The Winona Nonprofit Alliance has moved under the umbrella of the Winona Community Foundation, and launched the Alliance’s first major project: A new online giving portal, Winona Gives.
At Winona Gives (www.winonacf.org/winonagives), residents can learn more about and give directly to their favorite area nonprofits, with many appealing for donations for urgent COVID-19 programs and services.
“With the tremendous local outpouring of support, we know how much the people of Winona want to help neighbors who are struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of that generosity has already been felt by so many,” said Amanda Hedlund, the executive director of Habitat For Humanity of Winona-Fillmore Counties and the Alliance’s first president.
“Our hope is that our new website will simplify giving by bringing the nonprofit response together under one umbrella,” Hedlund said.
The Alliance brings together more than 40 of Winona’s nonprofits to collaborate on programs and services, reduce gaps and overlaps in services, and share resources. The Alliance gathers regularly, and hosts training and events like its annual How to Be a Rock Star Board member for new and experienced nonprofit board members.
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 Foundation provides oversight and administration, with a team of Winona nonprofit leaders managing the group’s vision and activities.
“The Winona Community Foundation is pleased to bring in the Alliance as one of our key projects,” said Foundation executive director Nancy Brown. “The Foundation works closely with so many nonprofits already, and we were uniquely positioned to provide support and oversight to the group. This is an exciting venture for all involved.”
Alliance members began gathering as the Nonprofit Roundtable in 2017, a group facilitated by Engage Winona to address the nonprofit community’s needs after the closure of the United Way. A generous grant from the Otto Bremer Trust allowed the Alliance this year to create a new and expanded vision, build a leadership team and organizational structure, and enter into a sustaining partnership with the Community Foundation.
To learn more about the Alliance and its work, and to join if you’re a local nonprofit, visit www.winonacf.org/nonprofitalliance. Follow the Alliance on social media on Facebook (/winonanonprofitalliance), Instagram (@winonanonprofitalliance) and Twitter @WinonaAlliance.
