Check back often for upcoming events!

Twin Ports Women’S Foundation Grant Recipients

2020
Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center – $8,293.50
Duluth Area Family YMCA – $8,293.50

2021
American Indian Community Housing Organization (AIHCO) – $6,743.71
Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank – $6,743.71

2022
Union Gospel Mission – $6,029.95
Bob Tavani House for Medical Respite – $6,029.95

2023
First Witness Child Advocacy Center – $6,446.28
CHOICE Unlimited – $6,446.28

2024
Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center – $4,659.73
Age Well Arrowhead – $2,829.86
Music Resource Center – $2,829.86

Check back often for upcoming events!

November 2023 Newsletter

Membership Event

September 25th – At Sara’s Table Chester Creek Cafe

Generous Women. Great Conversation. Fine Food. Charming Atmosphere.

All of this and more was found at the TPWF Membership Event at Sara’s Table Chester Creek Cafe on September 25th. We convened in the upper level Sky Room and treated ourselves to an assortment of relished Chester Creek Cafe appetizers! Those in attendance included current members as well as prospective members joining us to learn more about the Foundation. By night’s end, two women expressed their sincere interest in becoming newly active members!

TPWF’s lifeline is our members! We enjoy holding Membership Events as a way to show appreciation for your generosity and a means for like-minded women to stay connected and learn about collaborative giving. The conversations, sharing and laughter throughout the room was both rewarding and inspiring for the board members. Hearing how TPWF grants have impacted organizations that are near and dear to your heart means something to us. Hearing how hard you work to serve others and sustain non-profits is inspiring for us to keep going and growing – more members, more grants, more impact.

Thank you to ALL members! We appreciate every one of you! Look for our next Membership Event in the Spring, 2024! We hope to see you there!!


New Feature

Online Payment

Effective November 15th TPWF members will be able to pay membership dues via a secure online payment process on the St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation website.

  • Go To – www.spmcf.org
  • Go To DonorView
  • Click on GIVE NOW
  • Select ‘View More Giving Opportunities’
  • Search for Twin Ports Women Foundation
  • Add to Cart – Enter $ Amount
  • Save & Checkout Using Your Choice of Credit Payment

Welcome New MemberDeyona Kirk

Deyona Kirk

I was googling the Women Foundation one evening searching for the foundation in the cities and the Twin Ports Women’s Foundation appeared in my search. I went to the website and was impressed by the collective effort strategy of giving and the previous award recipients. I love to give and serve my community and the amount to be a member of the Twin Ports Women Foundation was an amount I could afford.

As someone driven by a fervent passion for community service, particularly in advocating for BIPOC individuals, this foundation resonated deeply with me. I’m the nonprofit founder of Divine Konnections Inc and have worked in the nonprofit and affordable housing arena for over 27 years so I understand the importance of contributions of funding from foundations to nonprofit organizations. This time instead of applying for funding from the foundation I wanted to be a part of funding other incredible organizations in our community who are doing life changing work everyday. So I became a member of this amazing local women’s foundation.


BOARD MEMBER RESIGNATIONS

Twin Ports Women’s Foundation sadly announces the resignation of two board members – Lynnea Emerson and Michelle Siljendahl.

Lynnea was a founding member of TPWF; Michelle has served for about two years. Their contributions to the foundation’s establishment and growth have been proactive, professional and plentiful. They will be missed!

Our gratitude goes out to them and we wish them the best in their future endeavors.


BOARD MEMBER OPENINGS

Positions on the Twin Ports Women Foundation Board of Directors are available! If you are interested in being involved with a progressive, empowering and community oriented organization, please contact Denise Bussa at

dwbussa@gmail.com


JULIE ZARUBA FOUNTAINE

I hope this message finds you well. I am excited to share my experience with the Twin Ports Women’s Foundation and shed light on what makes this organization so special to me.

