Winona Gives

The Advocacy Center of Winona is dedicated to empowering victims/survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Our mission is to create a safer community by eliminating sexual and domestic violence. We focus on advocating for and supporting survivors Our primary focus is to ensure the safety of all survivors. Our services include crisis advocacy and direct support, coordinating community resources, legal advocacy, accompaniment/intervention, emergency shelter and relocation. All services are free of charge.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the 7 Rivers Region is a youth mentoring organization that works to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and the promise of the youth in our community. Donations to our program are used to grow our program, conduct thorough background checks, and provide meaningful support and resources to our families. BBBS7 is 100% donor and volunteer funded. With the state of the world, mentorship is more important than it has ever been.

The mission of the Benedictine Foundation Winona is to enhance the lives of the residents of Benedictine Saint Anne, Benedictine Callista Court and clients of Benedictine Adult Day Center by providing additional services, equipment and specialized services that may not otherwise be available except for the charitable gifts shared by our donors.

Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota serves the poor and marginalized, advocates for social justice, and calls all people to the ministry of Christ.

Chamber Mission: To serve businesses how and when they need us. Chamber Vision: Be the foremost resource and advocate for businesses in the Winona area.

More than 900 students are enrolled from ages 16 months to grade 12. Cotter serves students via day student and boarding programs. Our students come from the city of Winona, the surrounding towns, and from many countries around the world. Our students engage in academic study, faith-centered experiences, and athletic and arts activities. Cotter Schools relies on support from generous donors to continue offering a wide array of opportunities for our students in a 21st century learning environment.

To address a growing need for emergency funds and assistance, the Winona Community Foundation Board of Directors established the COVID-19 Relief Fund to work with partner agencies to provide financial resources to individuals in an emergency. The longer it takes for our community to emerge from this pandemic, the more individuals and families will experience financial hardship. Please donate today!

The Winona County Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) was first established on September 3, 1963. We provide day services to individuals with developmental disabilities that honor our mission which is, to foster interdependence of individuals with the community. The Winona DAC provides individualized programs that are designed to enable people to do constructive, meaningful work, earn paychecks, and pay their bills; improve communication and social skills; and enhance their lives through recreational, social, and physical activities.

Elder Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1988 in Rochester Minnesota, now serving Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona Counties. Educational offerings and support groups are open to anyone that would like to attend. Elder Network has developed nine non-medical programs that support seniors and their caregivers. We collaborate with other organizations so that we are able to support seniors and their caregivers whether we do the service or whether we refer them to an organization that provides the services such as Senior Advocacy, Education, Support Groups, Companion Services, Respite Care In-Home, Friendly Visitors, Technology Assistance, and Medical and Non-Medical Transportation.

Engage Winona helps residents drive community change through civic engagement and changemaking. We're seeking support for Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a mutual aid project providing support and resources to Winona residents during COVID-19 - including coordinating more than 10,000 homemade masks!

FCC offers more than 30 programs in seven regional locations in southwestern Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota. Our services work to prevent child abuse, help individuals achieve recovery from serious mental illness & substance abuse, find healthy and stable homes for children whose parents can no longer care for them, and keep youth on track for graduation. We believe that helping to resolve problems where they occur results in greater long-term success and improved individual well-being.

The WSU Foundation exists to raise funds, steward them in perpetuity, and distribute them in ways that collaboratively support the mission of the University. We recognize those who give, and we advocate for the University to the public. The WSU Foundation is the number one source of external support for the University. We achieve this by: 1) showing an abiding interest in and appreciation for WSU and all that it does. 2) cultivating special relationships with donors who give at the highest level.

The Frozen River Film Festival (FRFF) is the sole documentary-only film festival in Minnesota. Filmmakers across the globe submit films for consideration to FRFF every year, and films are screened in February for both locals and visitors during the Festival. FRFF offers films that engage, educate and activate viewers, often inspiring them to become involved in their community. These films provide unique perspectives on adventure travel, sports, environmental issues, human interest stories, and diverse cultures while showcasing the art of documentary film. Part of the Winona community for over 15 years, this year FRFF will be offering its first virtual festival (February 10-14, 2021).

