2025 Winter Event Recap
On Saturday, February 22, 2025, GIVING WoMN gathered members, grantees and community partners for an inspiring Winter Event dedicated to celebrating collective philanthropy and the organizations making a difference in our region.
Spotlight on Community Partners
Attendees heard from past GIVING WoMN grant recipients Cornerstone Advocacy Services and Groveland Emergency Food Shelf. Courtney Poja, Senior Director of Advancement at Cornerstone Advocacy Services, who shared Cornerstone’s mission to disrupt violence through advocacy, support, and prevention. Courtney shared Cornerstone’s history, the urgent need for their services and the broad range of programs offered—from emergency shelter to economic empowerment and youth programming. The event also featured Sharon Abel, Executive Director of Groveland Emergency Food Shelf. Groveland’s mission is to provide emergency food assistance to those in need, ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry.
Grantmaking in Action
The GIVING WoMN Grants Committee, represented by Susan Seiler and Beth Kipling, provided an overview of the grantmaking process. Members learned about the rigorous steps involved—from nominations and letters of intent to full proposals, site visits and final voting. The committee’s guiding principle is to fund impactful projects in health, education and human services that address pressing, unmet needs in the Twin Cities community.
Grants Committee Co-Chairs, Beth Kipling and Susan Seiler unveil the 2025 grant recipients
Celebrating 2025 Grantees
This year, GIVING WoMN awarded $172,000 in grants to seven outstanding organizations:
The Reel Hope Project – General Operating Funds ($30,000)
Black Men Teach – General Operating Funds ($27,000)
Assistance League of MSP – Assault Survivor Kits Program ($26,000)
Open Cupboard – Today’s Harvest ($24,000)
The Grief Club of Minnesota – General Operating Funds ($23,000)
St. David’s Center for Child & Family Development – Early Assessment & Short-Term Support Program ($21,000)
CornerHouse – General Operating Funds ($21,000)
This brings GIVING WoMN’s total community impact to over $2.3 million across 127 grants—and growing!
