Global Sisterhood
Global Sisterhood is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 that operates a community-led women's empowerment platform, delivering tiered memberships, charity partnerships across 17+ organizations globally, and content via Inspiring Lives Magazine and Empowering Women Radio.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersPittsburgh, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Global Sisterhood does
Global Sisterhood is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by Dr. Shellie Hipsky. It operates a community-led women's empowerment platform serving over 1,000 members across the United States, Africa, and South Asia. Its core activities include a three-tier annual membership program (Garnet at $100, Ruby at $500, Diamond at $1,300), a portfolio of 17+ charity partnerships with nonprofits in Tanzania, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, Ghana, Haiti, and multiple U.S. locations, and content distribution through Inspiring Lives Magazine, Empowering Women Radio (syndicated to 120+ stations), and the NBC television show "Inspiring Lives with Dr. Shellie." The organization also publishes the Amazon International Best-Selling Common Threads Trilogy by Dr. Hipsky.
The underlying technology stack is a web-based platform hosted at globalsisterhoodonline.org with social media integration via Facebook and Instagram; no proprietary software, AI/ML capabilities, mobile app, or API surface is evident. Revenue mechanics are diversified across four streams: subscription-style membership fees, tax-deductible donations processed via PayPal, corporate sponsorships and magazine advertising, and one-time merchandise sales (annual calendar via PayPal, GS Shop on Zazzle). Programs are delivered through flagship events (Global Gala and Mastermind, Global Sisterhood Summit, She-roes) and ongoing initiatives including #PopUpGiving urgent-need funding and the Next Gen Global Sisterhood youth division.
The organization employs 1-10 staff and is governed by a 12-member Executive Board of Directors led by founder Dr. Shellie Hipsky as Executive Director. Notable quantifiable outcomes include raising over $100,000 for the Homeless Children's Education Fund over a decade, supporting literacy programs reaching 80,000+ women in Nepal, assisting 900+ women veterans and their children across 30+ U.S. states, and producing 1,000+ masks during COVID-19 through women entrepreneurs in Tanzania. It does not publicly disclose revenue and has no disclosed parent company, private equity backing, or public listing.
Global Sisterhood firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Global Sisterhood
- Legal name
- Global Sisterhood, Inc.
- Website
- https://globalsisterhoodonline.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Global Sisterhood is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 that operates a community-led women's empowerment platform, delivering tiered memberships, charity partnerships across 17+ organizations globally, and content via Inspiring Lives Magazine and Empowering Women Radio.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Global Sisterhood industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Women's Empowerment Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment (BPAGABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB), Volunteer Program Funding, Scholarships & Fundraising Support (EDAIAGAO)
Keywords
Where Global Sisterhood is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Global Sisterhood business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Three-tiered annual membership model: Garnet ($100), Ruby ($500), and Diamond ($1,300). Garnet includes monthly Inspiring Lives Magazine subscription, member discounts, and business directory listing. Ruby adds company logo and direct link. Diamond includes member discounts, featured magazine article, and digital cover feature.
- Donations: Tax-deductible donations to 501(c)(3) organization via PayPal. Donors receive recognition. Over a thousand women strong community makes collective impact through need requests.
- Corporate Sponsorships & Advertising: Companies and foundations align missions through sponsoring events, advertising in Inspiring Lives Magazine, and direct donations. Custom partnership arrangements negotiated based on organizational needs.
- Calendar Sales: Global Sisterhood 2025 Calendar available for purchase via PayPal. Proceeds fund educational resources, networking events, and empowerment programs for women and girls globally.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Garnet Membership - $100/year: Basic membership with magazine subscription and directory listing |
| Subscription | Annual | Ruby Membership - $500/year: Enhanced listing with logo and direct business link |
| Subscription | Annual | Diamond Membership - $1,300/year: Premium membership with magazine features and event recognition |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Global Sisterhood product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Global Sisterhood operates a women-focused empowerment platform that combines a tiered annual membership program (Garnet, Ruby, Diamond), tax-deductible donation-funded charity partnerships with 17+ international organizations, and content distribution through Inspiring Lives Magazine, Empowering Women Radio, and an NBC television show. It also produces annual events such as the Global Gala and Mastermind and the Global Sisterhood Summit, sells merchandise including an annual calendar, and channels member contributions toward vetted need requests and programs supporting women and girls in literacy, entrepreneurship, homelessness, and domestic violence recovery.