The Winona Friendship Center provides members age 55 and over with programming and services to enhance the quality of their lives. WFC is currently fundraising to purchase technology for virtual programming (webcam and hotspots), a printer, nursing exam table, exercise stretch bands and pool cues. They also accept donations to sponsor memberships and programming for individuals who cannot afford their services.

To meet a large need for short term and transitional shelter options, Grace Place purchased a home that needs renovations to adhere to building codes for license requirements. We are hoping to raise $5,000 for these needed renovations.

Great River Shakespeare Festival solicits charitable contributions to support the artistic and education programs of the organization. Ticket sales and tuition cover less than 35% of the expenditures needed to create professional level programs in our rural community. $628,000 needs to be raised from all philanthropic sources by September 30 each year.

Celebrating 25 years in the community, HFH is a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities, and hope. Every purchase from the Habitat ReStore supports this mission and helps make our work possible. We are currently partnering with a local family of 6 to build house #52.

HCO provides support to children and adults with developmental disabilities in southeastern Minnesota’s Winona County and the surrounding area. Services are designed to meet the physical needs of those that we serve, to build skills of independence, provide support to families/caregivers, and address any social, behavioral, or medical challenges that they might be facing. Funds raised by HCO are used to address unmet costs for basic human needs, accessible equipment, program development, etc.

Hope Harbor equips teens, empowers parents, and serves those in need by anchoring them to the hope of God’s promises. We transform lives through a cohesive program including education, biblical counsel, life skills and spiritual growth all focused on restoration to the family unit. We operate only through donations and families paying tuition. No family pays the full tuition, thus the need for philanthropic support.

Hope Lutheran's mission is to preserve and extend the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Help us complete our new educational building by donating to our capital campaign to complete classroom space, build a gym and fellowship hall.

HVMHC was founded in 1965 to bring community-based mental health services to communities and breaking down barriers to access services. The organization has kept these core values at the forefront and over the past 50 years has expanded services into Fillmore, Houston, Goodhue, Wabasha and Winona counties. Everything done at the organization can be attributed to its mission; the community leader in delivering exceptional, responsive and consumer focused behavioral health services in our communities.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is available in Winona County to children ages 0-5. Participating children receive a hand-selected, age-appropriate, high-quality book each month, free of cost in the mail.

Live Well Winona continues to honor its’ mission, vision and core values through community support and collaboration. Our existence relies on private donors, community contracts, grants and fundraising efforts to keep our business viable. Join us in our efforts as we continue to improve lives.

MMAM is a non-profit and we rely on generous support from donors, members, and grants to provide unique arts programming, display and house great art inspired by water, and welcome a growing number of visitors of all ages and abilities. Thank you for considering supporting, or if you like nautical puns as much as us - ‘buoying,’ your art museum.

Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is a community arts school that inspires, educates and nurtures students of all ages through high quality dance classes, music lessons, art workshops, theatre camps, performances, and more. Donations help us provide financial assistance for arts education and shape our community outreach programs in collaboration with over 50 partners including Home & Community Options, Project FINE, Elder Network, Winona Friendship Center, Winona Public Library, River Valley Girl Scouts, and 4-H. Thanks to donor and grant support we are able to provide access to the arts to over 14,000 community members each year.

Bluffview Montessori School is a public charter school that follows the teaching methods and philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. As a charter school, we are an independent public school district that is governed and operated jointly by licensed teachers, parents and community members. Bluffview happens to be the first public Montessori School in the nation.

Winona Volunteer Services (WVS) is a standalone non-profit incorporated in 1973 to increase the coordination of volunteer projects in Winona County. Today, WVS’s mission is to help people address life’s challenges in a respectful and dignified manner. We do this by providing direct services to individuals through our Coordinated Assistance Program, Food Programs, Home Delivered Meals, Nutrition Education, The Clothes Shop and various holiday projects. Less than 3% of our revenue comes from state and federal government so community support is essential for our programs.

