THE AURA FUND FOR WOMEN
Formerly Impact100 Twin Cities
Our Mission
Advancing causes and initiatives that empower women and communities
Uplifting individuals and organizations through financial support and resources.
Resilience through investing in sustainable solutions with long-term impact.
Advocacy for economic and social justice, equality, and systemic change through collective giving.
MAKE AN IMPACT
How the AURA Fund works
100+ women come together
Each donates $1,000
$100,000 is donated to a local nonprofit
We’ve seen this model work; the impact of women’s collective giving is transforming communities around the country. After our first year as Impact100 Twin Cities, we are honored to partner with the Women’s Fund of Minnesota, and in doing so, becoming The AURA Fund for Women. This partnership unlocks a wealth of resources and knowledge, and aligns with our commitment to learning about the needs within our community – and using our power to amplify the voices and work of Twin Cities nonprofits.
GET INVOLVED
Become a Donor
Connect with other women to amplify your voice, investment, and impact.
Become a Sponsor
Join a group of organizations dedicated to advancing the AURA Fund vision.
Apply for a Grant
Find our more about our grant process for nonprofits and how to apply.
BECOME A DONOR
Join our group of women who care deeply, dream wildly, and believe that together, we are an unstoppable force for good.
The AURA Fund was created to bring together women who are ready to invest in change – learning more about our community and helping to fund programs that make a difference in the lives of women and children.
Membership Information
With the AURA Fund’s collective giving model, your $1,000 tax-deductible donation, combined with others, allows us to create meaningful grants. Every donor is important, and allows AURA to fund more grants. As an all-volunteer organization, we do not have staff or office-related costs, but we do ask donors to help cover operating expenses with an annual $150 membership fee.
Alongside grantmaking, we are committed to sharing our platform with nonprofit speakers to educate our members on the pressing challenges within our community. Throughout the year, we’ll host quarterly events to bring together our donors, and learn more about the needs of our community. Each spring, the cycle will culminate as we award grants to deserving local nonprofits. As a donor, you have a vote in the nonprofits we choose to support.
You may use your donor advised fund (DAF) to support AURA. Simply notify your DAF administrator to recommend a grant to AURA Fund c/o Women’s Foundation of Minnesota.
The 2025 membership drive is open now!
Annual Commitment
$1,000
Grant Donation (Tax-Deductible)
$150
Membership Fee
BECOME A SPONSOR
Join a group of organizations that are dedicating funds or resources to advance the AURA Fund vision.
We welcome sponsorships from businesses – local, state and national – to support our giving activities, which range from website management to member recruitment and events.
Sponsors support programming, special events, and scholarships.
APPLY FOR A GRANT
The AURA Fund focuses our grantmaking on economic justice – supporting systems that provide equal opportunities for everyone to thrive. The goal is to establish a stable foundation that allows all people to live dignified, creative, and productive lives, free from basic needs and concerns. We believe that a fairer economy will be more successful, and that prosperity and equity go hand in hand.
We work with the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota to identify and vet potential nonprofits that are aligned with our mission. We also welcome nonprofit recommendations from our members. For more information, contact AuraFund@wfmn.org.
Grant Requirements
AURA Fund prioritizes regional nonprofits working on economic justice – supporting systems that provide equal opportunities for everyone to thrive. If you are interested in being considered for our invite-only grants, contact us by November 8th so your organization can be reviewed.
Key Dates
*Dates may shift. Please contact AuraFund@wfmn.org with questions.
- July 31, 2024: Donor Drive Kick-off | 2025 Fund Year Open
- November 7: Reveal Event | Grant Amount Announced
- November 27: Organizations Invited to Apply
- January 15, 2025: Grant Applications Due
- January 24: Application Review Workshop | Finalists Selection (optional Donor event)
- February 27: Grant Finalists Event | Finalist Presentations + Donor Vote to Follow
- March 12: Award Announcement
Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, 2024 $100,000 grant recipient
“With this funding, we will be able to scale our Women’s Wealth & Equity Building program to reach more women in our community, providing them with resources and education that have the potential to truly change lives, break down barriers to financial independence, stabilize families, and allow our clients to envision more for themselves and their children.”
— Valerie Stevenson, Interim Executive Director
In the Media
KARE 11: Nonprofit awards $100,000 to Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
Twin Cities Business: Impact100 Twin Cities Distributes First Grant Round
Contact
Email: AuraFund@wfmn.org