelessness as well as have a disabling condition. Today, ENS serves approximately 300 clients per year and is on track to increase that number.

Strategic Priorities

The organization is currently working with a consultant, Prouty Project, to develop the next future strategic plan. The former plan achieved two major goals in early 2024. One, Emma Norton opened Restoring Waters – a new trauma informed supportive housing development and organizational headquarters. In the fall of 2024, the organization will launch a new trauma informed mental health service known as the Living Room.

During the Fall of 2024, the board is data gathering and developing its environmental review and SWOT analysis so that in early 2025 it can develop the next phase of strategic work.

Annual Budget: $4,000,000 – Foundations, Individual Contributions, Government Grants or Contracts

Skills

Emma Norton Services is seeking board members with skills in the following areas:

• Facilities and Real Estate
• Financial Management
• Strategic and Business Planning
• Technology

ENS seeks individuals with a genuine desire to help our local work to provide safe, affordable housing & services to women/families in transition. We are focused on bringing perspectives aligned with the needs/experiences of our clients, including candidates that identify as BIPOC, have experienced homelessness, substance use, & other traumas, or have experienced the need for social services in their lives. Bringing perspectives based on lived experiences are just as important, if not more, than specific professional experience, though candidates with Finance and HR experience are also needed.

Information

• Number of members currently: 20
• Meeting frequency:  9 meetings annually
• Meeting location: Virtual
• Does nonprofit carry liability insurance? Yes

Expectations

• Time Expectation: Up to 5 hours/month
• Financial Contribution Required: Yes
• Service on Committee Required: Yes
  • Committees: Executive, Finance, Governance, Fundraising, Other
• Length of Term: 3 Years
• Renewable: Yes