Women's Circle

What Women's Circle does

Women's Circle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000 in Boynton Beach, Florida by Sr. Lorraine Ryan (Medical Mission Sister) and Sr. Joan Carusillo (Sister of the Holy Cross), after a 1999 community survey identified unmet needs in literacy, language learning, job skills, and family support. The organization delivers free education, career training, and mentorship to underserved women in the greater Boynton Beach area, with a cumulative reach of 800+ women served since 2001.

The program portfolio spans nine core offerings: Literacy, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), Computer Literacy, Financial Literacy, Career Development, Goal Setting, Domestic Science, Workplace Communication, and integrated Mental Health Services delivered in partnership with SCMHC. Programs are delivered in-person at the organization's owned headquarters at 912 SE 4th Street (purchased 2010 with CRA assistance, expanded 2019) and supplemented by virtual volunteer opportunities. The organization is volunteer-powered, with a small paid staff (1-10 employees) led by CEO Dr. Darcell L. Streeter, founder Sr. Lorraine Ryan, and co-founder Sr. Joan Carusillo.

The business model is donation-funded across four streams: individual monetary donations (tax-deductible, with 100% directed to programs), in-kind contributions, foundation and corporate grants/sponsorship (Quantum Foundation, Jim Moran Foundation, Walmart Foundation, PNC Foundation, Leon Levine Foundation, Chipotle, Starbucks, GL Homes, Publix, and others), and alternative giving through the Women's Circle Tomorrow Fund (stocks, bonds, cryptocurrency, planned giving). All programs are provided free of charge to participants, and the organization is externally validated by GuideStar, Charity Navigator, and BBB accreditation, with a 2026 BusinessRate Best of 2026 award.

Name

Women's Circle

Legal name

The Women's Circle

Website

https://womenscircle.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Women's Circle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 in Boynton Beach, Florida, providing free literacy, ESOL, computer, financial, and career development programs to underserved women, funded through donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education & Community Services

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Foundational Reading & Writing Literacy (EDAAAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Basic Digital Literacy (Device, Internet, Email) (EDAAAAAC), Health Literacy (Navigating Care, Medication, Preventive Info) (EDAAAAAF), Adult Literacy, Numeracy & Second-Chance Education (BPADAKAF)

Keywords

• Adult education services
• Literacy programs
• Women's empowerment
• Workforce development
• Community education

Headquarters

HQ city

Boynton Beach

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Monetary Donations: The organization raises funds from individual donors who make monetary contributions at various levels ($25, $50, $100 suggested amounts). Donations are tax-deductible and 100% of contributions go directly to programs.
2. In-Kind Donations: The organization accepts in-kind donations of office supplies, cleaning supplies, professional clothing, food, and other goods that support its programs and participants.
3. Foundation and Corporate Grants/Sponsorship: Sustained support from foundations (Quantum Foundation, Jim Moran Foundation, Nora Roberts Foundation, etc.) and corporate sponsors (Chipotle, Starbucks, GL Homes, Publix, etc.) provides programmatic funding and sponsorship for career training and educational programs.
4. Alternative Giving (Stocks, Bonds, Cryptocurrency, Planned Giving): The organization accepts appreciated assets (stocks, bonds), cryptocurrency, and planned giving/bequests through the Women's Circle Tomorrow Fund.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Women's Circle is a nonprofit providing free educational and empowerment programs to underserved women in Boynton Beach, Florida. Core offerings include literacy, ESOL, computer literacy, financial literacy, career development, goal setting, domestic science, workplace communication, and mental health services delivered through community-based classes and workshops.

