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. In addition, WPI connects them with community needs and with the organizations working to address those needs.
Each year, WPI typically meets eight times. These gatherings include a kickoff luncheon, a wrap-up meeting, and 4–5 site visits to Dallas-area nonprofits. Between meetings, “Lunch and Learns” offer members practical tools for evaluating nonprofits. They review financial documents, explore organizational structure, and hear from a community expert about the theme guiding the site visits. This experience strengthens members’ understanding of strategic philanthropy and informs the group’s grantmaking process.
At the end of the year, members vote to award a grant to a selected nonprofit through the WPI Fund at The Dallas Foundation. Each member contributes to the grant with a required minimum donation of $500.
Over the past 10 years, more than 200 women have participated in WPI. Collectively, they have contributed over $36.5 million to the community through their donor advised funds. In addition, the institute has visited dozens of nonprofit organizations, helping members build deeper connections with the causes they support.
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 Donor and Member, Women's Philanthropy Institute
2025 Nonprofit Site Visits
These four nonprofits are offering WPI a behind the scenes look at their organizations and are candidates for the pool of grant funds to be awarded during the year-end luncheon.
POETIC
Community Does It
Jewish Family Service
The Senior Source
Join us!
To be a part of this dynamic group of women, each member agrees to contribute a minimum of $500 to the grant pool. If you are able, please also consider becoming a WPI Pacesetter with a contribution of $10,000 or more to help ensure that we can continue to grant out as much as possible to our community. In the past four years, WPI members granted $300,000 to nonprofit organizations in the greater Dallas community, underscoring the power of collective giving.
You may make your grant contribution now, or anytime prior to December 1. Grant contributions can be made via the link below or recommended through your Dallas Foundation Donor Advised Fund. We look forward to another record breaking year!