Product overview
The Global Sisterhood is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a women-focused empowerment platform. The organization provides a tiered membership program (Garnet, Ruby, Diamond), publishes Inspiring Lives Magazine, produces the annual Global Sisterhood Summit and Global Gala and Mastermind event, hosts Empowering Women Radio (syndicated to 120+ stations) and Inspiring Lives with Dr. Shellie TV show (NBC), and supports women through Charity Partnerships with initiatives like #PopUpGiving. Merchandise includes the Global Sisterhood 2025 Calendar and GS Shop products via Zazzle. Dr. Shellie Hipsky's Common Threads Trilogy of international bestsellers was born from the organization's $13K Kickstarter campaign.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Inspiring Lives International: Parent company of Global Sisterhood; CEO Dr. Shellie Hipsky also serves as CEO of Inspiring Lives International and Executive Director of Global Sisterhood 501(c)(3)
- Inspiring Lives Magazine
- Common Threads Trilogy
- #PopUpGiving
- Next Gen Global Sisterhood
- She-roes
- EmpowerU Master Class
- Global Sisterhood Calendar
Products and services
- Global Sisterhood Membership Program Annual tiered membership offering three levels — Garnet at $100 (Inspiring Lives Magazine subscription, member discounts, business directory listing), Ruby at $500 (adds company logo and direct business link), and Diamond at $1,300 (adds featured magazine article and digital cover feature). Membership is offered to women and supporters globally seeking networking, mentorship, and visibility.
- Common Threads Trilogy International bestselling book trilogy by Dr. Shellie Hipsky covering inspiration, empowerment, and balance, based on 100 extraordinary interviews from Empowering Women Radio. Reached the Amazon International Best Sellers list.
- Global Sisterhood 2025 Calendar Annual calendar poster featuring 12 months of inspiring photos of Global Sisterhood members, sold via PayPal with proceeds funding educational resources, networking events, and empowerment programs for women and girls globally.
- GS Shop (Global Sisterhood merchandise store) Branded merchandise storefront hosted on Zazzle offering Global Sisterhood products for purchase by supporters and members.
- Inspiring Lives Magazine Official magazine of the Global Sisterhood, published monthly online and edited by Dr. Shellie Hipsky. Features stories of women leaders, charity partner profiles, and empowerment content. Subscription included with Garnet Membership and above.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80,000+ women taught to read and write
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Global Sisterhood
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Global Sisterhood technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Global Sisterhood partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Karagwe Vijana Development and Poverty Alleviation (KVDPA)coreSponsored project of Global Sisterhood supporting women and youth in rural Tanzania. Women entrepreneurs create school uniforms, reusable sanitary napkins, and clothing line. Received foundation grant enabling Global Sisterhood Entrepreneur Center with sewing machines and computers. During COVID-19, created 1,000+ masks and clean water supplies.
- Treasure House FashionscoreNonprofit promoting dignity of women in transition. Donated over $500,000 worth of clothing in 2018. Global Sisterhood members volunteer as 'shoppers' with women in need. Co-hosted Mommy Makeover events for homeless single mothers.
- Meena Didi Women Education and Literacy ProjectcoreSupports Dr. Meena Singh Khadka teaching 80,000+ women in Nepal to read and write. Global Sisterhood provided funding for computer, teacher training, and Global Sisterhood Tea House. EmpowerU Master Class scholarship provided to Dr. Meena.
- Milagros Day WorldwidecoreFirst recipient of Global Sisterhood's Charity Partnership funds. Helped send 25 domestic violence survivors to Bootcamp Retreat. Connected to hundreds of international resources. During COVID-19, received domestic abuse survivor support funding.
- Leave No Girl Behind (LNGB) InternationalcoreGirls' empowerment organization in South Africa founded by Haseena Patel. #NextGenGlobalSisterhood presented $1,000 for LNGB Leadership School. Dr. Shellie has mentored girls in South Africa for years. She-roes Event held in New Jersey.
- Zion Educational CentercoreYouth development center (ages 1-13) in Farrell, Pennsylvania. Only Keystone STARS facility in Mercer County. Dr. April Torrence is founding board member and Director of Fundraising and Grants for Global Sisterhood. Received book donations and rocking chair for trauma-affected children.
- Zephaniah Free Education CentercoreFree education center in rural Pakistan founded by Sister Zeph at age 13. 200 students receive 12 years of free education; 300 women annually learn skills. Global Sisterhood raised over $5,000 enabling move from tents to brick-and-mortar school. Supported technology and school safety needs.
- Sisters PlacecoreOrganization helping families overcome poverty and homelessness in Pittsburgh. Supports single homeless mothers. Global Sisterhood gathered donated goods and served as media sponsor for Crushed Grapes fundraising event. COVID-19 support provided.
- Final SalutecoreProvides safe housing for homeless women Veterans. Assisted 900+ women Veterans and children across 30+ states. Over 10,000 housing days provided. Global Sisterhood donated to provide housing, food, clothing, healthcare, and employment support for women Veterans.
- Education PartnershipcoreProvides school supplies for students and teachers in low-income schools in Southwestern PA. Global Sisterhood has conducted school supply drives and redistributes items to other Charity Partners, reducing waste while meeting needs.
- Angels' Place, InccoreProvides family support and early childhood education for parents in need. Donated diapers and paper towels. Supported Janae who went on to receive Ph.D. while Angel's Place provided childcare.
