Join WFM’s Participatory Grantmaking Committee

Participatory grantmaking offers the opportunity to place the decision-making for funding directly in the hands of community members. The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota (WFM) has engaged in participatory grantmaking since its founding in 1983, with a focus on elevating communities experiencing systemic barriers because they have the expertise to inform solutions.

Every two years, we recruit two new participatory grantmaking committees to make grant decisions at the Women’s Foundation. Now through April 27, we’re accepting applications and want you to join us!

Young women, women, and gender-expansive people with community expertise in leadership and community power, safety, holistic well-being and reproductive justice, and economic justice are invited to share your expertise as a member of WFM’s Participatory Grantmaking Committee.

Eligibility

To ensure a strong grantmaking committee, the Women’s Foundation seeks representation from our programs and communities on each committee. The responsibility of each committee member is to provide thought leadership and community expertise.

Application Closes: Monday, April 27, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Once your application is received, the next step will be to schedule a 15-minute introductory meeting with WFM staff. Scheduling is on a first-come, first-served basis. Instructions for scheduling will be shared right after you submit your application. Please keep these dates and times available to schedule your meeting on one of these dates:

• May 11: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• May 12: 12:30 – 4 p.m.
• May 13: 1:30 – 4 p.m. 

Committee members should:

• Be able to contextualize issues of racial and gender equity through an intersectional lens, and be familiar with WFM Intersectional Equity Framework, Strategic Plan, and Impact Areas
• Understand the current challenges and obstacles relevant to your communities
• Be passionate about serving your community
• Advise staff on community investments
• Be at least 16 years of age
• Be a member of the community, or WFM’s network (grantee-partner, program alumni, donor)
• Be a Minnesota resident

Learn more about the Women’s Foundation ecosystem at wfmn.org/what-is-a-community-foundation/

Learn more about the Intersectional Equity Framework at wfmn.org/what-is-intersectionality/ 

Two Grantmaking Committees

To ensure we have a diverse community perspective, there are two grantmaking committees.

Young Women’s Committee

Helps make grant decisions for WFM’s girlsBEST (Building Economic Success Together) fund, Innovator program, and Reproductive Freedom Fund.

• Program alumni (1-2)
• Previous grantee-partner from the past three years (1-2)
• Community leader, donor-partner, or a young person that is at least 16 years of age (4)
• WFM Trustee or WFM staff (1-2)

*If you are a young person seeking to join this committee, you must be at least 16 years old and a past program participant or apply with a community-based mentor.

Community Power Committee

Helps make grant decisions for We Thrive fund for economic justice, Fund for Safety, and Reproductive Freedom Fund.

• Program Alumni
• Previous grantee-partner from the past three years (1-2)
• Community leader, donor-partner, or family member (4)
• WFM Trustee or WFM staff (1-2)

Committee Term & Important Dates

Grantmaking committee members will serve a two-year term from May 2026 to April 2028. At the end of each term, committee members may recommit for one additional term. Committee members can only serve two consecutive terms (four years).

During the term, committee members will participate in grantmaking training, site visits, and grantmaking days. At this time, meetings will be hosted virtually over Zoom. Each member is required to participate in three grantmaking days and four site visit meetings. Attending trainings and social events is encouraged but not required.

Please save these important dates in advance to ensure you can participate fully if selected.

All grantmaking committees:

• Orientation Day & Training: May 19, 12 – 1:30 p.m. (virtual)
• Summer Social: July 30, 4 – 6 p.m. (in-person at WFM office)
• Reproductive Freedom Fund – Grantmaking Day: February 10, 2027, 5 – 7 p.m.

These dates might change depending on the availability of funds for each grant program. We will do our best to give at least a month’s notice if these dates need to be rescheduled, and we appreciate your flexibility with your time. Dates for the second year of the term will be shared in May 2027.

Commitment

Grantmaking committee members participate on a two-year term with each grantmaking committee. At the end of each term, committee members will have an option to recommit for one more term. Committee members can serve a maximum of two consecutive participatory grantmaking terms (four years). During each term, committee members will participate in grantmaking training, site visits, and grantmaking days.

Benefits

• Payment for participation
• 50 hours of professional development
• Amazing WFM swag
• Access to WFM’s news, events, & social network
• Make innovative investments that drive systems change for gender and racial justice