When I first learned about Twin Ports Women’s Foundation, I was immediately drawn to its mission of empowering and supporting our community. I am a well- being specialist and small business owner. In my day-to-day work, I am often reminded of the needs of our community. The commitment to fostering positive change through grantmaking, education, and collaboration resonated deeply with me. I was a member for the first year then joined the Board as I wanted to be more involved with the TPWF.

What attracted me most was the foundation’s dedication to addressing the unique challenges faced in the Twin Ports region. The focus on creating opportunities for non-profits to thrive spoke volumes to me. It’s not just about charity; it’s about creating sustainable, lasting change that uplifts the entire community.

One of the aspects that sets TPWF apart is its emphasis on collaboration. Being part of this foundation means being part of a network of individuals who want to make a positive collective difference.

Personally, TPWF has provided opportunities to connect with inspiring women, participate in events, and contribute to impactful projects.

For those considering joining the Twin Ports Women’s Foundation, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to take that step. Whether you are passionate about community development or simply want to be part of a group that is actively making a difference, TPWF offers a purpose-driven experience.

I am grateful for the experiences, connections, and opportunities this foundation has brought into my life, and I am excited for the journey ahead.


Renewal Dues Reminder

Membership renewal is due by December 15, 2023.

PAYMENT CAN BE MADE BY —
Secure Online Payment Portal
Go To – www.spmcf.org
Note: This option is available November 15th. See Page 2 in this Newsletter!

OR

Check donations can be sent to:
Twin Ports Women’s Foundation
c/o St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation
101 Fifth Street E., Suite 2400
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101

The Twin Ports Women’s Foundation ????s a part of the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.


TWIN PORTS WOMEN’S FOUNDATION 2023 BOARD

Chair: Denise Bussa
Treasurer: Lynda John
Secretary & Grants: Julie Zaruba Fountaine
Board Members: Robin Brown, Laura Weintraub

Check back often for upcoming events!

Celebrate Good Times!

Date: May 15, 2023 5:00 pm

- 7:00 pm

Location: Lyric Kitchen · Bar, West Superior Street, Duluth

Join Us!

The TPWF is planning a celebration for you as a member and our grant award winners. We are hosting the 4th Annual Celebration! Please feel free to bring a friend.

During the celebration, we will recognize the organizations that received our grants:

  • Choice Unlimited
  • First Witness

Lyric Kitchen & Bar on Superior StreetPlease come to our grant award celebration

Monday, May 15, 2023

5 pm to 7 pm

Lyric Kitchen Bar

205 West Superior St,
Duluth, MN 55802

We will serve appetizers and there will a cash bar available.

Don’t forget to wear your membership pin! If you do not have one membership pins will be available for you to pick up during the ceremony.

We will continually work on making this the best philanthropic women’s organization it can be. We welcome input to the board as well as additional board members.

Check back often for upcoming events!

2021 Grant Award Recipient Announcement

The Twin Ports Women’s Foundation, an all-volunteer organization that looks to strengthen the Twin Ports community through collective giving and increasing charitable donations in our region, is delighted to announce the recipients of their 2021 Grant Awards: AICHO (American Indian Community Housing Organization) and Second Harvest Food Bank. Each organization will be gifted more than $6,700 to help meet the basic needs of people who are struggling financially during this difficult pandemic. This is TPWF’s second year awarding grants to local charitable organizations nominated and voted on by its membership. The 2020 Grant Award winners during the TPWF’s inaugural year included Safe Have and the Duluth Area YMCA. Members of the Twin Ports Women’s Foundation will celebrate AICHO and Second Harvest Food Bank on Monday, April 12, 2021 at a virtual grant award celebration.

Twin Ports Women’s Foundation is an all-volunteer organization which relies on the skills and talents of its members. We strive to be an inclusive, diverse organization of women who will grow as knowledgeable philanthropists in supporting our local nonprofits. Our purpose is to strengthen the Twin Ports community through collective giving and increasing charitable donations in our region, to promote women’s leadership in philanthropy and to engage and educate our membership.