- Tamale Super Ladies and Women EntrepreneurscoreEmpowerment organization in Tamale, Ghana. Global Ambassador Rev. Nettie Jordina delivered sewing machines, books, and iPad. Sewing machines created women's entrepreneurial cooperative. 45 pairs of soccer boots provided to soccer team who became champions.
- Homeless Children's Education FundcoreAdvancing education of children experiencing homelessness in Southwestern PA. Dr. Shellie raised over $100,000 over decade through cabaret performances. Next Gen Global Sisterhood stuffed backpacks. COVID-19 September Charity Partnership donation.
- Orphans International WorldwidecoreHelps orphaned children grow into global citizens through education. 2017 event at World Heritage Cultural Center in NYC displayed #NextGenGlobalSisterhood artwork while raising funds. Supporting orphans globally through education and vocational opportunities.
- Mission From MarscoreSunday lunch ministry feeds 150+ homeless people weekly in Pittsburgh. Created donation drives collecting clothing, backpacks, blankets, sleeping bags, and comfort bags. #PopUpGiving thrown baby shower for new mother in need.
- Real Beauty Real Women Foundation/Break the CyclecoreBridges fashion entertainment with social activism. Co-hosted Survivor to Thriver fashion show for domestic violence survivors. Featured on TV show Inspiring Lives, Empowering Women Radio, and Inspiring Lives Magazine cover. Joint work on Skid Row in Los Angeles.
- HOPE B~LITcoreValues-based education organization in Los Angeles. Movie featuring children fighting cancer featured in Inspiring Lives Magazine. Connection based on love and global family values. Continuing to support Hope B~Lit movement.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Global Sisterhood competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- HeyMama: Membership-based professional community for working mothers with tiered subscriptions and events. Comparable as a digital-first, tiered-membership women's empowerment community with paid subscriptions and curated event programming.
- Girl Rising: Nonprofit using storytelling and media to drive girls' education globally. Comparable in media-driven content engine (films, radio, social) used to fundraise for international girls' empowerment and education programs.
Broad incumbents
- Dress for Success Worldwide: Global nonprofit empowering women through professional attire, career development, and support services. Comparable as a women's-empowerment nonprofit with a global affiliate network, membership/donor model, and corporate sponsorship pipeline.
- Malala Fund: Leading girls' education nonprofit founded by Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai. Comparable as a women-and-girls empowerment nonprofit with international programming, donor-funded operations, and media-driven advocacy model.
- Vital Voices Global Partnership: International nonprofit identifying and investing in women leaders solving global challenges. Comparable as a grantmaking and fellowship nonprofit with cross-border women-focused programs and high-profile media partnerships.
- Women for Women International: Nonprofit serving women survivors of war and conflict with training and support. Comparable as a women-focused grantmaking/charitable nonprofit with international programs in Africa and Asia and donor-membership support model.
Direct peers
- Ellevate Network: Global professional women's network with tiered membership and community events. Comparable in tiered paid-membership model, business directory exposure, event programming, and women-focused content publishing.
- National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): U.S. membership organization for women business owners with tiered dues, directory listings, and events. Directly comparable in tiered membership structure, business directory exposure, and women-focused event programming.
- Lean In Foundation: Nonprofit founded by Sheryl Sandberg offering women's empowerment circles, education, and community. Directly comparable as a membership/community-driven women's empowerment platform with corporate partnership programming and content distribution.
Regional players
- Women's Media Center: Nonprofit working to amplify women's voices in media. Comparable as a women's-advocacy nonprofit with content/media programming (magazine features, interviews), editorial leadership model, and donor-supported operations.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Global Sisterhood social profiles
Digital presenceGlobal Sisterhood financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Global Sisterhood leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Global Sisterhood funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Global Sisterhood M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Global Sisterhood
What does Global Sisterhood do?
Global Sisterhood operates a women-focused empowerment platform that combines a tiered annual membership program (Garnet, Ruby, Diamond), tax-deductible donation-funded charity partnerships with 17+ international organizations, and content distribution through Inspiring Lives Magazine, Empowering Women Radio, and an NBC television show. It also produces annual events such as the Global Gala and Mastermind and the Global Sisterhood Summit, sells merchandise including an annual calendar, and channels member contributions toward vetted need requests and programs supporting women and girls in literacy, entrepreneurship, homelessness, and domestic violence recovery.
Is Global Sisterhood a public or private company?
Global Sisterhood is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Global Sisterhood founded?
Global Sisterhood was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Global Sisterhood based?
Global Sisterhood is headquartered in Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does Global Sisterhood make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations, corporate Sponsorships & Advertising and calendar Sales.
Who are Global Sisterhood's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are HeyMama and Girl Rising. Broad incumbents are Dress for Success Worldwide, Malala Fund, Vital Voices Global Partnership and Women for Women International. Direct peers are Ellevate Network, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and Lean In Foundation. Women's Media Center is listed as a regional player.
Does Global Sisterhood have an API?
No public API is recorded for Global Sisterhood.
What industry is Global Sisterhood in?
Global Sisterhood's product category is Women's Empowerment Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAF, Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAE, Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8300.