WINGS provides Northfield women and youth with the financial resources they need to fly
WINGSto soar
Women In Northfield Giving Support (WINGS) is an organization in Northfield, Minnesota, working to support programs and initiatives dedicated to serving women and youth.
Get to Know WINGS
A Mission to Improve the Lives of Women and Youth
Women In Northfield Giving Support (WINGS) was founded in 2000 by three women, with a mission to improve the lives of women and youth in the Northfield area through pooled investments and resources. WINGS donates 90 percent of those pooled resources back into the community.
WINGS is just one of the local, community-led organizations the Saint Paul & Minnesota supports through our Community Affiliates program. These foundations grant thousands of dollars to their communities by utilizing some of the tools and resources we provide to help them carry out their vision.
“ Northfield is extremely lucky to have a broad array of nonprofits that can help provide services and be a help to women and youth in the community. I think it’s those underlying needs that most people aren’t aware of that WINGS helps to address.”
Jacqui Dorsey, former WINGS president
Snapshots
Making a Difference in the Community
One of the organizations that has benefited from WINGS’ work is Northfield Union of Youth (NUY). NUY is one of a few organizations in the country with a board composed completely of youth, giving young people the power to make decisions about the issues that affect them the most. NUY runs a youth center, called “The Key,” that provides adolescents and teens in Northfield with the skills they need to be healthy and successful adults.
“Everything we do is through youth voice and is youth-informed,” said former executive director Emily Fulton-Foley.
Thanks to support from WINGS, NUY is able to implement initiatives that help more than 300 youth a year, including mental health support, housing and food programming.
This blog post was published March 11, 2020 and updated on January 6, 2025.
“ Teaching women how to be effective philanthropists is a really important part of WINGS’ mission. We want to expand the number of women in philanthropy and educate women to be effective philanthropists.”
Margit Johnson, former WINGS president
More Stories
Emma Norton Services: Over a Century of Transformative Housing
Today we are announcing the search for the next leader of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.
See the impact
Juana Garcia: Celebrating Cultural Traditions Through Dance
Dance can often be about getting lost in the music, but it also can be a part of cultural traditions. In the case of Juana (Jaynie) Garcia it's been a way for her to connect her Mexican heritage, introducing it to others in the city of Willmar.
See the project
Rondo's Heartbeat: The Enduring Impact of Hallie Q. Brown Community Center
Learn how this community center has served as a safe haven for generations in Saint Paul.
Watch the video
Drumming for Unity: A Vision for Community Change
Created by John Salgado Maldonado, Cimarrón Batucada uses the art of drumming to address social justice issues and promote cross-cultural community engagement.
See the project
Announcing Our New Strategic Plan
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation launches our strategic plan for the next five years. Watch our video to see our aspiration, purpose and key strategies.
Watch the video
We’ve Moved
On January 21, 2025, the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation relocated to Osborn370, a dynamic hub of innovation and diversity in downtown Saint Paul.
Read about our move
From Lab to Stage: Kenji Shoemaker's Unique Path in Theater
There’s a unique art and science to prop and stage design. These skills helped former scientist Kenji Shoemaker switch careers, showcasing his talents behind the curtains.
See the project
Open Arms of Minnesota: Delivering Hope, One Meal at a Time
Learn how one organization is changing lives with medically tailored meals.
Watch the video