Marys Pence

We envision a world where empowered women and their communities flourish in solidarity and justice.

Do you share our vision of dignity for all and believe in women’s power to transform oppressive systems? Join us!

We support women working for change in two ways...

Mary's Pence Grants
We fund women-led and women-focused organizations working for social change in their local communities. Our grantees are small but mighty grassroots organizations who are responding to needs identified within their communities by working collaboratively with community members. Our granting process is intentional and holistic. In order to meet emerging needs, we do not restrict funding to prescribed issue areas. Rather, the kinds of issues that we fund arise organically as needs change and emerge within a community. We also provide our grantees with additional support including networking, retreats, information sessions and publicity.

ESPERA Community Lending
Through the ESPERA program, Mary’s Pence works with marginalized women in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. ESPERA meets the concrete and immediate need for financial resources, provides long-term support for women through coaching on business and leadership skills, and works to strengthen our grassroots partners. ESPERA women are survivors of war and many face violence from gangs and domestic abuse. The women do not have access to traditional means of making money. They live primarily in rural areas and many have only an elementary education; some are illiterate. In El Salvador especially, migration is changing social and family structures, leaving many women to raise families alone. For rural women, the lack of infrastructure and basic services like transportation affects health and business alike.

Dignity for All

We believe that all people deserve to live with dignity, free from violence and oppression, and with the opportunity to create the life they imagine for themselves and their communities. We know that those who experience injustice are best qualified to create effective solutions, and that when women work together, communities are transformed.

Mary’s Pence has received the Guidestar Exchange Seal for reporting fully on organizational data, including fundraising, budgeting, board and staff, and for meeting standard practices for nonprofits.

Mary's Pence received the 2017 Mission and Excellence Award for Responsive Philanthropy from the Minnesota Council for Nonprofits and Propel