Women’s
Philanthropy
Institute

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 as donors. It helps them become more confident and engaged at every stage of their philanthropic journey.

Each year, members gather for education led by expert staff of The Dallas Foundation, presentations from regional thought leaders, and site visits to local nonprofits, building skills to evaluate organizations, understand strategic philanthropy, and make informed giving decisions.

At the end of each year, members collectively award a grant through the WPI Fund at The Dallas Foundation, with each member contributing at least $500. Over the past decade, more than 200 women have participated, giving over $36.5 million to the community through their donor-advised funds.

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Where Women Become
Confident, Connected Donors

$330K+

granted annually to Dallas-area nonprofits

$2.5M+

granted since WPI’s founding

$15.2M

given by WPI members through their DAFs in 2025

70+

nonprofits have received grants through WPI

WPI connects women with community needs—and the nonprofits meeting those needs.
Whether you are new to philanthropy or looking to deepen your impact, WPI equips you with the tools, insights, and relationships to give confidently.

Each year, WPI members learn together, invest together, and build lasting connections while making measurable change in our community. Named in honor of Mary M. Jalonick, long-time CEO of The Dallas Foundation, WPI reflects her legacy as a community leader and her belief in what’s possible when women come together to lead, serve, and uplift Dallas.

What It Means to Be a WPI Member

Site Visits

Members visit four nonprofits each year to learn firsthand about their missions, programs, and impact. These visits also teach members how to assess a nonprofit’s health, from financials to leadership.

Lunch and Learns

These educational events feature speakers on timely topics selected by members. Attendees hear from community experts and thought leaders who bring context and insight to the issues shaping Dallas.

Annual Luncheon

Each year begins with an inspiring kickoff event featuring a remarkable woman philanthropist as special guest, setting the tone for a year of meaningful learning and giving.

Year-End Grantee Awards

At the close of each year, WPI members vote on the organization that will receive the lead grant and select additional grantees.

“What I have found most fulfilling about being part of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute is not just the exposure to all of the wonderful organizations that are doing good in our city, but the community of women with whom this journey has been shared.”

Ruth Fitzgibbons
Dallas Foundation Fundholder and
Women’s Philanthropy Institute Member

Meet Our WPI Grantees

New Friends New Life

New Friends New Life provides access to education, job training, and trauma-informed counseling for women and girls who have experienced sex trafficking and exploitation. 

Grant: $150,000
Impact: Enabled NFNL to provide mental health services to 188 women who had been trafficked or exploited, empowering them to heal, regain hope, and rebuild their lives. 

Jubilee Park & Community Center

Jubilee Park provides comprehensive, place-based programs that strengthen education, public health, and safety in Southeast Dallas.

Grant: $150,000
Impact: Supported construction of the new Jubilee Park Community Health Clinic, ensuring residents had access to affordable, quality healthcare in the heart of their community.

Bonton Farms

Bonton Farms is a 40-acre urban farm in South Dallas that supports health, nutrition, housing, and economic empowerment in an under-served community.

Grant: $10,000
Impact: Advanced critical community infrastructure that transforms lives by disrupting systems of inequity and fostering a community where healthy food, meaningful work, and a sense of wholeness were accessible to all residents.

A History of Giving

The Women’s Philanthropy Institute has had the honor of supporting local nonprofits through grant giving for over twenty years. Learn about the extraordinary organizations that make up our grantee network.

Explore Past Grantees

Women’s Philanthropy Institute Advisory Committee

Colby Hanks Baer

Investments, Eaglebine Capital

Lucy Bannon 

Chief Communications Officer, NexPoint

Dodee Crockett, CAP, CDFA, SE-AWMA 

Managing Director, Merrill Lynch

Anne Calhoun Duffy, MBA, RN, BSN 

Healthcare Executive, Retired

Rebecca Landin 

Community Leader

Sarah Losinger 

Community Leader

Rev. Lael Melville, M.Div., D.Min.  

Founder, While You Wait Ministries
CEO, The Melville Family Foundation

Robin Norcross  

Partner, The BAR Group

Courtney Underwood 

Co-Founder Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center
Executive Director, The SANE Initiative
Owner & CEO, Underwood Commercial Properties

Paula Walker 

Community Leader 

Kay Winzenried 

Community Leader

Join us!

To be a part of this dynamic group of women, each member agrees to contribute a minimum of $500 annually to the grant pool for collective giving to our nonprofit grantees.

Please consider becoming a WPI Pacesetter with a contribution of $10,000 or more to help ensure we can continue to grant out as much as possible to our community.

Kim Montez

Kim Montez

Senior Director of Gift Planning and Family Philanthropy

Erin Rae Osenbaugh

Erin Osenbaugh

Manager of Donor Services

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