Educating, Inspiring and Empowering Women Philanthropists

The mission of the Mary M. Jalonick Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) is to educate, inspire, and empower women to become more confident and engaged donors at every stage of their philanthropic journey while connecting them with the needs of the community and the organizations addressing those needs.

In a typical year, WPI meets eight times per year, including a kickoff luncheon and wrap-up meeting, as well as 4-5 site visits to nonprofits in the Dallas-area. “Lunch and Learns” provide an opportunity for members to become educated on how to strategically evaluate a nonprofit, including a review of financial documents and organizational structure, and to hear from a community expert on the overarching focus of the site visits. This strengthens WPI’s process of awarding a grant to a vetted nonprofit, and provides tools for the member’s personal philanthropy.

At the end of the year, the group votes on an agency to receive a grant from the Mary M. Jalonick Women’s Philanthropy Institute Fund held at The Dallas Foundation. Grant money is raised through contributions, which include a required $500 minimum donation per member.

In the past 10 years alone, more than 200 women have participated in institute activities and given more than $36.5 million to the community through their donor advised funds. The institute has also visited dozens of nonprofit organizations.