Proceeds
Where do the proceeds go, you ask?
90% of the proceeds go to a local beneficiary here in Minnesota
Organization History
In 1980, women representing twenty-five organizations banded together to create the Minnesota Women’s Consortium (MWC) To disseminate information pertaining to women in Minnesota. MWC began by hosting informational meetings, distributing a newsletter, and providing office space to emerging organizations. We have since become the largest statewide network of women and gender-focused groups in the nation, with 150 member organizations.
In 1987, MWC purchased and renovated the Minnesota Women’s Building with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota. The partners succeeded in raising almost $3 million for a second major building rehabilitation, which was completed in 2007. Now, MWC sublets office space to 11 organizations and makes meeting space available to dozens of organizations — all at below - market rates in order to build the organizational and leadership capacity for groups and individuals focused on social change.
MWC is the largest statewide network of organizations and individuals working to achieve equality and justice for women and girls in the country. Our members, diverse in background, worldview, and interest, illustrate our commitment to the intersectionality of oppression and justice as well as the value of collaborative leadership. A sample of these interests includes: economic justice, domestic violence prevention, women's political participation, development of leadership skills, and more.
Mission and goals
MWC works hard to carry out our mission of achieving equality and justice for all women and girls by connecting organizations and individuals that share those goals. We follow a joint agenda created by our members including parity and equity in leadership, health care for everyone, self-determination, peace and safety, and economic justice. Our goals include:
Current Programs and Activities
Over its 33 years, the Consortium has established and refined a number of programs, services, and resources that advance the status of women and girls in Minnesota. These programs include but are not limited to:
Leadership Development
Public Policy & Advocacy
MWC takes leadership on public policy issues by empowering women to advocate for themselves on issues that are pertinent to their lives. Examples of this include:
Member Services
MWC increases the resources available to women by offering unique services and communications networks.
Other information
The Minnesota Women's Consortium works with 150 organizations serving or advocating for women and girls in Minnesota. Our members represent communities diverse in background, worldview, and interest, illustrating the intersectionality of oppression and justice as well as the value of collective leadership. A sampling of these interests and organizations include organizations committed to economic justice such as Women’s Initiative for Self-Empowerment and Women Venture or organizations committed to racial justice such as Refugee and Immigrant Women for Change and the YWCA of St. Paul.
There are no organizations like the Minnesota Women’s Consortium. We are unique in serving as the “connective tissue” for all organizations working on women’s issues, whether they are large or small; focused on direct service, advocacy, or leadership development; and whether they concentrate on one issue (like breast cancer or pay equity) or a wide range of issues. No other organization serves the unique role of fostering collaboration between organizations and building the leadership capacity of women and girls in Minnesota.
We operate with a typical nonprofit structure of board, staff, and volunteers. We presently have two staff, a work study student, and two unpaid college interns, who work hard to multiply the power and voices of our members through communicating and coordinating activities like those described above. The Consortium currently has 15 board members. The board is made up of delegates from 11 member organizations, two members-at-large, a member emerita, and a non-voting past chair. In the past 12 months, we have been very grateful for the help of 53 volunteers.
In 1980, women representing twenty-five organizations banded together to create the Minnesota Women’s Consortium (MWC) To disseminate information pertaining to women in Minnesota. MWC began by hosting informational meetings, distributing a newsletter, and providing office space to emerging organizations. We have since become the largest statewide network of women and gender-focused groups in the nation, with 150 member organizations.
In 1987, MWC purchased and renovated the Minnesota Women’s Building with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota. The partners succeeded in raising almost $3 million for a second major building rehabilitation, which was completed in 2007. Now, MWC sublets office space to 11 organizations and makes meeting space available to dozens of organizations — all at below - market rates in order to build the organizational and leadership capacity for groups and individuals focused on social change.
MWC is the largest statewide network of organizations and individuals working to achieve equality and justice for women and girls in the country. Our members, diverse in background, worldview, and interest, illustrate our commitment to the intersectionality of oppression and justice as well as the value of collaborative leadership. A sample of these interests includes: economic justice, domestic violence prevention, women's political participation, development of leadership skills, and more.
