junior league of minneapolis

What junior league of minneapolis does

Junior League of Minneapolis (JLM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit women's civic leadership organization founded in 1923 by Katharine Phelps, headquartered at 4500 Park Glen Road, Suite 180, Minneapolis. The organization develops women's potential as civic leaders through structured training, committee service, and hands-on volunteer work, supported by more than 500 active members who contribute 50 to 150-plus hours annually. It serves two principal constituencies: (1) women of all races, religions, and national origins seeking leadership development and community engagement, and (2) Minneapolis-area nonprofits and educational institutions that benefit from trained volunteer capacity, grant funding, and program partnerships.

JLM operates a portfolio of community programs rather than technology products. Core programs include Between the Lines (recording book readings at Shakopee Women's Correctional Facility to maintain caregiver-child bonds during incarceration or military deployment, running since 2008), Helping Hands (done-in-a-day volunteer shifts across 20-plus community partners), LeagueAires (a women's choral ensemble established in 1966 in partnership with MacPhail Center for Music), H.O.M.E.S. (a STEM family-engagement program reaching 400-500 K-5 families annually), Backpack Buddies (food security in North Minneapolis), and 30 Million Words (early childhood literacy with People Serving People). The technology footprint is limited to MailChimp for email, Google Analytics for web analytics, and AJLI's volunteer management system (vms.ajli.org); the organization holds no patents, trademarks, or proprietary technology assets.

JLM's revenue model is a hybrid of recurring membership dues, one-time fundraising events (Bottles Bags & Bingo, Sip & Strike, FITraiser Series, Toss for a Cause, Men in the Kitchen, Shop Save Share, and cookbook sales), tiered corporate sponsorships (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze), in-kind donations, and individual donations through the Annual Fund. Event pricing is granular, ranging from $15 cookbooks and $35 Founders Day tickets to $1,000 VIP tables for eight. JLM is an independent member of the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI), a federation of 297 Leagues across 6 countries, and has played founding roles in major Minneapolis institutions including Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery (1983) and Free Arts Minnesota. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

junior league of minneapolis

Legal name

Junior League of Minneapolis, Inc.

Website

https://jlminneapolis.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Junior League of Minneapolis is a 501(c)(3) women's volunteer organization founded in 1923 that trains civic leaders and runs community impact programs across the Twin Cities, serving more than 500 members and partnering with local nonprofits and schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Leadership and Volunteer Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Volunteerism, Service-Learning & Community Service (EDALAHAG), NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC)

Keywords

• Women volunteer organization
• Civic leadership development
• Community impact programs
• Nonprofit membership services
• Volunteer training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Members pay annual dues to join and participate in the League. Returning members pay dues with no additional fees, and a payment plan option is available.
2. Event Fundraising: The organization hosts various fundraising events including Bottles Bags & Bingo, FITraiser Series, Sip & Strike, Toss for a Cause, Men in the Kitchen, Shop Save Share, and cookbook sales.
3. Annual Fund Donations: Individual donations support the mission to train women to become community and civic leaders through JLM-led community programs.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide financial support at various tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) for fundraising events.
5. In-Kind Donations: The organization accepts in-kind donations from individuals and corporations.
6. Cookbook Sales: Sale of the Always Superb cookbook (collaboration between JL Minneapolis and JL St. Paul) for $15 (pickup) or $20 (shipped).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Junior League of Minneapolis is a women's volunteer civic leadership organization that trains and mobilizes more than 500 members annually to deliver community programs (Between the Lines, Helping Hands, H.O.M.E.S., Backpack Buddies, 30 Million Words/Book Bash, LeagueAires) and signature fundraising events (Bottles, Bags & Bingo; Sip & Strike; FITraiser Series; Always Superb cookbook; Clothes Line Pop-Up) that fund grants to local nonprofits and close opportunity gaps in the Minneapolis community.

