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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include National Wmu ($781,798), Tennessee Wmu ($69,309), International Mission Board ($36,857).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALABAMA BAPTIST CHILDREN'S HOME BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION & MINISTRIES | $5,000 |
| ALABAMA WOMAN'S MISSIONARY UNION PRATTVILLE, AL | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION & MINISTRIES | $6,185 |
| ALASKA WMU FAIRBANKS, AK | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION & MINISTRIES | $5,387 |
| ARKANSAS WOMAN'S MISSIONARY UNION LITTLE ROCK, AR | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION & MINISTRIES | $9,851 |
| BAYLOR UNIVERSITY WACO, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION & MINISTRIES | $8,336 |
| BLUE MOUNTAIN COLLEGE BLUE MOUNTAINS, MS | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION & MINISTRIES | $13,000 |
| BWMU OF GEORGIA SUWANEE, GA | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION & MINISTRIES | $5,434 |
| CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY RIVERSIDE, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION & MINISTRIES | $9,126 |
| FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION JACKSONVILLE, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION & MINISTRIES | $8,171 |
| GIDEON'S INTERNATIONAL NASHVILLE, TN | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION & MINISTRIES | $5,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Woman's Missionary Union Foundation fund?
**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 pursuin…
How do I apply for a grant from Woman's Missionary Union Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Grants in excess of $3.8 million were paid out during 2023 • Total giving of $3,422,462 reported in most recent filing • Typical award range: $1,500–$2,278,696 **Types of Support:** • Direct grants to WMU and related organizations • Endowment funds supporting specific causes • Scholarships for missionary children and those pursuing mission work • Planned giving opportunities including Charitable Gift Annuities and estate plans • The 1888 Circle program for legacy giving th…
Where does Woman's Missionary Union Foundation make 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
What size grants does Woman's Missionary Union Foundation award?
In 2024, Woman's Missionary Union Foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $36K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Woman's Missionary Union Foundation's EIN?
Woman's Missionary Union Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-1138772. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Woman's Missionary Union Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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