The Women’s Fund is changing the lives of women and girls right here in our community because of your support.
Together we are making a difference.
About us
We are a tax-exempt 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization committed to enriching the lives of women and girls so they can do the same for others. Through an annual competitive grant application process, we have granted over $1 million to local programs working to build an equitable future for all women and girls.
Our grantmaking is supported by two endowments, premier fundraising events, corporate sponsorships and generous donors.
We invite you to learn more about what we do and how you can join us in helping women and girls see possibility.
Mission
To impact all women and girls in our community by supporting organizations with the collective power of philanthropy.
Vision
Women’s Fund of Greater La Crosse will be leaders in:
- Addressing current and critical needs of all women and girls in our community
- Creating a more inclusive and equitable life for all women and girls so they can do the same for others.
Executive Director – currently recruiting
Beth Davidson, Administrative Assistant
beth@womensfundlacrosse.org
608.389.0545
With more than 25 years of marketing, corporate communications and digital marketing experience, Beth brings diverse skills to our team. Driven by a strong belief that we all have a responsibility to help others, the Women’s Fund’s mission is a natural fit.
Beth lives in Holmen with her husband and two greyhounds where she also runs her own pet sitting business. When not working, Beth volunteers her time with a variety of animal rescue organizations.
2026 Board Members
Jodi Ehrenberger, President — Market President, Coulee Bank
Sara Koopman, Vice President — Associate Administrator, La Crosse County
Nicole Meyer, Treasurer — Vice President of Professional Services, HTP Energy
Leslie Meulemans, Secretary — Team Lead, Relationship Manager, Trust Point
Sue Christianson, Past President — Rewired (not retired) Human Development Specialist and Registered Nurse
Amanda Jackson — Onalaska City Attorney, City of Onalaska
Anne Hendrickson — Retired COO/VP Operations/Marketing
Audra Breeden — Licensed Massage Therapist/Owner, Ataraxis Massage
Betty Jorgenson — Volunteer, Retired Registered Nurse/Healthcare Administrator
Hannah Skibba Anderson — Executive Director, Oktoberfest USA
Kelly Nowicki — Associate Teaching Professor, Management Department, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Lynetta Kopp — Retired Executive Director
Nichole Pierce — Marketing Consultant, Emplify Health
Lynsee Thompson — International Practice Operations Manager, Mayo Clinic
Shawn Hauser — Manager, Community Relations, Altra Federal Credit Union
History: 26 Years Supporting Women and Children in the Coulee Region
1998 – Signe Schroeder and Roberta Gelatt create Women’s Fund within the La Crosse Community Foundation.
September 1998 – The first Fall Luncheon is held with Carol Gilligan, chair of Gender Studies at Harvard, speaking on “The Validity and Value of Women’s Voices.”
1999 – Women’s Fund endowment is established through a challenge grant by the La Crosse Community Foundation. The total grant is $19,000. This grant continues today and the earnings are used for the yearly grant distributions.
1999 – Women’s Fund awards its first grants totaling $2000.
2003 – First Artist of the Year Award presented to Eileen Daily for her artwork inspired by Women’s Fund’s “helping others bloom” theme.
2005 – Women’s Fund receives a bequest from the estate of Roberta Zurn and creates the Roberta Zurn Women in Leadership Award. The first winner is June Kjome, missionary, nurse and social activist.
2010 – Women’s Fund establishes itself as its own nonprofit organization.
2013 – Women’s Fund hosts its first Spring Fling to celebrate what unites us as women.
September 2013 – Women’s Fund hires its first Executive Director to support the organization’s continuing growth.
2015 – Women’s Fund creates a quasi-endowment to ensure the organization’s ability to provide grants in perpetuity.
2023 – Women’s Fund celebrates 25 years of supporting women and children in our community.
Learn about our impact.