The WMN Foundation concentrates its giving on advancing women's economic security and opportunity in Minnesota while also supporting select higher-education athletics programming. Its largest known commitment is a major campaign grant to the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, signaling a preference for statewide advocacy and programmatic initiatives that benefit women and girls. The foundation makes few, relatively large grants rather than many small awards.
Concentrated giving with very few but sizable grants; primary emphasis on one flagship statewide women’s organization with occasional single grants to higher-education programs. No evidence of frequent repeat grantees in the provided data.
Wmn Foundation’s largest recent commitment is a $250,000 campaign grant to the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota for Women Thriving, Minnesota Rising, which points to a clear emphasis on women’s economic security and statewide advocacy. The foundation’s recent giving also includes support for higher-education athletics and recreation, alongside grants to arts, public media, and community organizations. That combination suggests a funder that backs both women-focused policy and program work and institution-based support at selected colleges and universities. The pattern is visible in the mix of recipients: Northwestern University received grants for its Department of Athletics and Recreation, including a separate award for women’s tennis, while the Kellogg School of Management and Breck School also appear in the record. In Minnesota, Wmn Foundation has supported groups such as Alia, Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Public Radio, and the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota itself. The foundation’s recent awards are often in the low-thousands to tens of thousands, with a few larger commitments standing out in 2024. Its giving reflects a narrow set of priorities rather than a broad open-ended portfolio.
Women’s economic opportunity is the clearest thread in Wmn Foundation’s grantmaking. A $250,000 award to the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota funded the campaign Women Thriving, Minnesota Rising, and a separate $10,000 grant in 2024 also supported that organization’s general operations. The foundation also supports advocacy and policy work. It gave $5,000 to Planned Parenthood North Central States in 2024 for general operating support and another $5,000 to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for general operating support. In Minnesota, Fairvote Minnesota Foundation received $5,000 for general operating support. A third area is athletics and student support. Northwestern University received $68,019 for the Department of Athletics and Recreation, $20,063 for general operating support, and $1,000 for women’s tennis. The foundation also gave $20,000 to Breck School for general operating support, indicating interest in institution-based programming as well as athletics.
Wmn Foundation’s grant sizes cluster at the low end of its overall portfolio, with a p25 of $1,000, a median of $3,000, and a p75 of $7,458. The record shows a small number of larger awards, but most gifts are modest and targeted. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Alia, Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Planned Parenthood North Central States, Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Groves Learning Organization, Inner City Tennis Foundation, and Grand Teton National Park Foundation. It is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$481K
$1.3M
$275K
$482K
Most grants fall between $1K and $7K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$7K
About 61% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Notable grantees: Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, Northwestern University (Department of Athletics and Recreation)
Wmn Foundation gives regionally, with 60% of grants going to recipients in Minnesota. Minneapolis and St. Paul appear repeatedly, alongside St. Louis Park. Outside Minnesota, recipient locations include Evanston, New York, Washington, Mountain View, and Moose, and all recorded grants in the dataset went to U.S. organizations. The top state by grant count is New York, reflecting that the foundation’s giving reaches beyond its Minnesota headquarters.
Its clearest focus is women’s economic security and opportunity in Minnesota, especially through statewide campaign and advocacy support. Recent grants also include higher-education athletics and recreation, women’s tennis, and selected operating support for institutions and community organizations.
The typical grant size is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $3,000 at the median, and $7,458 at the 75th percentile. That points to a portfolio built around relatively modest awards, with a few much larger grants.
Yes. The record shows repeat support for Alia, Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Planned Parenthood North Central States, Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Groves Learning Organization, Inner City Tennis Foundation, and Grand Teton National Park Foundation across 2023 and 2024.
Minnesota receives most of the grants, with 60% going to recipients in the state. At the same time, the top state by grant count is New York, showing that the foundation’s giving extends beyond Minnesota.
