WomenVenture is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. Founded in 1978, the organization provides comprehensive support to women business owners through training, capital access, consulting services, and community resources. WomenVenture operates as a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Women's Business Center, part of a national network of nearly 100 educational centers focused on assisting women to start and grow small businesses.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.5M
+11.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$416K
+570.9% YoY
Grant Count
1
-88.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$416K
+5938.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: Empower women to achieve their economic goals by building profitable and sustainable businesses that transform communities.
Vision: To live in a society where women-owned businesses are the economic engine that powers our world.
WomenVenture's primary focus areas include:
- Business development and entrepreneurship support
- Economic development for women and underrepresented entrepreneurs
- Small business lending and capital access
- Financial and marketing education
- Business consulting and guidance
Grantmaking
WomenVenture functions primarily as a service provider and lender rather than a traditional grantmaker. However, the organization does receive grants from foundations:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WomenVenture operates primarily in Minnesota, with headquarters in Saint Paul. The organization has received state-level support, including a $2 million state appropriation for initiatives in child care and food businesses.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total Assets: $7,545,689
- Total Revenue: $4,218,648
- Total Expenses: $4,077,291
- Total Liabilities: $4,460,000
- Total Giving: $537,412
Staffing: 39 employees (as of 2024)
Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3) organization since September 1984 (EIN: 41-1463426)
Rating: Four-Star rating from independent charity evaluators, with a 91% overall score
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,545,689 | $6,757,859 | $7,708,341 |
| Revenue | $4,218,648 | $3,555,294 | $8,474,014 |
| Expenses | $4,077,291 | $3,420,554 | $7,368,331 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $34,063 | $1,793 | $560 |
| 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 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
110 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Roots Midwifery Llc ($415,983).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ROOTS MIDWIFERY LLC MINNEAPOLIS, MN | ROOTS BIRTH CENTER EXPANSION | $415,983 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Leeann Rasachak – Chief Executive Officer
- Bill Stelle – Chief Operating Officer
- Joanna Schnedler – Chief Financial Officer
- Rosemarie Ndupuechi – Chief Advancement and Marketing Officer
- Emily Conroy – Chief Program Officer (title partially listed)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRISTEN DENZER | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| RHONDA SKOBY | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| SARA KAUFMAN | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| AJ AUSTERMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| AIMEE STOLT | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ANNA DOSEN-HICKS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| BABETTE BUCKNER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHAZ SANDIFER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DEREK BURGESS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| GEMMA KUBAT | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JESSI MILLER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NICOLE DUNHAM | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| PANG XIONG | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| REBECCA COOPER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ROBYN SAPHIR | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LISA KRAMER RODACKER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MARIA KOCHIRAS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NELIMA SITATI MUNENE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LEEANN RASACHAK | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $193,815 |
| KARLA DROSS | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $127,389 |
| EMILY CONROY | CHIEF PROGRAM & CLIENT EXPERIENCE OFFICER | 40 | $124,376 |
| ROSEMARIE NDUPUECHI | CHIEF ADVANCEMENT & MARKETING OFFICER | 40 | $114,927 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Program Accomplishments:**
Supported more than 1,200 clients through lending and training programs
Provided more than 13,000 hours of combined training and consulting
Clients created nearly 500 jobs
75 small businesses launched
98.3% loan repayment success rate
98% of loans deployed to women-owned businesses
64% of loans deployed to minority-owned clients
**Strategic Initiatives:**
Advocacy work as a member of the Minnesota Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Coalition
Direct engagement with U.S. and state legislators
Return to in-person courses following the COVID-19 pandemic
Workplace modernization efforts to increase employee satisfaction and retention
Announced 2024 Women Mean Business Award winners
women entrepreneurs - business grants - InstagramApplauded $2.5 million child care grants announcement
WomenVenture Applauds $2.5M Child Care Grants AnnouncementSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Womenventure fund?
**Mission Statement:** Empower women to achieve their economic goals by building profitable and sustainable businesses that transform communities. **Vision:** To live in a society where women-owned businesses are the economic engine that powers our world. WomenVenture's primary focus areas include: • Business development and entrepreneurship support • Economic development for women and underrepresented entrepreneurs • Small business lending and capital access • Financial and marketing education…
How do I apply for a grant from Womenventure?
WomenVenture functions primarily as a service provider and lender rather than a traditional grantmaker. However, the organization does receive grants from foundations: **Recent Foundation Support:** • Hugh J Andersen Foundation: $130,000 (Capacity Building - Grant Reporting) • Rooted Philanthropic: $100,000 (General Support) • The McKnight Foundation: $75,000 (General Operating Support) **Lending Activity:** As an SBA loan provider, WomenVenture offers microloans ranging from $500 to $100,000 t…
Where does Womenventure make grants?
WomenVenture operates primarily in Minnesota, with headquarters in Saint Paul. The organization has received state-level support, including a $2 million state appropriation for initiatives in child care and food businesses.
What size grants does Womenventure award?
In 2024, Womenventure awarded 1 grants totaling $416K — an average of about $416K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Womenventure's EIN?
Womenventure's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1463426. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Womenventure'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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