Safety
Safety is the underpinning of our ability to thrive. We catalyze the conditions so that women, girls, and gender-expansive people are free from all forms of violence and can be safe and well at home, school, and in their communities.
Through research, policy, grantmaking, and narrative change, we make strategic, innovative investments in more just systems, policies, and programs to increase and enhance services, prevention, policy, education and mobilization to improve safety and well-being.
What the Data Shows
Women Experience Violence in Minnesota
Analysis of the CDC data estimates that 704,000 Minnesota women in 2015 were survivors of violence. The data also shows that only a small fraction of these women report physical or sexual violence.
704,000 women in Minnesota were estimated to be survivors of violence (2015 CDC data estimates)
One in two Minnesota women report sexual violence from an intimate partner at some point during her life.
One in four Minnesota women report physical violence from an intimate partner at some point in her life.
Native Women Face Violence at Alarming Rates
More than 85 percent of native women experience violence and 56 percent experience sexual violence in their lifetimes – a 20 percent greater likelihood compared to white women.
Native women in Minnesota are murdered at a rate 7x that of white women
Black women in Minnesota are murdered at a rate 2.7x higher than white women
More than 25 percent of Native girls have attempted suicide – far greater than Native boys or teens of any other cultural group.
Sexuality and Gender Identity Affect Safety
Fifty-one percent of LGBTQ+ people say they or an LGTBTQ+ family member or friend have been sexually harassed because of their sexual or gender identity.
Three times as many lesbian girls and transgender or nonbinary MN students in 8th, 9th, and 11th grade report running away from home or living in a shelter on their own as their straight, cisgendered counterparts.
Our Policy Investments
“We have to consider root causes of historical trauma, systemic racism, sexual objectification of Black women, and the vulnerabilities that poverty, homelessness, child welfare disparities, domestic violence, sex trafficking, and fear of law enforcement create.”
Representative Ruth Richardson
Mendota Heights (52B)
Grantee-Partners Make an Impact
With investments from WFMN, Esperanza United facilitates youth programming that promotes healthy relationships and sexuality while mobilizing Latinas and Latin@ communities to end gender-based violence.
Related Funds & Research
We strive to create strategic, innovative investments to increase and enhance services, prevention, policy, and education to improve safety and well-being.
Latest Updates in Safety
Jul 7, 2023
You Belong Here in Minnesota: A WFM x OutFront Pride Dialog Series
Jun 9, 2023
2023 Legislative Session Concludes with Historic Wins for Gender & Racial Justice
Mar 17, 2023
Reward Fund to Find Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives
To address the disproportionate violence against Indigenous women, a new bill aims to bring resources to the Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives.
Our Statewide Impact
Interactive Grants Map
Discover more about Women’s Foundation grantee-partners, statewide. Click on the icon in the upper right of the map to expand the legend and see other options for viewing. Use the drop-down menu in the legend to filter grantee-partners by fund, location, or impact area.
View a larger version of WFMN Grantee-Partner map created with eSpatial mapping software.
Explore Ways to Give
Your support fuels the innovative community-based, community-led work happening across the state. Explore our funding opportunities.