The Woman's Missionary Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 1995 by the National Woman's Missionary Union under the leadership of Dr. Dellanna O'Brien. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, the Foundation serves as a philanthropic arm supporting Woman's Missionary Union (WMU), Baptist missions, and related causes. The Foundation manages approximately 122 separate funds and endowments totaling over $21.2 million and serves as the investment manager for 24 religious organizations with assets of $23 million under management.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$54.3M
+5.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
-18.1% YoY
Grant Count
32
+3.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
-20.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To engage mission-minded individuals and entities to encourage, motivate, facilitate, and sustain the investment of resources for the benefit of WMU and the causes it supports.
Vision: To further the cause of Christian missions and ensure the financial future of WMU.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Financial support for national Woman's Missionary Union and state WMU organizations
- Scholarships for children of Southern Baptist missionaries (NAMB and IMB) and those pursuing mission work in the U.S. and internationally
- Women's leadership development
- Anti-human trafficking efforts
- Support for specific international Baptist missions organizations and entities
- Biblically-responsible investment management services for WMU organizations, churches, missions organizations, and other Christian groups
The Foundation avoids investments in companies with significant interests in adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or abortion as a means of birth control.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation funds organizations and causes globally, with particular emphasis on:
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Virginia
- International Baptist missions organizations
- Ministry touchpoints in nearly 50 countries through WMU programs
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Most Recent Filing (2023):
- Total Assets: $51,272,265
- Total Revenues: $5,052,056
- Total Expenses: $4,502,010
- Endowments Under Management: $21.2 million (122 separate funds)
- Assets Under Investment Management: $23 million (24 religious organizations)
- Staff: 9 employees
Rating: The Foundation holds a Four-Star rating with a 95% overall score, reflecting strong performance in accountability, finance, culture, and community measures.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $54,288,329 | $51,272,265 | $44,651,931 |
| Revenue | $5,474,153 | $5,052,056 | $3,528,346 |
| Expenses | $3,934,214 | $4,502,010 | $3,497,379 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,252,963 | $1,298,807 | $652,750 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
154 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Woman's Missionary Union Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President: Peggy Darby
- Founder/Established Under Leadership of: Dr. Dellanna O'Brien (former executive director of national WMU)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| COLLINS COMPERE | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| CHERYL HATFIELD | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| CONNIE DIXON | EX OFFICIO | 2 | — |
| SANDRA WISDOM-MARTIN | EX OFFICIO | 2 | — |
| CHARLENE MILLER | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| GAYLA PARKER | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| TY PENDERGRASS | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| INA RIOS | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| CINDY TOWNSEND | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| CHARLOTTE WATSON | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| DAVID COMPHER | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| JANET CRAYNON | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| JODY HUNT | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| KAYE MILLER | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| LORRAINE POWERS | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| PEGGY DARBY | PRESIDENT | 40 | $98,225 |
| DONNA BRITT | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| JILL MCNICOL | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| MELANIE HART | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
| MARGARET LITTLE | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has made recent grants supporting:
WMU Foundation grants help CWJC sites expand reach - The Baptist PaperExpansion of Christian Women's Job Corps (CWJC) sites to expand reach and deepen assistance
WMU Foundation grants help CWJC sites expand reach - The Baptist PaperIncreased scholarships for missionary kids (MKs)
Various grants and scholarships totaling $138,194 in recent award cycles
WMU awards $138,194 in grants, scholarships | The Alabama BaptistThe Foundation continues to actively manage its endowments and provide financial support to WMU ministries and related Baptist missions organizations.
WMU Foundation grants help CWJC sites expand reach - The Baptist PaperSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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