Women Unite! is a 100% women-operated nonprofit in Chicago.
We believe in the power of women and the key role we play in making our world a more just, compassionate place. We strive to uplift the voices of all who have been silenced.
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The Funding Landscape Is Inherently Unequal
In our current system, whether or not an organization thrives relies heavily on connections to wealth. This closed system limits the types of conversations that are seriously considered. By offering high-quality, capacity-building services to organizations that have been historically excluded from traditional philanthropy and financing models, WU! increases access to resources and creates space for a broader range of solutions.
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Communities Know What’s Best
Our work is rooted in the firm belief that communities often know what needs to be done and often know the best way to do it. Women Unite! is committed to collaborating with organizations to build on their strengths and expertise in ways that meet their needs and advance their goals.
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Leverage Networks. Amplify Voices.
WU! is committed to using our resources to amplify the voices and work of others. By tapping into our personal and professional networks, WU! seeks to connect Chicago-based work to a wider range of supporters.
Since December 2016, we’ve raised nearly $10M for Chicago nonprofits. That’s more than $1M per year for grassroots organizations, a majority of whom have annual budgets of less than $800,000.
Where we began
In true millennial fashion, Women Unite! began as a text thread—a space where founding members Ally Burns, Liz Jansen, Sterling Haukom Anderson, Andreanna Triliegi, and Darcie Young Tashey could vent about what was happening in the world. They decided to channel their feelings into something positive, and together they launched WU!
From December 2016 to December 2018, WU! hosted monthly fundraisers for local nonprofits committed to uplifting and empowering the communities most impacted by systemic injustice. In 2019, the organization transitioned to its current partnership and sliding scale model.