Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota
When Black, Indigenous, and young women of color thrive, all young women, families and communities thrive.
What is the Young Women’s 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 three key focus areas:
Economic Opportunity
Ensuring a Minnesota where doors to economic opportunity are abundant and open to all girls and women in every community, and pathways to prosperity assured.
Safety
Ensuring a Minnesota where all girls and women are free from all forms of violence and can experience their homes, schools, and communities as safe places.
Leadership
Ensuring a Minnesota where barriers to leadership are eliminated and all girls and women are respected and thrive.
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 different ways you can make a charitable contribution, contact: Stacy Papier-Meister, Associate Director of Advancement, at stacy@wfmn.org or 612.236.1827
Our Collaborations
Amplifying YWI Voices for Transformation
WFMN and #SHARETHEMICMN are launching a three-month collaboration to amplify the work, lives, and stories of the Young Women’s Initiative and the brilliant young Black, Indigenous, and women of color leading in Minnesota today.
Story of Impact
New 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.
Story of Impact
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.
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.
“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
You Can Make a Difference
Join the Young Women’s Initiative and
contribute now.