Tasks Unlimited

History

We believe that all people, including those with mental illness, deserve the chance at a meaningful life, a life full of living, working, and achieving.

Since 1970, Tasks Unlimited has supported adults living with severe and persistent mental illness to achieve stable and independent lives. Given the inherent instability that serious mental illness causes in peoples’ lives, many of our clients have previously experienced homelessness or housing instability. Tasks was founded by a group of social workers at Anoka State Hospital inspired by Dr. George Fairweather’s model based on the then-controversial idea that people with serious mental illness could lead productive, independent lives in the community. Tasks’ work is structured across three primary programs: supported employment, housing stability, and mental health services.

Since our founding, Tasks Unlimited’s structure has expanded to include more living and employment options, a wider range of mental health services, and, most recently, an expansion to better serve those with mental illness who are struggling with housing instability or homelessness. These service expansions speak to our unique ability to adapt to our community’s needs, especially people of color and those at or below 200 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines. Our organization’s evolution strengthens our pursuit of the Tasks mission: providing supported employment, housing, and recovery services to create opportunities for people with mental illness so they can achieve their full potential.

Strategic Priorities

1. Financial stability and sustainability – reinvigorate and expand fundraising, adapt to current trends impacting bottom line, proactively prepare for anticipated funding shifts, invest in the future (technology, office space, employees)
2. Expansion and increased visibility – implement new marketing strategy, expand strategic partnerships, explore and implement new services that align with mission while expanding access to current services.
3. Organizational development – Adapt office environments and locations to meet current and future needs, maintain roots of organizational culture through leadership transition, and promote employee development.

Annual Budget: $12,000,000 – Foundations, Individual Contributions, Government Grants or Contracts

Skills

Tasks Unlimited is seeking board members with skills in the following areas:

• Facilities and Real Estate
• Fundraising
• Marketing and Communications
• Public Policy and Advocacy

Information

• Number of members currently: 12
• Meeting frequency:  4 meetings annually
• Meeting location: Minneapolis
• Does nonprofit carry liability insurance? Yes

Expectations

• Time Expectation: Up to 5 hours/month
• Financial Contribution Required: No
• Service on Committee Required: No
  • Committees: Executive, Finance
• Length of Term: 3 Years
• Renewable: Yes