The WOC is raising money to create an affordable equipment rental shop. The rental shop will reduce financial barriers that make accessing outdoor recreation difficult for many. The rental shop will also allow the WOC to provide free equipment during monthly meet-ups to all participants. These meet-ups are intended to provide an opportunity for Winona residents to try something new while also building a strong community around nature that supports a more inclusive outdoors.

The Museum’s roots stretch back to 1979, when the focus was preserving the artifacts and stories that were quickly being lost. We not only display our collections, but are working diligently to enhance the visitor experience so as to provide the context necessary to understand key museum pieces. In the end, no matter your cultural background, we hope you value your heritage and respect your ancestors’ journeys.

The Winona County Primary Prevention Program aims to to stop sexual and domestic violence in Winona County using the “Spectrum of Prevention”: Support Winona County coalitions and foster networks, promote education in our communities, educate providers/professionals and promote safe organizational practices. Educate public policy and legislation makers and strengthen individual knowledge and skills. Contact Helen for more information: 507-454-4677.

River Arts Alliance focuses on arts education and support for local arts and culture. RAA works directly with artists and regional arts organizations through promotion and collaboration. RAA sponsors Family Art Day, the Winona Art Walk, and the HBC Fence mural, A History of Communication, in Levee Park. The RAA website includes a community arts calendar, artists’ webpages, and links to arts organizations’ websites. RAA offers a weekly e-newsletter that promotes our members as well as opportunities to everyone. Donations help fund our projects and operations.

Riverway Learning Community is a tuition-free, Minnesota public charter school authorized by Osprey Wilds, an environmental learning center in Sandstone, Minnesota. Riverway serves students in pre-primary through twelfth grade in a Montessori and PBL philosophy with an emphasis on individualized learning, environmental education. The "River-way" of learning offers educational opportunities that provide a supportive learning environment that enhances self-worth, creativity, and responsibility. RLC students develop new skills and a sense of empowerment as they take ownership of their education.

Ready Set School needs your help. Winona County families are facing unprecedented financial and emotional losses, and our local nonprofit is seeing the impact of this burden firsthand. Ready Set School works to ensure all eligible K-12 students in Winona County have the basic and necessary supplies and clothing for school. In the 2020-2021 school year, 1,100 Winona County students requested vouchers which was a 36.7% increase from 2019. Please consider donating to Ready Set School during this time.

Semcac is a nonprofit, Community Action agency, established in 1966. Community Action is a movement focused on the alleviation of poverty. Our programs are focused on Semcac’s mission, to empower and advocate for people to enhance their self-sufficiency by maximizing community resources. Semcac serves people in the southeastern Minnesota counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Steele and Winona. Some of our programs include Head Start, Senior Nutrition, Transportation, Semcac Clinic, Housing, Weatherization, Homelessness Prevention, Food Shelves and more.

Team Vogel vs. Cancer is a group of volunteer people connected in a fight against cancer. Since 2010 we have been supporting families in the Winona area who are fighting cancer, local cancer research, and area hospital cancer patient support programs.

The Storm Trail Race Series is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that holds events to encourage people of all abilities to get outdoors and to enjoy the beautiful local trails in Southeast Minnesota. The fundraising that is done at our events and a portion of the profits are donated to local youth mental health programs.

The Winona County Historical Society was founded in 1935 and is dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of Winona County. As a community driven organization WCHS has over 1400 members and 60 business partners. With three museums, The Winona County History Center, Historic Bunnell House, and Rural Heritage Museum, and a wide variety of programs, exhibitions, classes, and events, the WCHS strives to celebrate the communities of Winona County. Preserve the future of our past and heritage with a gift to WCHS or contact staff about special sponsorship opportunities.

The Winona Family YMCA is an inclusive nonprofit organization that builds and strengthens the community by bringing people together. We change lives through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Because of people like you, we are able to provide opportunities that improve our community's health and well-being, provide activities that bring families closer together, and offer programs that empower young people to find success. Your generous support keeps the Y available for those who need us most.