About the Alliance

The Winona Area Nonprofit Alliance (WANA) is a large, vibrant gathering and network of over 50 of Winona’s nonprofit organizations of all sizes to collaborate on programs and services, network and share resources, and maximize community impact.

The group is able to build close relationships among members through regular gatherings and events, shares resources, provides mentoring and professional development, and aligns nonprofits’ work to best serve Winona and the surrounding communities.

Alliance members range from small arts and civic organizations without full-time staff to large human services and education organizations with hundreds of employees. The Winona Community Foundation provides oversight and administration, with a team of Winona nonprofit leaders guiding the group’s vision and activities, and is guided by a leadership team chosen by full membership.

Want to join the Alliance? Membership is just $50 a year, or $25 for nonprofits without full-time staff.

Nonprofit Roundtable Workshop 03 - Winona Community Foundation
Nonprofit Roundtable Workshop 01 - Winona Community Foundation
Nonprofit Roundtable Meeting 01 - Winona Community Foundation
Nonprofit Roundtable June 2019 Grsf - Winona Community Foundation

Alliance members began gathering in 2017 to address the nonprofit community’s needs after the closure of the United Way. The group has since met regularly at partner nonprofits, hosted more than a dozen professional development events, teamed up on collaborative programs and services, shared office and meeting space, and more.

A generous grant from the Otto Bremer Trust in 2020 allowed the Alliance to create a new and expanded vision, build a leadership team and organizational structure, and come under the umbrella of the Community Foundation.

Want to join the Alliance? Membership is just $50 a year, or $25 for nonprofits without full-time staff.

Membership includes monthly two-hour gatherings per year, shared communication, professional development, relationships, collaboration, resource and knowledge sharing, and a spot on our Winona Gives page and Nonprofit Directory, and more!

Ready to join? Contact us at wcf@winonacf.org.

Wcf Nonprofitalliance 1 - Winona Community Foundation

Questions?

Winona Community Foundation
wcf@winonacf.org
507-454-6511

What Does the Membership Include?

  • Gatherings
    The Winona Nonprofit Alliance Roundtable gathers monthly:

    • January, March, May, July, September and November: Meetings take place the second Wednesday from 8 AM – 10 AM. The location for the gatherings rotates among member organizations.
    • February, April, June, August, October and December: Meetings take place the third Wednesday from 4:30 PM – 6 PM. The location for the gatherings rotates among local businesses and are more informal.

    What does a meeting look like?

    First hour: Opportunity to share organization needs and events.
    Second hour: Professional development training provided by a visiting expert on topics chosen by alliance members.

  • A spot on our Winona Gives page and Nonprofit Directory

  • Lunch-and-Learn Series
    These gatherings occur when local and regional experts present and network to the Alliance. Past visitors have included: Otto Bremer Trust, Bush Foundation, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Charities Review Council and more.

  • Board Development
    If level of interest permits, the alliance leadership team may plan a half-day board development training, provided at-cost for all members and board-of-directors. The alliance also provides regular opportunities and resources to help members train and develop their board.

  • Shared Communication
    Members have access to an email distribution list. This opportunity allows them to promote opportunities, ask questions and share resources. Members also have personal contact info for Alliance organizations.

  • Professional Development
    Members receive training and skill-building in topics they choose: fundraising, marketing, leadership, human resources, and more!

  • Relationships
    The Alliance is the largest and only gathering of nonprofits in the Winona area. Get to know your nonprofit community! Members are able to build relationships, share expertise and knowledge, ask questions, celebrate successes, commiserate shared challenges, and support each other.

  • Collaborations
    There’s no better place to find someone to team up with on your next grant or program, community event, or other opportunity! Alliance members regularly share programming, meeting space, materials and resources.

  • Resource Sharing
    Alliance members regularly share and donate meeting space, supplies, materials, and other physical resources.

  • Knowledge
    Whether it’s the inside scoop on what local philanthropists are looking to fund, the needs and challenges the Winona community is facing, or first looks at upcoming trends and issues, the Alliance ensures you’re the first to know.

Alliance Leadership Team