Product overview

The Women's Circle is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of educational and empowerment programs for underserved women. The core offerings include nine distinct programs: Literacy, ESOL, Computer Literacy, Financial Literacy, Career Development, Goal Setting, Domestic Science, Workplace Communication, and Mental Health Services. These programs are designed to build essential knowledge and skills for personal and professional success, with a focus on helping women achieve economic independence through education and career readiness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Literacy Program Foundational reading and writing instruction for adult women with low literacy skills, delivered free of charge to underserved participants in the Boynton Beach, FL community.
• ESOL Program English-language acquisition classes for non-native speakers, supporting workforce participation and community integration for underserved women in the Boynton Beach, FL area.
• Computer Literacy Program Basic computer and digital skills training to help underserved women navigate digital tools required for employment and daily life.
• Financial Literacy Program Personal finance education covering budgeting, saving, and money management to support economic self-sufficiency of underserved women.
• Career Development Program Job readiness training including resume development, interview preparation, and workplace skills to support career advancement for underserved women.
• Mental Health Services Mental health and emotional well-being support services for women navigating personal and economic challenges, integrated into the organization's holistic empowerment model.
• Workplace Communication Training Instruction on professional communication skills to help underserved women succeed in workplace environments.
• Goal Setting Workshops Personal goal-setting and empowerment workshops to help participants define and pursue personal and professional objectives.
• Domestic Science Program Life skills and domestic science education covering household management and practical daily living skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 800 women empowered through free education, career training, and mentorship since 2001

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zonta Club of Boca RatoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner with a mission of empowering women through service and advocacy. Jane Adams, a board member of Women's Circle, currently serves as President of Zonta Club of Boca Raton.
• SoroptimistminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, aligning with Women's Circle's mission.
• Executive Women of the Palm Beaches FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner providing support and networking opportunities for women's professional advancement.
• 211 Palm Beach and Treasure CoastminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity resource helpline connecting women to health and social services, including referrals to Women's Circle programs.
• Caridad CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity health and social services partner that provides referrals and holistic support for women in need.
• ChipotleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing in-kind donations and support for community events.
• StarbucksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting the organization through donations and community engagement.
• PublixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner contributing in-kind donations and community support.
• Winn-DixieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing in-kind food donations and community support.
• Trader Joe'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner contributing in-kind donations and community engagement.
• Great Charity ChallengeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner contributing to fundraising events and community giving campaigns.
• Extraordinary CharitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner providing organizational support and capacity-building assistance.
• City of Boynton BeachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner that provided assistance in purchasing the organization's property in 2010, demonstrating strong civic commitment to the organization's mission.
• Boynton Beach CRAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Redevelopment Agency partner that assisted the organization in acquiring its property, supporting the organization's physical expansion.
• SCMHCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health services partner that provides integrated care referrals and supports the holistic well-being of program participants.
• TOPWAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTargeted Outreach for Pregnant Women program partner providing support and referrals for pregnant women at risk, aligning with the organization's holistic approach.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• The Women's Foundation of Colorado: Regional foundation funding economic self-sufficiency programs for women and girls. Comparable mission of women's economic empowerment but primarily a grantmaker rather than direct service provider.
• Working Women: California-based nonprofit providing workforce development and job-readiness training for women, with comparable career training focus to Women's Circle but operating in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: Large-scale workforce development nonprofit offering job training, literacy, and ESOL classes to low-income adults. Operates comparable adult education programs but with a much broader retail-supported funding model.
• YWCA USA: National women's empowerment movement delivering education, workforce, and safety programs across hundreds of local affiliates. Comparable mission and population served, with significantly broader geographic footprint than Women's Circle.
• Catholic Charities USA: National network providing social services including ESOL, financial literacy, and case management. Operates comparable programs for underserved populations and shares Women's Circle's faith-based founding heritage.

Emerging players

• Catalyst: Global nonprofit advancing women in workplace leadership through research and workplace inclusion programs. Comparable mission of advancing women's economic participation but operates at a corporate/employer level rather than direct-service.

Direct peers

• Bottomless Closet: New York-based nonprofit providing interview outfits, career coaching, and workplace readiness for women in transition. Closely aligned service mix (career development + personal empowerment) for underserved women.
• Jeremiah Program: Nonprofit serving single mothers with career training, college education, and personal development — directly comparable holistic education-plus-career model for underserved women.
• Dress for Success: Global nonprofit offering career development, professional attire, and job-readiness support to underserved women pursuing economic independence — directly comparable model and target beneficiary to Women's Circle's career development program.
• Literacy Volunteers of America / ProLiteracy: National nonprofit supporting adult literacy and ESOL instruction through local affiliates and volunteer tutors. Closely comparable Literacy and ESOL program components of Women's Circle.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thewomenscircle
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/womens-circle-inc

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 Women's Circle