Members have the opportunity to exchange ideas with women whose life experience may be the same or very different from their own. By meeting women from a variety of backgrounds, MWI members learn to appreciate different points of view. MWI functions under an umbrella structure. The MWI Provincial Board serves to co-ordinate the activities of the organization on a provincial scale and to link with other provincial, national and international organizations. Six regional boards are responsible for the activities within their regions and for assisting with communication between the provincial board and the membership.
Local branches serve members in their local communities or local geographic areas.
Individual memberships are now also available in the organization. MWI operates under an act of the Manitoba Legislature, the Women's Institute Act of 1930. Within regions, members organize into local branches to enable them to work together more effectively at the grassroots level. This application may be made at the local, regional or provincial level. Regardless of the level at which application is made, all are members of MWI , and have a vote in the business of the organization.