Product overview

The Junior League of Minneapolis is a nonprofit women's civic leadership organization (not a technology company) offering a portfolio of community programs and fundraising initiatives. Core programs include Between the Lines (caregiver-child bonding during incarceration/military separation), Helping Hands (done-in-a-day volunteer shifts), H.O.M.E.S. (STEM programming for families), Backpack Buddies (food security), and 30 Million Words (early childhood literacy). Fundraising products include Bottles, Bags & Bingo (annual luxury bingo event), Sip & Strike (bowling fundraiser), FITraiser Series (fitness events), the Always Superb cookbook, and Clothes Line pop-up resale. The LeagueAires choral ensemble provides musical performances to community. All programs support the organization's mission to advance women's leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LeagueAires: A women's choral ensemble established in 1966 that brings the joy and healing power of music to older adults and those with special needs.
• Between the Lines
• Helping Hands

Products and services

• JLM Membership Program Annual paid membership program for women in the Twin Cities who commit to volunteer service, complete New Member Training, serve on committees, and contribute 50–150+ hours per year to community programs; includes payment plan option and progression to Sustainer status.
• Between the Lines Program that strengthens the bond between children and their caregivers during lengthy separation due to incarceration or military deployments by enabling female parents/caretakers at Minnesota Correctional Facility Shakopee to record book readings for their children.
• Helping Hands Done-in-a-day volunteer shift program serving over 20 community partners, allowing Junior League members to meet short-term needs without long-term commitment.
• LeagueAires Women's choral ensemble that performs for older adults and people with special needs, in partnership with MacPhail Center for Music (which provides the Director teaching artist).
• H.O.M.E.S. (Hands On Math, Engineering and Science) STEM engagement program for K–5 families offering monthly family nights and conferences plus large-scale events reaching 400–500 families with hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics activities.
• Backpack Buddies Food security program addressing food deserts by providing backpacks filled with nutritious food to children in need, particularly in North Minneapolis.
• 30 Million Words / Book Bash Early childhood literacy initiative partnering with People Serving People to provide books and promote language development for young children and their families.
• Bottles, Bags & Bingo Annual luxury bingo fundraising event featuring eight rounds of bingo, designer handbag prizes, raffles (including $1,000 Nordstrom gift card, spa day, dinner at Demi), an Italian buffet dinner, and a cash bar at Bloomington Event Center. Tickets tiered from Social ($65) to VIP Table for Eight ($1,000).
• Sip & Strike Bowling Fundraiser Spring bowling fundraising event featuring a pizza buffet, raffles, games, and a Heads or Tails game at Park Tavern. Tickets range from Kid Bowling ($42.50) to VIP Lane for Six ($600).
• FITraiser Series Fitness-inspired fundraising series running August through May featuring various workout events across the Twin Cities metro area for members and community participants.
• Always Superb Cookbook Nearly 300-page cookbook produced in collaboration between Junior Leagues of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, featuring recipes with seasonal photography from the North Woods. Priced at $15 for office pickup and $20 for shipment.
• Clothes Line Pop-Up Resale pop-up event reselling gently loved goods donated by members and the community, with proceeds supporting past JLM community projects; revived for the organization's 100th anniversary. The original Clothes Line operated 1950–2005 and contributed more than $3.5 million in community aid.
• Find the Good Day Annual September celebration of compassion, community, and positive change aligned with the International Find the Good Day movement, open to both members and non-members.
• Community Partner Program Formal partnership engagement connecting JLM trained volunteers with Minneapolis educational institutions and nonprofits, including Bundles of Love, Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, Minneapolis Public Schools, My Very Own Bed, Partnership Academy, Shakopee Women's Correctional Facility, and Youth Performance Company.
• Organizational Development Training (ODT) Three-day training conference focused on organizational growth for Junior Leagues and personal development for Junior League leaders and members, including workshops and mainstage sessions.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 500 members contributing 50-150+ hours annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJLM is a member of AJLI, an international organization of Junior Leagues. AJLI provides training resources, national conferences (Annual Conference in Orlando), and coordinates across 297 Leagues in 6 countries. Contact: 1-800-95-LEAGUE, Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. (EST).
• MacPhail Center for MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established July 2006 for LeagueAires choral ensemble. MacPhail provides teaching artist as Director for LeagueAires. MacPhail's mission is to transform lives and enrich the community through music education.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree Arts is a program of Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities. JLM awarded $10,000 grant to Free Arts in 2023. Big Brothers Big Sisters was recognized as JLM's 2024-25 Community Partner of the Year.
