The Willmar Area Community Foundation administers a variety of funds for individuals and organizations throughout the region. They fall into seven categories, including field of interest, donor advised, designated, scholarship, unrestricted, agency and special project.
The Willmar Area Women’s Fund helps fund and fuel the work of our partner organizations Safe Avenues, Lutheran Social Services and the Kandiyohi County Human Trafficking Task Force. These organizations work to stop sexual exploitation, assist victims and prevent the occurrence of exploitation locally. The goal of the Women's Fund is to raise funds, broaden awareness and support training around trauma-sensitive care so our partner organizations can continue to make an even bigger impact on sexual exploitation in Kandiyohi County.
Our Mission
The mission of the Willmar Area Women’s Fund is to support and enhance the lives of women and girls facing challenges in the Kandiyohi County area.
Our Vision
The strategic vision of the Willmar Area Women’s Fund is to empower girls and women and enable them to find their voice and gain control.
2017 Willmar Area Community Foundation Innovative Impact Award Recipient
Recent Grants By the Willmar Area Women's Fund
2022
$15,000 has been granted to Lutheran Social Services, Project Turnabout and Kandiyohi Family Services to expand training and build Trauma Informed Care capacity to organizations serving children, youth and families impacted by trauma.
2021
$2,000 to Greater Minnesota Shelter Care – trauma-informed care training to support our youth
$10,000 to Kandiyohi County Health and Human Services and PACT 4 Families Collaborative – trust-based relational support training
$5,000 to Project Turnabout – trauma-informed care training lunch and learn
$20,000 to Safe Avenues – community outreach and awareness efforts for the prevention of sexual exploitation
$5,000 to Foster Stitches – help set up a store for families to ‘shop’ for needed clothing for the foster children, at no cost to the families
2020
$30,000 to Safe Avenues: Safe Dates Training
$20,000 to Safe Avenues to assist exploitation victims
$19,300 to four local organizations to expand reach to include trauma informed care training and awareness building efforts.
2019
$42,000 to Safe Avenues: Safe Dates Educator
2018
$94,300 to Safe Avenues: KHTTF Coordinator & Safe Dates Educator
$3,000 to Safe Avenues: Hotel Vouchers to Support Human Trafficking Victims
2017
$2,000 to Safe Avenues: Hotel Vouchers to Support Human Trafficking Victims
$2,000 to Lutheran Social Services: Hotel Vouchers to Support Homeless Youth Programs
$23,000 to Safe Avenues: Assisting Victims of Sex Trafficking and Exploitation
$48,180 to Safe Avenues: Kandiyohi County Human Trafficking Task Force Coordinator
2016
$28,000 to Safe Avenues: Assisting Victims of Sexual Trafficking and Exploitation
2015
$6,806 to Lutheran Social Services: Youth Street Outreach in Kandiyohi County