It has funded Northwestern University’s Department of Athletics and Recreation with $68,019 and provided an additional $1,000 for women’s tennis. Breck School also received $20,000 for general operating support, placing athletics and student programming within its broader institutional support.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Foundation of Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN | $250,000 | 2024 | Campaign: Women Thriving, Minnesota Rising |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $68,019 | 2024 | Department of Athletics and Recreation |
| Guthrie Theater | Minneapolis, MN | $35,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Minnesota Public Radio | Saint Paul, MN | $25,442 | 2024 | Glen Nelson Center |
| ALIA | St Paul, MN | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | $20,063 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Kellogg School of Management | EVANSTON, IL | $10,001 | 2024 | Kellogg School of Management General Operating Support |
| WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA | Minneapolis, MN | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FAIRVOTE MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | ST PAUL, MN | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD NORTH CENTRAL STATES | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GROVES LEARNING ORGANIZATION | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | $3,000 | 2024 | Give to the Max Day |
| INNER CITY TENNIS FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION | MOOSE, WY | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE LINK | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| The Mountain School | Vershire, VT | $1,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | $1,000 | 2024 | Women's Tennis - General Operating Support |
| PROJECT SUCCESS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALIA | St Paul, MN | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BRECK SCHOOL | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| Kellogg School of Management | EVANSTON, IL | $9,916 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| POSITIVE COACHING ALLIANCE | MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GROVES LEARNING ORGANIZATION | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD NORTH CENTRAL STATES | NEW YORK, NY | $3,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION | MOOSE, WY | $2,500 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INNER CITY TENNIS FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,500 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MILKWEED EDITIONS INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | EDINA, MN | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ADVOCATES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,000 | 2023 | WATCH COURT OBSERVATION |
| FAIRVOTE MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | ST PAUL, MN | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PROJECT SUCCESS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $1,000 | 2023 | Women's Tennis - General Operating Support |
| SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA | ST PAUL, MN | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE LINK | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WOMEN'S SPORTS FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HIGHPOINT CENTER FOR PRINTMAKING | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PLAYWRIGHTS CENTER INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTHWESTERN WOMENS BOARD | EVANSTON, IL | $100 | 2023 | Women's Board - Scholarships |
| Kellogg School of Management | EVANSTON, IL | $84 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
Women's Foundation of Minnesota
$250,000Campaign: Women Thriving, Minnesota Rising
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
$68,019Department of Athletics and Recreation
Guthrie Theater
$35,000General Operating Support
Minnesota Public Radio
$25,442Glen Nelson Center
ALIA
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
Northwestern University
$20,063General Operating Support
Kellogg School of Management
$10,001Kellogg School of Management General Operating Support
WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FAIRVOTE MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PLANNED PARENTHOOD NORTH CENTRAL STATES
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GROVES LEARNING ORGANIZATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
University of Minnesota Foundation
$3,000Give to the Max Day
INNER CITY TENNIS FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE LINK
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
The Mountain School
$1,000General Operating Support
Northwestern University
$1,000Women's Tennis - General Operating Support
PROJECT SUCCESS
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ALIA
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BRECK SCHOOL
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
Kellogg School of Management
$9,916GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
POSITIVE COACHING ALLIANCE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GROVES LEARNING ORGANIZATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PLANNED PARENTHOOD NORTH CENTRAL STATES
$3,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
INNER CITY TENNIS FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MILKWEED EDITIONS INC
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHILDREN'S MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ADVOCATES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
$1,000WATCH COURT OBSERVATION
FAIRVOTE MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PROJECT SUCCESS
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
$1,000Women's Tennis - General Operating Support
SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE LINK
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WOMEN'S SPORTS FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HIGHPOINT CENTER FOR PRINTMAKING
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PLAYWRIGHTS CENTER INC
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NORTHWESTERN WOMENS BOARD
$100Women's Board - Scholarships
Kellogg School of Management
$84GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT