Skip to main content Skip to accessibility controls

THE AURA FUND FOR WOMEN

2025-2026 GOAL: 50 members, $50,000+ Grant

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.

Our model is simple: we combine each member’s $1,000 donation with others to create a meaningful grant. We meet as a group once in the spring to discuss our finalists: organizations vetted by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota that support economic justice. Each woman votes and together we choose a grant recipient.

HELP US REACH THIS YEAR’S
GOAL OF 50 DONORS

Your $1,000 donation to the AURA Fund will:

  • Contribute to the well-being of local families in need
  • Support innovative organizations advancing economic justice in Minnesota
  • Help us reach our goal of awarding a significant grant
  • Reserve your seat at the table as we choose this year’s nonprofit

Why now?

  • 100% of your $1,000 donation goes directly to grantmaking
  • Your gift is tax-deductible through WFM
  • We offer easy ways to donate, including payment plans
  • Early commitments help us plan our grant size
  • Government grants are dwindling and resources are scarce
  • Now more than ever, our local community needs our support

MAKE AN IMPACT

How the AURA Fund works

Each woman donates $1,000

Together, we review high-impact local nonprofits

A meaningful grant is awarded towards economic justice

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.

GET INVOLVED

Become a Member

Our grants are possible
only with the support of
our $1,000 donors

Become a MEMBER

Become a Sponsor

Sponsorships build our
funds and bring women
into our grantmaking
process

Become a Sponsor

Become a Supporter

Gifts at every level go
directly towards
economic justice in our community

BECOME A SUPPORTER

BECOME A MEMBER

With the AURA Fund’s collective giving model, your $1,000 tax-deductible membership, combined with others, is what allows us to create meaningful grants. As a member, you will take part in our
spring grant review and have a vote in choosing our recipient. As an
all-volunteer organization, we do not have staff or office-related
costs, but we ask donors to help cover operating expenses with an
annual $150 membership fee.

You can donate via credit card, debit card, or DAF. We also offer monthly payment plans.

Become a Member

Our membership drive is open now!

Annual Commitment

$1,000

Grant Donation (Tax-Deductible)

$150

Membership Fee

BECOME A SUPPORTER

Not ready to become a member, but want to support the work we’re doing? We
are grateful for financial donations of any amount; it all goes towards creating
meaningful nonprofit grants! We also welcome resources donated for our events —
just contact us to discuss opportunities.

Become a Supporter

ABOUT OUR GRANTS

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 so your organization can be reviewed.

Our Annual Giving Cycle

*Dates may shift. Please contact AuraFund@wfmn.org with questions.

  • July: Fund Year Open | Donor Drive Begins
  • Early November: Kick-off Event
  • Late November: Nonprofit Organizations Invited to Apply
  • Mid-January: Grant Applications Due, Grant Amount Finalized
  • February – March: WFM Application Review | Finalists Determined
  • April: Finalist Review Event | Donor Voting + Grant Presentation

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

AURA Fund: What’s in Our Name?

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.

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