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WISE Council

Your clients are asking where to give — and they want their dollars to go somewhere local, vetted, and values-aligned. The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota’s Wealth and Impact for Social Equity (WISE) Council is designed to strengthen how financial professionals guide clients on charitable giving – by providing practice tools, local context, and a peer community that supports confident, values-aligned conversations.

Who WISE Is For

The WISE Council is for women and allies in financial services who advise clients on charitable giving and want stronger frameworks, community insight, and a peer network. This cohort-based professional development program equips participants with the data and resources they need to guide clients toward philanthropy that truly reflects their values. Attendees gain sharper advising skills and membership in a community that extends long beyond the cohort. The program is designed to be practical and discussion-driven: it’s focused on real client scenarios, rather than a lecture-only format.

What You’ll Learn

  • Ways to use data to better understand the nonprofit ecosystem and the benefits of investing in Minnesota women and girls. 
  • Approaches to evaluating nonprofit organizations for impact and alignment with client values. 
  • Strategies for helping your clients connect with organizations doing transformative justice work. 
  • Tools for using key frameworks, such as trust-based philanthropy, to shape client conversations.

What You’ll Gain

  • A repeatable model for values-based philanthropic conversations with clients.
  • A practical approach to evaluating nonprofit alignment and impact.
  • A peer network and ongoing connection to the Women’s Foundation community for continued learning and referrals.

2027 WISE Council Application Process

Application Period and Notification:

Applications for the 2027 WISE Council are open from July 15 – August 31, 2026. Applicants will receive an email about their decision status no later than October 1, 2026. 

Program Fee: 

The fee to participate in the WISE Council is $500. Program fees will help the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota offset the costs of running the program; they will also cover all sessions, materials, food, and beverages during the 2027 cohort. If the program fee is a barrier to your participation, please contact lauren@wfmn.org for more information. 

Session Dates:

The tentative 2027 cohort session dates and times are as follows:

  • Session 1: January 20, 2027, 1:30 – 4:30 PM 
  • Session 2: February 18, 2027, 1:30 – 4:30 PM 
  • Session 3: April 7, 2027, 8 AM – 11:30 AM
  • Graduation: May 25, 2027, 4:30 – 6 PM 

Questions?

If you have questions about the overall program, how to apply, or the status of your application, please reach out to Lauren Kramer, Senior Partnership and Events Officer at the Women’s Foundation: lauren@wfmn.org.