Association of Women Contractors

What Association of Women Contractors does

The Association of Women Contractors (AWC) is a Minnesota-based non-profit trade association founded in 1995 that represents women business owners in the construction industry. The organization operates a five-tier membership model — Woman Business Owner (WBO), Construction Associate, Associate, Community Organization, and Government Agency — serving a base of over 250 member companies and administering its operations through a small staff of 8 based in Saint Paul. Revenue derives primarily from membership dues structured by company revenue tier ($500/year for under $1M, $1,200/year for $1–5M, and $2,000/year for over $5M in Construction Associate dues), supplemented by event sponsorships, program fees, and a contracted role administering the City of St. Paul's Construction Partnering Program (CPP).

Core offerings include company membership with access to monthly Member Mingles, a searchable membership directory, the Construction Partnering Program (a three-year M/WBE-to-GC mentoring initiative), the ELEVATE Course (a six-month advanced cohort program delivered with E5 Institute), a Learning Center of archived courses, an annual scholarship program that has disbursed over $300,000 across 20+ years, and the "It Starts With Us" campaign that channels member-to-member business referrals. Distribution is direct via the awcmn.org website and in-person events across the Twin Cities metro, with marketing supported by Constant Contact email, a weekly newsletter called The Scoop, and a network of ~15 major construction-firm website sponsors including Ryan Companies, McGough, Ames Construction, Park Construction, and Kraus-Anderson. Underlying technology is a standard non-profit SaaS stack (Authorizenet, Constant Contact, Google Analytics, social login via Google/Facebook/LinkedIn/Instagram) with no proprietary platform; the organization explicitly states it does not have sister chapters in other states and confines operations to Minnesota.

Name

Association of Women Contractors

Legal name

Assoc of Women Contractors

Website

https://awcmn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Association of Women Contractors is a Minnesota-based non-profit trade association, founded in 1995, serving over 250 women-owned and allied construction companies through tiered membership, the City of St. Paul Construction Partnering Program, the ELEVATE cohort course, and member-to-member business development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: AWC generates primary revenue through membership dues structured by company revenue tier. Construction Associate members pay annual dues based on company size: Under $1M pays $500/year, $1-5M pays $1,200/year, and Over $5M pays $2,000/year. All new applications include a one-time $50 application processing fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Association of Women Contractors is a Minnesota-based nonprofit trade association providing advocacy, networking, education, and mentorship services to women-owned companies in the construction industry. Its core paid offering is company membership (across Woman Business Owner, Construction Associate, Associate, Community Organization, and Government Agency tiers), supplemented by the ELEVATE advanced business training cohort and the City of St. Paul Construction Partnering Program administered under contract.