Mission and goals
MWC works hard to carry out our mission of achieving equality and justice for all women and girls by connecting organizations and individuals that share those goals. We follow a joint agenda created by our members including parity and equity in leadership, health care for everyone, self-determination, peace and safety, and economic justice. Our goals include:
- The delivery of member services that build the individual and organizational capacity of our members.
- Collaborative public policy and advocacy leadership in order To shift attitudes and barriers that prevent women and girls from fulfilling their full potential.
- Leadership development that provides women and girls with the skills, knowledge, and opportunity to advance their status in Minnesota.
Current Programs and Activities
Over its 33 years, the Consortium has established and refined a number of programs, services, and resources that advance the status of women and girls in Minnesota. These programs include but are not limited to:
Leadership Development
- Internship Program: The Consortium hosts 8 to 12 interns per year from colleges and universities across the country. Our internship program provides emerging leaders an opportunity to network, develop hands on skills, and impact their communities through social justice work.
- Girls Rock! the Capitol: We host an annual leadership and civic engagement program for girls ages 13-18 called Girls Rock! the Capitol. This event is an opportunity for girls to learn about state government, how to debate issues, and have their voices heard by public officials. We reach an average of 60 girls a year through this program and plan to expand by hosting Girls Rock! City Hall in Rochester this summer.
- Organizational & Professional Development: We host a number of workshops that help staff and volunteers from our member organizations build and refine their leadership skills in fundraising, media representation, conflict resolution, and more.
Public Policy & Advocacy
MWC takes leadership on public policy issues by empowering women to advocate for themselves on issues that are pertinent to their lives. Examples of this include:
- Women’s Policy Summit: This annual event brings public policy leaders to the Capitol to discuss the issues that are important to them and strengthen ties with legislators. During the Summit, leaders from our member organizations deliver a Women’s Legislative Platform to elected officials.
- Legislative tracking and reporting: We also track, analyze, and report on legislative and social issues that are affecting women in order to provide Minnesota women access to information that affects their social and economic status and empower them to take informed action on the issues.
Member Services
MWC increases the resources available to women by offering unique services and communications networks.
- Promotion: We publish a quarterly hard copy newsletter, a bi-weekly email newsletter, and regular reports on issues impacting women, all designed to promote member groups.
- Education: These same publications inform readers of current issues and opportunities for leadership.
- Resource and referral: Staff responds to and takes appropriate action on requests for speakers, referrals to resources, ideas for fundraising, possible board members, and many other needs of member groups and community members.
- Other services: MWC provides fiscal agency, office space, and advising to emerging organizations.
- Silent Witness Initiative: The Women’s Consortium coordinates the Silent Witness Initiative in Minnesota. For more information about this project, visit www.mnwomen.org.
Other information
The Minnesota Women's Consortium works with 150 organizations serving or advocating for women and girls in Minnesota. Our members represent communities diverse in background, worldview, and interest, illustrating the intersectionality of oppression and justice as well as the value of collective leadership. A sampling of these interests and organizations include organizations committed to economic justice such as Women’s Initiative for Self-Empowerment and Women Venture or organizations committed to racial justice such as Refugee and Immigrant Women for Change and the YWCA of St. Paul.
There are no organizations like the Minnesota Women’s Consortium. We are unique in serving as the “connective tissue” for all organizations working on women’s issues, whether they are large or small; focused on direct service, advocacy, or leadership development; and whether they concentrate on one issue (like breast cancer or pay equity) or a wide range of issues. No other organization serves the unique role of fostering collaboration between organizations and building the leadership capacity of women and girls in Minnesota.
We operate with a typical nonprofit structure of board, staff, and volunteers. We presently have two staff, a work study student, and two unpaid college interns, who work hard to multiply the power and voices of our members through communicating and coordinating activities like those described above. The Consortium currently has 15 board members. The board is made up of delegates from 11 member organizations, two members-at-large, a member emerita, and a non-voting past chair. In the past 12 months, we have been very grateful for the help of 53 volunteers.
the remaining 10% of the proceeds go to: v-day's spotlight campaign