Thank You - and Until Next Time

Dear Donors and Supporters of the Women’s Leadership Fund,

We launched the Women’s Leadership Fund in 2017 because we saw a lack of support for women business leaders and entrepreneurs in Central Minnesota.

Over the last 5 years, you’ve helped touch the lives of +250 women in our community. As we look around at the landscape today, we see several new efforts that are helping women leaders. These efforts are funded by larger organizations and supported by full-time staff who can do this great work day-in and day-out.

Because we at WLF are all volunteers, and because these new efforts are doing wonderful, transformative things for women in our region, our board has decided to dissolve the Women’s Leadership Fund.

We are immensely proud of WLF’s impact, which wouldn’t be possible without YOU:

  • The WeLead Cohorts, which supported, challenged and encouraged women leaders and entrepreneurs for two years.
  • The popular WeConnect virtual sessions that were quickly launched during the COVID-19 quarantine period, which tackled topics such as race, equity and leadership.
  • Our sponsorships and grants, including: Red Ribbon Consulting’s InspireHer Conference, AAUW Brainerd for sending a young leader to the national conference, a full scholarship for a BOLD Camper, and the Women’s Business Alliance Masterminds.
  • The She Leads pitch event – a unique opportunity for women entrepreneurs to get one-on-one feedback and help with their business.

We want to say a special thank you to the Initiative Foundation, whose Partner Fund Program allowed us to spin up WLF quickly and easily, and to get to work! Thank you to our friends and supporters there. We are granting part of our remaining funds to the Initiative Foundation to support women leaders, so rest assured that your donations will continue serving women leaders in our area.

If you’re looking to connect with aligned resources in our area, here are just a few:

The She Leads event last month was a huge success. So many women from across the state came together to learn and support each other. We couldn’t be prouder of ending WLF on this very high note.

On behalf of us and the other members of our board – Julie, Jessica, Jill and Barb – thank you for impacting so many women in rural Central Minnesota. Each of us is committed to staying involved in efforts that fuel women leaders’ growth, creativity and economic impact!

If you have any questions, please reach out to either of us!

Until next time,

Kristi and Maria
Co-founders and co-chairs
Women’s Leadership Fund