Inspire

Established in 2002 by twenty area women, the Women’s Fund is a component fund of the Community Foundation promoting regional programs that inspire, empower, and invest in women and girls. It also allows for tax-deductible gifts of all sizes to collectively make an even greater difference in the communities of the middle and upper Red River Valley.

Our mission: to provide ideas, energy, and resources so that women and girls are empowered to achieve economic, social, and political equity. 

Directed by an Advisory Committee of community leaders and philanthropists, the Fund creates options and opportunities for women and girls by:
  • Investing in organizations that create positive change in our communities;
  • Empowering women with training and education provided by the Women’s Fund Leadership Academy; and
  • Inspiring the region to act on the issues and concerns affecting women and girls both today and in the future.

To date, this nearly $700,000 endowment fund has granted over $255,250 to initiatives in the region to support its mission. You can help the Women’s Fund by making a gift to help us reach our goal of $1 million! Plus, gifts of $5,000 or more may qualify for the 40% ND Endowment Tax Credit.

Empower

The Women’s Fund Leadership Academy is a program held each fall that invests in and empowers women leaders residing within Grand Forks County or Polk County. The Academy selects a cohort of 20 applicants to take part in 24-30 hours of free, in-depth leadership training, geared toward personal and professional development. Examples of sessions include the Clifton Strengths Finder assessment, personal brand development, meaningful mentorship, and financial readiness.

Applications open each July. Applicants do not need to have extensive leadership experience. The Academy seeks women who are:
  • Interested in expanding leadership capacity at home, work, or in the community;
  • Eager to build connections across differences;
  • Willing to contribute knowledge to the cohort, offering their own diverse perspectives; and
  • Committed to participating in all sessions.

Invest

The Women’s Fund Grant Program distributes a portion of its endowment funds annually to support nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations throughout the region. Nonprofits can apply for up to $5,000 in funding through the Fund’s competitive grant-making process.

Past grants have supported:
  • Discrete distribution of feminine hygiene products to low-income women and girls;
  • Specialized driver’s education training for refugee (New American) women;
  • Celebrations of women in music to address inequalities within the field;
  • Evidence-based therapy and support for girls to teach positive coping skills; and
  • Adventures for K-12 girls in space and technology, fields in which a distinct gender gap currently exists.

The grant application opens online each July. Awards are made within 4-6 weeks. Grant applicants must fulfill all eligibility criteria, including:
  • Be a nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status or be fiscally sponsored by a nonprofit with such status;
  • Have principal operations in Grand Forks County or Polk County; and
  • Be up-to-date on all reports if a past grant recipient of the Community Foundation.

Preference may be given to new projects or programs and/or new grant applicants.