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Matriarch Giving Circle

The Matriarch Giving Circle is a coalition of women of color leaders in the Minnesota nonprofit sector who have established a collective fund to provide vital resources to each other, their respective organizations, and the people they serve.

About the Matriarch Giving Circle

Federal and state funding cuts, inaction by community foundations and corporations, and funding institutions’ capitulation to draconian austerity culture have all led to an existential crisis for a critical number of nonprofit organizations. Leaders, in particular women of color, are being forced to drastically cut budgets, lay off staff, and consider ending operations for services and programs that support hundreds of thousands of individuals, children, and families across Minnesota. Without immediate funding relief, the well-being of nonprofits, their staff, and the people they serve will irrevocably change.

With a nonhierarchical structure, the Matriarch Giving Circle intends to provide vital financial resources for women of color executives, the nonprofits they lead, and the rural and Twin Cities communities they serve. In doing so, our movement is leaning into:

  • The belief that matriarchal foundational systems lead to abundance (rather than scarcity) and truly compassionate philanthropy (instead of imbalanced transactional relationships)
  • Understanding that 90% of giving in the United States comes from individuals (not institutions)

Join the Movement

You can become a part of the Matriarch Giving Circle through:

We are grateful for all gifts, regardless of the amount. However, the transformational impact of recurring (monthly) gifts for the movement cannot be understated as they offer us a consistent and predictable revenue stream and flexibility in financial planning and revenue allocation. If you are able, we ask that you please consider donating  $5, $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, or $500 a month.

For More Information

For assistance making a gift to the Matriarch Giving Circle, please contact giving@wfmn.org.

Matriarch Giving Circle Leadership

  • Amira Adawe, The Beauty Well Project
  • Angel Antje, Led by TRUTH
  • Ariana Chamoun, Foster Advocates
  • Georgia Fort, BLCK Press
  • Jennifer Weir, Taiko Arts Midwest
  • Lana Barkawi, Mizna
  • Leslie Barlow, ConFluence & Public Functionary
  • Mable Fae, Next Steps Transitional Nursing
  • Maryanne Quiroz, Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center
  • Megan Smith, Taiko Arts Midwest
  • Niila Hebert, MAVA
  • Osahon Akpata-Tanious, Foster Advocates
  • Sarah Clyne
  • Suyapa Miranda, Prepare+Prosper