You must be a woman at least 21 years old. Members pledge to donate $550 annually for 2 years. All members are encouraged to choose their own level of involvement. Some members simply like knowing that their donation will be put to good use in the community, others may want to participate in an educational opportunity and some may want to be part of the review process and choosing the finalists. Regardless of your level of participation, all members are given the opportunity to vote for the grant recipients.

The Twin Ports Women’s Foundation is a diverse group of women who contribute $550 annually to maintain their membership in any given year.

As women, we lead busy lives, but are we busy making an impact? This is your opportunity to come together with other women to award a nonprofit organization a transformative grant that makes a lasting impact on our community.

We communicate with our members by email and we may also send communications by U.S. mail.

Yes. Contributions are tax-deductible for the year in which the donation was made. The Twin Ports Women’s Foundation is a part of the St. Paul and Minnesota Community Foundation which is a 501(c)(3) organization.

No. Twin Ports Women’s Foundation’s founding principle is “one woman, one vote”.

A portion of your annual commitment of $550 covers operational and membership expenses. $500 of the donation is dedicated to our yearly grants. The remaining $50 goes to support the administrative costs (website, mailings, professional services, etc.). Any additional donations above $550 a member opt to donate will be added to granting funds.

No. There are no residency requirements for membership.

We welcome women to join at any time during the year, and those whose membership donation is paid by December 31st are eligible to vote on the following year’s grant recipients. Those who choose to join after this deadline are still considered full members, are welcome to attend the Awards Luncheon in the latter part of the year, and can participate in other events.

Yes. But we hope you can make it! Before the annual awards celebration, members receive information on each finalist. Included in this information will be an absentee ballot and instructions on how to cast your vote before the meeting if you’re unable to attend.

Yes. However, membership becomes effective and voting rights accrue when the entire $550 is received by the Twin Ports Women’s Foundation, no later than December 31. Additionally, membership accrues only to the individual. Companies will not receive any voting or other membership rights. Remember that each company has its own funding cycle and deadlines.

Yes! We accept online and credit card contributions, however, an administrative fee may be charged for the service.

Yes, as an all-volunteer organization, we greatly appreciate additional donations. The funds will be used to add to any grants we make less a 10% administrative fee; and while your donation does not provide you with voting or participatory rights, it helps ensure that 100% of each member’s $500 donation is used to fund the grants.

Yes, the Twin Ports Women’s Foundation welcomes sponsored members. If you wish to sponsor a family member or friend, we will register the donation in their name and they will receive all the benefits of membership.

Men are welcome to become Friends of the Twin Ports Women’s Foundation. Men may donate on behalf of the women in their lives so that those women can become members. Donations may be made in honor or memory of an individual.

The Twin Ports Women’s Foundation offers education events including an annual meeting where the current grant recipients are introduced to members. These events are free for Twin Ports Women’s Foundation members.

The Twin Ports Women’s Foundation does not limit grant making to women and girls as beneficiaries. We look for critical needs, new ventures and innovative approaches to solving problems. The grants committee, open to any interested members, thoroughly evaluates grant proposals and selects up to ten projects for the ballot. The amount of money available to award from the Twin Ports Women’s Foundation is determined by the funds collected by the end of the year. The projects selected for funding reflect the diverse interests of the membership.