Young Women’s
Initiative of
Minnesota
When Black, Indigenous, and young women of color thrive, all young women, families and communities thrive.
About the Initiative
We’re on a mission to create a Minnesota where every young woman thrives.
Our Young Women’s Initiative aims to eliminate the barriers young women face and center and engage those most impacted by those barriers to create long-term solutions. Together, we can work towards eliminating disparities so that all young women in our state can thrive.
The Young Women’s Initiative is designed and led by and for young women and spans across four key focus areas:
Economic Justice
To realize economic justice and a stronger Minnesota for families and communities, we invest in women and girls as key drivers of economic growth.
Leadership & Community Power
Our vision is a state where all women, girls, and gender-expansive people are valued as solution-builders and leaders within their communities.
Holistic Well-Being & Reproductive Justice
To support the mind, body, and spirit of women, we catalyze the conditions to ensure they are well in every area of their being.
Safety
We catalyze the conditions so that women, girls, and gender-expansive people are free from all forms of violence and can be safe at home, school, and in their communities.
Our Future is on the Line
Will you be part of this transformation?
Join with other passionate Minnesotans and who believe in the vision and power of young women. Your investment in our campaign today will help us reach our $10 million goal and help build pathways to economic opportunity for young women, improve their safety and well-being, and promote a state of leadership with and for young women.
For more information on the ways you can make a charitable contribution, contact: Stacy Papier-Meister, Associate Director of Advancement, at stacy@wfmn.org or 612.236.1827
WFMN Innovator Hilal Ibrahim Leads Culture Change
Hilal Ibrahim leads culture change through her social enterprise company, Henna and Hijabs (H&H) and is one example of why WFMN invests in young women leaders to drive systems change for whole community well-being.
Innovators are Leading Today
What happens when we invest directly in young women who are creating change now? The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota (WFMN) believes that directly funding the vision and leadership of young women of color brings us closer to creating a state where all people can thrive.
Report: Safe, Surviving, and Thriving
Since the onset of COVID-19, the Young Women’s Cabinet have been actively supporting, organizing, and sharing resources in our community. See more about their report and response to address immediate needs and long-term solutions.
“What do I need to thrive? I need support more than anything. It’s what makes an authentic leader. I think that with support, giving it and receiving it, we can change the world together.”
Alexis Murillo
WFMN Innovator
How it Works
A New Statewide Model to Create Equity
Launched by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota in partnership with the Governor’s Office in 2016, the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota is a multi-year, multi-million-dollar investment that centers the leadership and solutions of young women of color, American Indian young women, young women from Greater Minnesota, LGBTQ+ youth, and young women with disabilities.
Take a deep dive into the research, structure and purpose of the Young Women’s Initiative and why the time is now to support young women in Minnesota.
You Can Make a Difference