2026 Annual Meeting Recap
On Tuesday, May 12th, GIVING WoMN celebrated our class of 2026 Grant Recipients. The 2026 GIVING WoMN Annual Meeting, "Together We Give," was a powerful and inspiring celebration of 21 years of collective philanthropy, bringing members and guests together for an evening of connection, reflection, and impact at Pinstripes in Edina. The night began with a warm and welcoming social hour with great food, beverages and conversation. This set the tone for a night of meaningful engagement and shared purpose. As the formal program opened our Co-Presidents Jody O'Neil and Susan Seiler highlighted the organization's mission, reminding everyone in attendance of the profound difference that can be made when individuals come together around a common cause.
The central and highly inspirational part of the evening was the presentation of the eight, 2026 Grant Recipients, each representing critical work across the community. From addressing hygiene poverty and youth homelessness to advancing early childhood education, workforce readiness and support for underserved populations, the stories shared by these organizations were both eye-opening and inspiring. Attendees saw firsthand how GIVING WoMN's record-breaking $177,000 in grants, and more than $2.5 million awarded over the past 21 years, translates into tangible change in people's lives. These presentations not only highlighted the breadth of need but also reinforced the power of collective giving to fuel innovative solutions and expand opportunity across the Twin Cities. The continuation of the presentations also announced the opening of the 2027 grant cycle. Nominations closed on Friday, June 26.
Overall, the evening left a lasting impression of pride, gratitude and renewed commitment. It was a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the dedication of members, recognize new and legacy contributors, and reflect on the organization's incredible growth and impact. The energy in the room was unmistakable, uplifting, motivating and deeply inspiring, reminding all in attendance that their contributions are part of something much larger. As the night concluded and conversations continued, there was a shared sense that the work of GIVING WoMN is not only making a difference today but is building momentum for even greater impact in the years ahead.
