Case Study
Chicago Voyagers
Fundraising & Communications
A Natural Connection
Prior to diving into her role as Executive Director for WU!, Liz Jansen was the part-time Grants & Marketing Manager for Chicago Voyagers (CV). Liz joined CV in the spring of 2019; and after a year of rapid growth for WU!, she realized it was no longer possible for her to manage CV’s needs and WU!’s day-to-day operations.
To continue this professional relationship, CV became an official client of WU! in March 2020. In this expanded role, WU! manages CV’s grant pipeline, social media, and external communications, while also providing additional support in the areas of graphic design, website support, and professional training and development.
Photo Courtesy of Chicago Voyagers
About Chicago Voyagers
CV believes in the potential of all young people to grow into successful, healthy adults. They envision a world where youth, regardless of their background, have the resources needed to develop positive relationships and a strong sense of self. Through outdoor experiential adventures and other unique programs, CV helps expose at-risk youth to the natural world around them, expanding their understanding of what is possible. Their model works. Youth enrolled in their programs show a 65% decrease in in-school disciplinary actions and a 0.7 GPA increase.
Who They Serve
CV focuses exclusively on serving low-income youth of color living in greater Chicago’s under-resourced communities. Nearly 90% of youth they serve come from low-income households and identify as Latinx or Black. A majority of the youth served have experienced high levels of trauma including community violence and families impacted by deportation and incarceration.
Photo Courtesy of Chicago Voyagers
The Organization’s Need
Founded in 2008, CV has grown from a few mountain bikes in a shed that served a handful of youth each year to a robust collection programs that serve hundreds of youth each year. This exponential growth required additional fundraising and communications support focused on long-term sustainability. Because of Liz’s previous experience with the organization, WU! seamlessly joined the CV team, managing and growing the organization’s grant program and social media presence while also taking on additional marketing, communications, and internal training projects.
Mission Alignment
CV’s commitment to empowering marginalized youth directly aligns with WU!’s mission to create a more diverse, equitable world. Together, the two organizations are helping diversify the outdoors while simultaneously offering young people the supports needed for a healthy life.
“Women Unite! Is a key part of Chicago Voyagers. They provide marketing, grant management, and website support. Their staff are professional and knowledgeable and have helped bring us to a higher level—increasing donations and bringing strong messaging to our brand. You could not find a better, more committed partner than Women Unite!”
—Chicago Voyagers
Photo Courtesy of Chicago Voyagers
Women Unite!’s Impact
In just over a year with the organization, Liz and the WU! team have raised over $250,000 in grant funding for CV and has applied to 23 new funders. Additionally, WU! has helped CV grow its social media presence by 45% across its various platforms.
In just over a year, WU! raised over $250,000 in grant funding for Chicago Voyagers!
What began as a part-time grant writing gig, has quickly grown into an expansive partnership that includes providing graphic design and website support and managing the organization’s external communications. The nimble, clear messaging WU! provides has been especially critical during the time of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement. WU! has also signed on to provide CV staff with a training on the topics of anti-racism, implicit bias, and privilege. As with all of WU!’s training modules this one will connect to the outdoor adventure space and the critical services CV provides.