Product overview

The Association of Women Contractors is a Minnesota-based trade association offering a unified membership program with multiple interconnected services. The core offering is company membership providing access to networking events, educational programming, and advocacy. Key programs include the Learning Center for online courses, the Elevate Course for advanced business training, the Construction Partnering Program for M/WBE mentorship, Barb's Blog for industry guidance, a searchable Membership Directory, a Bid Portal resource, and annual scholarship fundraising. The It Starts With Us campaign encourages member-to-member business relationships. Programs are designed to support women-owned construction companies through advocacy, education, networking, and business development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AWC Membership Company membership providing access to monthly Member Mingles, semi-monthly education sessions, member rate for events, advocacy support, and the searchable Membership Directory. Construction Associate dues are tiered by company revenue: $500/year under $1M, $1,200/year for $1-5M, and $2,000/year over $5M, plus a one-time $50 application fee.
• ELEVATE Course An exclusive 6-month cohort-style advanced business owner training program for women business owners in construction, limited to 20 participants. Includes interactive half-day workshops, one-to-one coaching, and mastermind calls covering business strategy, financial management, and exit planning. AWC subsidizes 50% of the $1,200 cohort cost via program sponsors, pricing members at $600 per participant.
• Construction Partnering Program (CPP) Mentoring program that pairs small M/WBE businesses with established general contractors for a three-year partnership period, facilitating strategic planning, financial growth, operational improvements, and access to contracting opportunities. Administered by AWC under contract with the City of St. Paul.
• Scholarship Golf FUNdraiser Event Annual 9-hole golf tournament functioning as the primary fundraising vehicle for academic and apprentice scholarships awarded to women entering the Minnesota construction industry.
• AWC Scholarships Three scholarship types for women entering the Minnesota construction industry: Apprentice scholarships for registered apprentices, Academic scholarships for bachelor's degree students in construction fields, and Trades Diploma scholarships for 1-2 year certificate programs. Over $300,000 has been donated across 20+ years.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $300,000 donated to women in Minnesota construction over 20+ years through scholarship programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Lunda ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost of AWC August Member Mingle event, providing networking venue and support for the association's monthly member event.
• Froehling AndersonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of AWC September Member Mingle event, demonstrating commitment to supporting women in construction.
• Ironmark Building Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of AWC September Member Mingle event, partnering with AWC to advance diversity in construction.
• CS McCrossancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor providing financial support for AWC's digital presence and operations as part of the organization's sponsorship program.
• Doran CompaniescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor supporting AWC's mission to advance women-owned construction companies.
• Bassford RemelecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor and legal services partner providing support for AWC.
• ConnectUpcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor supporting diversity and inclusion in Minnesota business.
• IBCMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor supporting the construction industry organization.
• Stahl ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor providing support for AWC's mission.
• McGoughcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor and major construction firm supporting AWC's initiatives.
• MEDAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor and commercial lending partner providing financial support for AWC.
• JAK CPAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor and accounting services partner supporting the organization.
• BolanderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor supporting AWC's construction industry mission.
• Park Construction Co.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor and major construction company supporting AWC events and programs.
• Reiling ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor supporting AWC's event programming.
• Ryan CompaniescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor and major construction firm supporting AWC initiatives and member opportunities.
• Ames ConstructioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite sponsor and major national construction firm supporting AWC's mission.
• Minneapolis GlassminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor hosting AWC November Member Mingle.
• Bartelson Blesener Wealth GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor hosting AWC October Member Mingle.
• E5 InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner collaborating with AWC to deliver the ELEVATE program, an exclusive 6-month cohort-style course for advanced women business owners in construction.
• City of St. PaulcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWC works under contract with the City of St. Paul to administer the Construction Partnering Program (CPP), fostering connections between M/WBE and majority construction firms through mentoring and support.
• Kraus-Anderson Construction CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor construction firm participating in CPP program as mentor to SBE businesses. Represented by George Trujillo in CPP testimonials praising the program's effectiveness.
• Gunnar ElectricminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSBE member in CPP program that grew internal accounting practices, safety protocols, and job-site management through the mentoring partnership.
• DIGIN Midwest (formerly MUCA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization awarding scholarships to post-secondary students pursuing construction careers. AWC participates in their golf tournament.
• AGC of MNcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociated General Contractors of Minnesota - major industry partner supporting construction scholarships and workforce development. AWC attends their events and former scholarship recipient Stacy Arnold serves as Director of Safety and CHASE program.
• TBG Education FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization focusing on trades scholarship matching and direct donations to MN school programs to expose youth to construction.
• MAPAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization that donates to academic institution construction programs. AWC participates in their events.
• Central CERTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral Certification Program managed by Strong & Starlike Consulting. AWC facilitates connections between CERT-certified SBE/ESBE firms and majority contractors through the CPP program.
• Roy Lake Cottages (Grandview Lodge)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner hosting the annual AWC Retreat in Nisswa, MN, providing the setting for intimate networking and relationship building limited to 20 members.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC): National trade association serving women in the construction industry with chapters across the U.S. Most directly comparable peer — both focus on advocacy, networking, and education for women in construction trades, though NAWIC operates at national scale while AWC is Minnesota-only.
• Women Construction Owners & Executives (WCOE): National organization specifically serving women who own or operate construction businesses. Highly comparable to AWC's Woman Business Owner (WBO) segment, with similar advocacy and peer-support focus but at national scale.

Regional players

• Associated General Contractors of Minnesota (AGC of MN): Minnesota chapter of the broader AGC network — a regional construction trade association and existing AWC partner. Serves many of the same Minnesota construction firms, including general contractors that participate in AWC's CPP.
• Minnesota Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (MHCC): Regional chamber serving Hispanic/minority business owners in Minnesota with advocacy, networking, and certification support — overlapping with AWC's local W/MBE support model and competing for similar sponsors and grants.

Emerging players

• National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC): National trade association representing minority contractors. Closely analogous mission to AWC's W/MBE focus, though centered on racial/ethnic minority-owned firms rather than women-owned; overlaps with AWC in advocacy and CPP-style partnership programs.

Broad incumbents

• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): Largest third-party certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S. Functions as a broader incumbent in the W/MBE ecosystem that AWC operates within, providing national certification that complements AWC's local networking and advocacy.
• U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce (USWCC): National chamber advocating for women business owners across all industries. Broader incumbent in the women's business-owner ecosystem; competes for member mindshare and sponsorships though it lacks AWC's construction-specific focus.

Others

• National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI): National trade association for remodeling industry professionals. Adjacent rather than directly competing — serves a comparable construction-industry audience but with a remodeling-specific focus rather than women-ownership focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AWCofMN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-women-contractors
• Instagraminstagram.com/insta4awc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association of Women Contractors