Women's Empowerment International

What Women's Empowerment International does

Women's Empowerment International (WE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grantmaking organization founded in 2003 and headquartered in San Diego, California. Its operating model is indirect: WE does not run programs itself but raises donations and redistributes them as grants to a vetted portfolio of approximately 20 nonprofit partner organizations that deliver economic-empowerment services directly to women living in poverty. Over 20 years WE has cumulatively directed more than $3 million in grants to partners in roughly 10 countries, including the United States, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti, Uganda, Nepal, Guatemala, Ghana, Benin, and Puerto Rico. The portfolio spans microfinance, small-business development, financial-literacy training, vocational education, and adjacent barrier-breaking supports such as sanitation and arts entrepreneurship.

WE's "products" are therefore not software but a curated set of donor-funded programs: the WE STAR business incubator with International Rescue Committee San Diego (serving 165+ immigrant/refugee women annually and supporting 890+ businesses cumulatively), the Grandmother Microfinance Program in Uganda with Nyaka (documented 285% ROI within 36 months and 480% ROI over four years for grandmother-led households), the Empowering Female Entrepreneurs microlending program in Honduras with Adelante Foundation, the ESTIMA microfinance-and-health program with Los Niños de Baja California/Via International in Tijuana, the Women's Literacy Program with Sunsar Maya serving 300 women in Nepal, and newer 2026 pilots with OEF El Salvador, Urban Corps of San Diego County, Tipey Joa Native Warriors, Rooted Wisdom Africa, SDSU School of Social Work, and Buhoma Community Conservation & Development Initiative. Measurement is handled via the internal WISE (Women's Impact, Sustainability & Empowerment Project) framework covering Financial Literacy, Provider Role, Decision Making, and Business Sustainability.

WE funds itself through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, signature events (the Empowered WE Rise fall fundraiser at $150 per ticket and Bloom Together International Women's Day brunch), giving circles in San Diego-area communities, and volunteer-led fundraising. The organization is led by Executive Director Sarah Adams (former Senior Regional Director at Operation Homefront with a Master's in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of San Diego) and Development Coordinator Sophie Pauken (formerly with Chemonics and Winrock). Operating capacity is intentionally lean — 1-10 staff supplemented by volunteers, including a Treasurer, Copywriting, CPA Advisor, Marketing, Social Media, and Special Events committee roles. Co-founders Win Cox and Leigh Fenly remain associated with the organization, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024 and received the IRC San Diego Philanthropy Partner of the Year award plus a City of San Marcos gender-equality proclamation.

Name

Women's Empowerment International

Legal name

Women's Empowerment International

Website

https://womenempowerment.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Women's Empowerment International is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises donations and redistributes them as grants to roughly 20 vetted partner organizations delivering microfinance, business development, and financial-literacy programs to women experiencing poverty in 10 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Economic Empowerment Nonprofit / International Development Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAE

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGABAF

Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/International Development & Poverty Alleviation

SECONDARYBPAGABAA

Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/International Development & Poverty Alleviation

SECONDARYBPADAOAB

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors)

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Donor Coordination, Grantmaking & Development Finance Programs

Keywords

• Women economic empowerment
• Microfinance grants
• Nonprofit grantmaking
• Small business development
• Financial literacy training

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: WE operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises money through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, event fundraising, and grants to fund economic empowerment programs for women globally. The organization distributes grants to partner organizations rather than generating revenue from products or services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels11 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Women's Empowerment International (WE) is a 501(c)(3) grantmaking nonprofit that raises donations and distributes them to vetted nonprofit partner organizations running economic empowerment programs for women experiencing poverty. Programs funded include microloans, small business development support, financial literacy training, vocational education, and literacy programs delivered through 20 partners in 10 countries. WE also operates signature fundraising events (Empowered WE Rise Fall Fundraiser, Bloom Together) and measures impact through its proprietary WISE framework.

