All About Us
But we want to know about you, too!
What is GIVING WoMN?
GIVING WoMN (GW) is a women’s collective giving circle made up of generous spirits who support our Twin Cities community. We pool our annual membership contributions each year and award that money as grants to community nonprofits in health, education, and human services. We educate and develop effective givers through our year-round educational efforts and member-led grant-making process.
Who is GIVING WoMN?
GIVING WoMN is comprised of our board, our members, our grantees and our collaborators.
Our Board
Our Leadership — A Board That Works!
GW directors are part of a unique partnership, a Working Board. Our Board of Directors don’t just go to meetings, direct policy and approve new actions, they make things happen. From publishing our newsletters to deciding on the menu for an Eye Opener, our board members roll up their sleeves and get things done!
Directors serve a renewable two-year term, often serving with an experienced co-chair so roles overlap. GW welcomes any member to bring their skills to the table and self-nominate for Board positions. If you have a little time and talent to share, join the board!
The Board of Directors includes:
Jody O’Neil & Susan Seiler
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The GIVING WoMN Co-Presidents provide leadership and direction for the organization and take the lead on strategic planning, board effectiveness and work with the treasurer for fiscal oversight. They are the key liaison with our national affiliate, Philanos.
Jan Dick
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The Vice President collaborates with the president in running the organization. She coordinates board meetings and materials; creates the perpetual calendar, and is accountable for the nomination process of new board members.
Beth Beck
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The Treasurer prepares and manages the annual budget for the organization. She maintains the member roster, oversees the annual membership process and is the primary liaison with our funding agent, The St Paul & Minnesota Foundation.
Sandie Berger
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The Secretary keeps records of the proceedings of the board and is accountable to oversee and update the by-laws and standing rules. She supports key strategic initiatives as assigned.
Brandy Gerth
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The Communications Chair creates and publishes all member-facing communications to include the newsletters (11 per year), invitations, ballots, social media and the GW website. They take leadership on public relations and outward facing communication about the organization.
Julie Vanhove & Jesi Peters
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The E&E Chair plans and oversees all in-person and virtual events for GW members. She oversees the E & E committee, event planning process and collaborates with the Communications Chair for announcements and RSVPs.
Beth Kipling & Rebecca Duvick
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Grants Co-Chairs manage the organization and activities of the annual grants process and the grants committee. They ensure the integrity of the annual nominations, due diligence and grants voting process as well as oversee all communications with prospective grantees throughout the cycle.
Susan Dowd
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The Grantee Relations Chair owns the on-going relationship with current and past grantees, ensures on-going support and visibility to the organizations and manages the Grantee Fellowship process for the current year.
Kathy Heafey
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The Membership Chair oversees planning and activities to support member recruitment and member retention. She coordinates the bi-annual membership survey process and is accountable for new member on-boarding.
Our Members
Women with Generous Spirits!
Our members serve as the heart of everything GW does: members contribute to our grant pool, nominate future grantees and choose our grantees each year. They attend educational and social events to learn about needs in our Minnesota home as well as to mingle and meet other generous women.
Our yearly cycle of grantmaking to the community is a simple equation we live by: generous spirits plus events and education equals effective giving. Our grants team thoroughly reviews and vets each prospective grantee to ensure viability and impact.
Our Grantees
Effective Stewards for Our Community
Our grantees span the range from newly established Twin Cities non-profits who might seek operating funds to larger established organizations adding a new program to their organization. All of our grantees operate in the Twin Cities metro counties of: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties and have been nominated to pursue a grant from GW by one of our members.
View our grants to see a timeline of all grantees and grants over the years!
Our Collaborators
Helping Us Learn & Grow
Philanos powers the giving dream for more than 90 giving circles around the globe and encourages 20,000 women philanthropists through education, networking and sharing.
GW helped found Philanos in 2010 and maintains close ties to this vibrant community.
The St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation is the 501(c)3 home for GIVING WoMN. Partners since 2014, the St Paul and Minnesota Foundation houses GW’s Charitable Community Fund, and provides GW with advice and guidance around grantmaking in our Twin Cities community.