Dispute Resolution Center

What it reported doing in 2024

Drc is dedicated to restoring and empowering communities by promoting the constructive resolution of conflict through open communication and shared decision-making. Founded in 1982 as a pilot project co-sponsored by the ramsey county bar association, the city of saint paul, and the Minnesota supreme court, drc is Minnesota's oldest community mediation organization. Drc operates at the intersection of justice and community, offering civil, family, and community mediation; restorative justice and diversion; restorative practices training; community healing circles; and youth development programs. 2024 outcomes: mediation: in 2024, drc's mediation program provided support to 471 individuals through 209 mediation sessions, including 67 in housing court, 33 in harassment court, 38 in conciliation court, and 71 community cases. The program achieved a 75% settlement rate, resulting in 157 formal agreements, and supported 198 referrals to renthelpmn for additional housing assistance. The majority of participants identified as black (59.3%), followed by white (22.7%), multicultural (10.9%), hispanic (2.8%), american indian (2.7%), somali (0.5%), pacific islander (0.5%), and 1.4% preferred not to answer. Participants were predominantly female (72.5%), with males comprising 25.6%, transgender males 0.5%, and 1.4% preferring not to answer. Regarding household disability, 50.2% reported no household member with a disability, 40.8% reported at least one household member with a disability, and 9% preferred not to answer. Survey responses from 73 participants reflected high satisfaction with the mediation process: 72% strongly agreed and 14% agreed that they felt heard and understood; 41% strongly agreed and 30% agreed that mediation improved their communication with others; and 65% strongly agreed and 20% agreed that they made voluntary, informed, and collaborative decisions. Overall, the 2024 mediation program successfully facilitated dialogue, resolution, and informed decision-making for participants across diverse backgrounds. Drc focused on strengthening its mediation and housing support services. Staff trained mediators in the restorative mediation process and enhanced the capacity of the housing department, equipping staff and interns to take on expanded duties. As always, in partnership with community mediation Minnesota (cmm), we offered four trainings to community members for certification as a mn rule 114 qualified neutral attending a 30-hour civil mediation (january and july), and a 40-hour training in family mediation (june and october). Drc also organized a property manager and owner resource fair, attended by 25 participants. With the conclusion of renthelpmn, the team developed strategies for the second semester of 2024, including onboarding and training two new interns and redesigning programs. Anticipating lower property manager participation without the renthelpmn incentive, drc plans to resume one-on-one conflict consulting and coaching sessions as a primary engagement strategy. Restorative justice & diversion during the 2024-2025 grant cycle, drc expanded our gro (giving real opportunities) and ethos diversion programs, as well as our weekly circles of support. These programs provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed alternatives to the traditional juvenile justice system. Yip funding supported key components of program delivery, including personnel (youth development manager, trained circle keepers, volunteers), youth incentives, community engagement, and data tracking. Youth ages 10-24 referred by our partners, st. Paul attorney's office (spao), ramsey county attorney's office (rcao), and restorative justice community action (rjca), engaged in restorative justice circles focused on accountability, healing, and growth. Several of our diversion youth also participated in weekly circles of support to strengthen social emotional skills and reduce risk factors for future system involvement. 1. Diversion program outcomes

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 65.1%; rating input score 65
• Program expense ratio: 71.9%; rating input score 72
• Fundraising efficiency: $14.61 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 9.4%; rating input score 60; 60th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.4; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 24.6%; rating input score 10; 10th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 12.8% per year; rating input score 100; 70th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 18.3% per year; rating input score 100; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 17% per year; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings