Founded in 1866, the WCA Foundation was the first benevolent nonprofit organization in Minnesota. Now a Signature Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation, WCA makes grants to a diverse group of nonprofit human service agencies and programs, stewarding an endowment of approximately $18 million.
WCA is run by up to 40 volunteer members, all women. Members are responsible for investigating grant requests and making award recommendations to the foundation’s board.
The WCA Foundation funds organizations in the seven-county metro area that address the fundamental needs of women in the areas of education, economic stability, shelter, safety, and health. This group holds one annual open grant round offering project-specific support. In 2024, they also launched an invite-only, multi-year general operating support grant program.
Members of WCA are organized into three grantmaking departments that are named for three of our founders – Kate Dunwoody, Mabeth Paige, and Mahala Fisk Pillsbury. Members’ primary responsibilities are to review grant applications, conduct site visits, and make funding recommendations.
Individuals interested in becoming members can contact Julia Ruther at jruther@mplsfoundation.org. She will forward your name to the WCA Membership Committee, and a committee member will contact you to share more about joining WCA.
