Wisconsin Women's Network

What Wisconsin Women's Network does

Wisconsin Women's Network is a Madison, Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1979, established by influential Wisconsin women after Governor Lee Dreyfus disbanded the Wisconsin Commission on the Status of Women. Its mission is to improve the status of women and girls throughout Wisconsin by fostering communication, education, advocacy, and connections across an intersectional agenda covering health, safety, and economic security. Core programs include the Policy Institute (an annual intensive training program with four two-day Madison retreats plus Wisconsin State Capitol advocacy training that has prepared over 300 women since 2012), the year-long Mentorship Program (pairing college students and early-career women with established professional mentors and serving 200+ pairs since launch), the Artful Women juried art exhibition (now in its 40th year), the flagship Women's Equality Day annual fundraiser, and recurring Feminism on Tap gatherings and The Big Share online giving campaign.

The organization is intentionally lean, employing a small working Board of Directors plus a staff led by Executive Director Emily Hyde Cawley (UW Law School graduate, in role since March 2025 after joining as Program Manager in 2022). Its technology footprint is minimal and consumer-grade: a Squarespace-hosted website at wiwomensnetwork.org supporting content, email newsletter capture, event ticketing, donations, and sponsorship forms; no proprietary software, mobile app, or API is disclosed. Revenue mechanics are those of a community nonprofit: individual and corporate donations, foundation grants (e.g., Endres Manufacturing Foundation, Evjue Foundation, Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee), event ticket revenue ($35-$50 per attendee), and a defined sponsorship ladder from $250 individual up through $5,000 corporate "Presenting" sponsorship of Women's Equality Day.

The go-to-market motion is event- and community-driven rather than commercial sales. Programs reach participants and supporters through signature events at venues such as Goodman Community Center (Madison) and University Hospital, direct program delivery across Wisconsin, and a 16-organization partner coalition spanning reproductive rights (Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin), anti-violence work (End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault), LGBTQ+ rights (Fair Wisconsin), civic engagement (League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, ACLU-WI), and economic equity (9 to 5 Wisconsin, Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation). Marketing channels are limited to organic Facebook/Instagram, email, website content, and event-based outreach, with no paid acquisition infrastructure.

Name

Wisconsin Women's Network

Legal name

Wisconsin Women's Network

Website

https://wiwomensnetwork.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wisconsin Women's Network is a Madison, Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1979 that runs the Policy Institute, Mentorship Program, Artful Women exhibition, and Women's Equality Day fundraiser to advance the status of women and girls across Wisconsin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Advocacy Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Other Social Advocacy Organizations (813319)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAD)

Keywords

• Women's advocacy services
• Gender equity training
• Nonprofit coalition building
• Policy advocacy training
• Professional mentorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual and corporate donations support the organization's programs including Policy Institute, Mentorship Program, and community events. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
2. Event Tickets: Revenue from Women's Equality Day event tickets: General Admission at $50, Volunteer/Program Participant at $35.
3. Sponsorships: Individual sponsorships ranging from $250 to $1,000+, and corporate sponsorships at $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000 levels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Wisconsin Women's Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit coalition that delivers annual intensive policy advocacy training (Policy Institute), a year-long professional mentorship program, a juried art exhibition (Artful Women), and signature community events such as Women's Equality Day and Feminism on Tap. All programming targets Wisconsin women and girls to strengthen leadership, advocacy skills, mentorship networks, and civic engagement. The organization is funded primarily through donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and event ticket sales.

