Supporting the ADVANCEMENT of women in the profession of architecture
In 2018 — in conjunction with fundraising for the Women’s Leadership Summit hosted by AIA Minnesota in Minneapolis — the Minnesota Architectural Foundation launched the Women in Architecture (WIA) Fund. The WIA Fund promotes equity in the architecture profession through grants that address challenges women face over the course of their careers. Grants from the WIA Fund further the diversity of perspectives which lead to more resonant, responsive, and effective design solutions.
Donate to the WIA Fund
Thank you, donors! These generous firms and AEC industry partners made significant donations to establish the WIA Fund
Alliiance | BWBR Architects | Cuningham Group Architecture, Inc. | Emanuelson-Podas | ESG Architecture & Design | HGA | Kodet Architectural Group, Ltd. | LEO A DALY | MacDonald & Mack Architects, Ltd. | Snow Kreilich ArchitectsHighlighted Grantee Efforts
Research
Career Pathways: Crafted or Assigned? Do Female Architects Feel They Have Agency in Their Career Trajectory?
This initiative researches the career choices of Minnesota’s female architects to disrupt traditional systems and empower women with greater agency over their professional futures.
Film
FAIA Legacy Project »
The FAIA Legacy Project preserves the stories of Minnesota’s female AIA Fellows through oral histories to combat industry bias and inspire women to thrive in architecture.
Recent WIA Fund Grant Recipients
WIA Fund Grant Recipient
Katie Kangas, AIA, Flying Solo Podcast »
The Flying Solo podcast uses "modern fables" to inspire entrepreneurial architects. Its upcoming season features 12 interviews with Minnesota women in design, sharing local leadership and innovation with an international audience.
WIA Fund Grant Recipient
Kaitlin Schalow, AIA, Research Presentation »
Using surveys and interviews, this project investigates why female architects in Minnesota select certain career pathways. The goal is to move from identifying obstacles to designing systemic disruptions that support diverse, self-determined career growth
WIA Fund Grant Recipient
Dunwoody Design Build Summer Camp
The initial launch for the weeklong Design Build camp at Dunwoody for girls and gender-expansive youth to design and construct community food pantries—empowering the next generation of underrepresented professionals to lead in the built environment.
WIA Fund Grant Recipient
Elizabeth Turner, AIA, Research »
By surveying the intersection of professional life and caregiving responsibilities, this project will provide the data necessary to inform more equitable leadership decisions and support systems for women in architecture.
WIA Fund Grant Recipient
Tiersa Wodash, AIA, Outside the Box »
Creator of Outside The Box bringing activities and experiences related to design fields and construction trades to middle school youth experiencing systemic barriers to achievement, to provide opportunities to practice creative problem solving skills.
WIA Fund Grant Recipient
Alicia Belton, FAIA, NOMA, Camp SEE Architecture
Funding for Camp SEE Architecture supported a new STEAM curriculum for middle school girls of color, equipping 40 participants with the technical skills and agency to design a low-carbon future through sketching, modeling, and architectural tours.
WIA Fund Grant Applications
Grants are awarded biennially. Look for our next application cycle in mid-2026, with $10,000 in total funding to be distributed.Contact us about the WIA Fund
Deputy Executive Director