• Greater Minneapolis Crisis NurserycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginally founded as a JLM community service project in 1983. JLM awarded $10,000 grant in 2023 for refurbishing the large gym space. Offers free services for parents and children in crisis.
• Free Arts MinnesotacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginally founded as a JLM community service project. A program of Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities. JLM awarded $10,000 grant in 2023 for refreshing a supply cabinet used by five partner organizations.
• Minneapolis Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing students and families tools to make education successful. JLM supports MPS through volunteer programs, grants, and community projects focused on closing the opportunity gap.
• My Very Own BedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2014; by 2023 provided more than 7,000 beds and Dream Kits to children ages 2-17 in Twin Cities. JLM members make tie blankets for this partner at recruitment events.
• Partnership AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner with mission to create learning experiences and partnerships that empower students to achieve their greatest potential in order to be positive contributors in their community.
• Youth Performance CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning theatre that develops and empowers young actors, singers, and dancers to reach artistic potential and become community leaders.
• Bundles of LoveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished 2001; partners with community organizations to assist Minnesota families in need by providing handmade items for newborns.
• Shakopee Women's Correctional Facility (Minnesota Correctional Facility)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Between the Lines program enabling female parents/caretakers incarcerated at Shakopee to record the reading of a book for their child, strengthening bonds during lengthy separation.
• Mall of AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Shop Save Share fundraising event. Shoppers could save 20% at Mall of America retailers October 24-November 6, 2016. Discount cards sold for $40 at Mall guest service areas.
• The Container Store - EdinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Shop Save Share fundraising event. Located at 3825 Gallagher Dr, Edina, MN 55435. Discount cards sold for $40.
• Warners' StellianminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Sip & Strike and Bottles Bags & Bingo events. Located at 3553 W. 70th St. Edina, MN 55435. Provided wine refrigerator as grand prize for Bottles Bags & Bingo.
• High FiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor ($1,000+) for Sip & Strike event.
• The Corner Balloon ShoppeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Sip & Strike event.
• Identity PrintingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTom Muller of Identity Printing recognized as 2023-24 Community Partner of the Year for years of dedicated partnership and outstanding commitment to JLM volunteer efforts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Soroptimist International of the Americas: Women's global volunteer service organization with similar mission of improving lives through leadership, education, and service; comparable members, programs, and fundraising-event-based operations.
• League of Women Voters Minneapolis: National women-focused civic engagement organization with a Minneapolis chapter; shares the women-and-civic-leadership DNA though its mission is voting/advocacy rather than direct community service delivery.
• National Charity League: Mother-daughter philanthropic organization focused on community service and leadership development; operates chapters nationwide with similar membership-based volunteer model centered on women and youth.
• American Association of University Women (AAUW): National nonprofit advancing equity for women and girls through education, leadership, and advocacy; shares women-focused leadership development and chapter-based operating model.
• Zonta International: Global service organization of professionals empowering women through service and advocacy; comparable women-only membership structure and community grants model.
• Junior League of St. Paul: Direct peer—the companion Minnesota Junior League chapter in St. Paul; JLM and JL St. Paul co-produce the Always Superb cookbook and operate as sister organizations within the same metro and AJLI framework.

Regional players

• YWCA Minneapolis: Twin Cities-based women-and-family services nonprofit that overlaps with JLM on community impact programs (housing, early childhood, equity) and competes for the same volunteer and donor pool.
• United Way of the Twin Cities: Major regional community funder that aggregates donations and distributes grants to Twin Cities nonprofits; overlaps as a peer in the same community-funder ecosystem serving overlapping nonprofit partners.

Broad incumbents

• Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI): Umbrella organization spanning 297 Leagues across 6 countries; JLM is a member of AJLI, which provides training, conferences, and the shared volunteer management system (VMS) used by all member chapters.
• Rotary International (Minneapolis-area clubs): Long-established civic-service volunteer organization with strong Twin Cities presence; shares the model of dues-funded, leadership-development-driven community service delivery but with broader demographics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/jlminneapolis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-junior-league-of-minneapolis
• Instagraminstagram.com/jlminneapolis

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 junior league of minneapolis