Product overview

Wisconsin Women's Network operates as a coalition-based non-profit organization offering multiple interconnected programs and events rather than a unified technology product. The core programs include the Policy Institute (leadership and advocacy training), Mentorship Program (career development), Artful Women (artist showcase and fundraiser), and Women's Equality Day (flagship annual event). Additional offerings include Feminism on Tap networking gatherings and The Big Share annual fundraising initiative. These programs work together to advance the status of women and girls through communication, education, advocacy, and community connections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Policy Institute Annual intensive training program preparing women from across Wisconsin for public engagement through hands-on leadership, communications, media training, and policy advocacy. Participants attend four two-day retreats in Madison and work on real-world advocacy projects, including legislative visits and hearings at the Wisconsin State Capitol, focused on women's health, safety, and economic security. Since 2012, the institute has trained over 300 women.
• Mentorship Program Year-long structured mentorship program pairing college students and women early in their careers with established professional women across Wisconsin. Builds meaningful relationships for professional development, networking, leadership growth, salary negotiation support, and personal growth. Open to diverse backgrounds including LGBTQ+, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity, and has expanded to Milwaukee.
• Artful Women Annual juried art show and sale celebrating women artists across Wisconsin. Showcases paintings, bead work, photographs, sculptures, and mixed media, and serves as both a fundraiser and a platform for women artists to showcase their work. Exhibitions are held at the Surgical Waiting Area at University Hospital in Madison.
• Women's Equality Day Annual flagship fundraising event celebrating the anniversary of the 19th Amendment and women's right to vote. Features a speaker program, the Excellence in Advocacy Award, networking opportunities, and a raffle. Suggested tickets are priced at $50 General Admission and $35 for WWN volunteers and program participants. Held at the Goodman Community Center Brassworks Building in Madison.
• Feminism on Tap Recurring casual networking gathering for community members passionate about social and gender justice. Designed to enable attendees to develop collaboration ideas and discuss local Wisconsin efforts to advance the status of women and girls.
• The Big Share Annual participation in Community Shares of Wisconsin's 36-hour online giving event, raising funds that support WWN's programs strengthening women's leadership and civic engagement. Held online through the Community Shares of Wisconsin platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 women trained through Policy Institute since 2012
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• End Domestic Abuse WisconsinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on domestic violence education and advocacy for survivors, aligned with WWN's focus on women's safety.
• Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual AssaultminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working to create social change to prevent sexual violence, aligned with WWN's advocacy mission.
• American Association of University Women - WisconsinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working to break through educational and economic barriers for women, aligned with WWN's mission.
• 9 to 5 WisconsinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization advocating for pro-family workplaces and ending workplace discrimination, aligned with WWN's economic equity focus.
• Fair WisconsinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization promoting equality and quality of life for LGBTQ people, aligned with WWN's inclusivity mission.
• Women's International League for Peace & FreedomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization opposing oppression and standing for equality, aligned with WWN's peace and security advocacy.
• ACLU-WIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization defending civil liberties and civil rights of Wisconsin residents, aligned with WWN's advocacy mission.
• League of Women Voters - WIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization advocating for active and informed participation in government, aligned with WWN's civic engagement focus.
• YWCA MadisonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization addressing intersection of racial inequities and gender inequalities, aligned with WWN's intersectional approach.
• Planned Parenthood of WisconsinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization empowering individuals to manage sexual and reproductive health, aligned with WWN's reproductive rights advocacy.
• NARAL Pro-Choice WisconsinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization guaranteeing women's reproductive choices, aligned with WWN's reproductive rights focus.
• Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization promoting equity for women in business through networking and mentoring, aligned with WWN's economic empowerment focus.
• Community Shares of WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost organization for The Big Share, a 36-hour online giving event that WWN participates in annually for fundraising.
• Goodman Community CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Women's Equality Day 2026 event at Brassworks Building location in Madison, Wisconsin.
• University HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner hosting Artful Women exhibition in Surgical Waiting Area at University Hospital in Madison.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Association of University Women (AAUW) - Wisconsin: AAUW Wisconsin is a state-level affiliate of AAUW focused on breaking educational and economic barriers for women. As an existing WWN partner organization with overlapping mission on women's advancement in Wisconsin, it is the most directly comparable peer serving the same state.
• League of Women Voters of Wisconsin: League of Women Voters Wisconsin advocates for active civic participation and informed engagement in government, closely aligned with WWN's policy advocacy training mission. Listed as a WWN partner, it competes for the same engaged Wisconsin women demographic.
• YWCA Madison: YWCA Madison addresses the intersection of racial and gender inequities through direct services and advocacy in the same Madison, Wisconsin market as WWN. As a WWN partner with broader service delivery, it competes for both donor dollars and program participants.
• NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin: NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin advocates for reproductive rights and freedoms, an issue area explicitly within WWN's mission scope. As a WWN partner, it shares overlapping constituent base and pursues policy advocacy on related women's issues in Wisconsin.
• 9 to 5 Wisconsin: 9 to 5 Wisconsin advocates for workplace equity and against discrimination, aligning with WWN's economic security pillar. As a WWN partner, it competes for similar donor segments while pursuing overlapping policy advocacy on women's economic issues.
• Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin: Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is a major reproductive health and advocacy organization operating statewide. As a WWN partner with substantially greater resources, it competes for the same donor base while overlapping on reproductive rights advocacy.
• Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee: Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee is a regional foundation funding women's leadership and advocacy, including grant contributions to WWN. While a partner/funder to WWN, it operates parallel programming and competes for philanthropic attention in the Wisconsin women's equity space.
• End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin is the statewide coalition addressing domestic violence, directly aligned with WWN's women's safety advocacy pillar. As a WWN partner, it serves overlapping constituents and competes for limited state-level funding on women's safety issues.
• Fair Wisconsin: Fair Wisconsin advocates for LGBTQ equality in the state, aligning with WWN's stated intersectional inclusivity mission. As a WWN partner, it competes for advocacy funding on issues affecting Wisconsin women and girls in the LGBTQ community.
• Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault: WCASA works to prevent sexual violence through policy advocacy and education, aligning with WWN's women's safety focus. As a WWN partner, it operates in the same advocacy space and competes for similar state-level grant funding on gender-based violence prevention.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wiwomensnetwork
• Instagramfacebook.com/profile.php?id=53347453969
• Xx.com/wiwomensnetwork

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Wisconsin Women's Network