Product overview

Women's Empowerment International (WE) is a nonprofit grant-making organization that provides economic empowerment programs for women experiencing poverty. Rather than a unified software platform, WE operates a portfolio of grant-funded programs including microfinance initiatives (WISE impact measurement framework, Grandmother Microfinance Program, ESTIMA Program), business development services (WE STAR Program, Empowering Female Entrepreneurs Program, Auto Tech Training Program), educational programs (Women's Literacy Program, Financial Literacy Training, Reaching Women Experiencing Homelessness), and community engagement events (Empowered WE Rise Annual Fundraiser, Bloom Together International Women's Day Celebration). The organization funds these programs through partnerships with 20+ nonprofit organizations across 10 countries, primarily in San Diego, Central America, Africa, and Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WISE (Women's Impact, Sustainability & Empowerment Project) A data-driven impact measurement framework developed by WE to evaluate how funding of micro-loans, financial training, and social supports leads to sustained improvements in women's lives. WISE measures progress across four core areas: Financial Literacy, Change in Provider Role, Change in Decision Making, and Business Sustainability.
• Microfinance Programs WE funds micro-loan programs through partner organizations, providing small business capital to women experiencing poverty in San Diego and internationally, enabling them to start or expand businesses.
• Financial Literacy Training Education programs teaching women about saving, budgeting, banking practices, self-care, nutrition, and violence prevention to build financial capability and independence.
• WE STAR Program A business incubator and entrepreneurship program funded by WE grants, operating through the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in San Diego. The program provides business planning support, financial literacy education, digital marketing strategies, and core entrepreneurial skills to help women achieve economic self-sufficiency.
• Empowering Female Entrepreneurs Program A microloan program operated by Adelante Foundation in Honduras, providing business development support and loans to women in rural, under-resourced communities to start and grow small businesses.
• Auto Tech Training Program for Female Corpsmembers An automotive repair training program for female Corpsmembers at Urban Corps of San Diego County, providing foundational and advanced skills, mentorship, certification preparation, and vehicle down payment assistance to increase employability.
• ESTIMA Program A gender-equity and microfinance program for women engaged in sex work in Tijuana, Mexico, integrating microloans with health education. Funded by WE and implemented by Los Niños de Baja California, the program provides $200 initial loans, financial literacy training, and support for small businesses.
• Grandmother Microfinance Program A partnership with Nyaka in Uganda providing microloans, training, and support to grandmothers caring for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, enabling them to establish businesses and improve household income.
• Reaching Women Experiencing Homelessness: An Economic Empowerment & Recovery Project A pilot program with SDSU School of Social Work offering 12-week group sessions for women experiencing homelessness in downtown San Diego, providing pathways to stability, financial literacy, job readiness, and economic empowerment.
• Women's Literacy Program A program with Sunsar Maya in Nepal providing literacy lessons in Nepali and English, numeracy skills, vocational training (soap-making, tailoring, business skills), and farming initiatives to 300 women ages 18-70 living in extreme poverty.
• Empowered WE Rise Annual Fundraiser WE's signature annual fall fundraiser event bringing together the community to support women around the world, featuring inspiring stories, food, drinks, music, silent and live auctions, and a Market Fair with WE-supported women entrepreneurs.
• Bloom Together: International Women's Day Celebration An annual International Women's Day celebration event featuring community, creativity, and support for women and girls, with event proceeds benefiting WE grants for economic empowerment programs.
• W.E.A.V.E. (Women's Empowerment through Arts and Vital Enterprise) A program with Tipey Joa Native Warriors supporting Indigenous women across the Baja and Southern California border region with skills in traditional arts, entrepreneurship, and business management to strengthen communities and preserve culture.
• Stitching Futures Program A program with Rooted Wisdom Africa in rural south-central Uganda providing women and girls with vocational training in sewing and business skills to produce reusable sanitary pads, school uniforms, and mosquito nets.
• Batwa Entrepreneurship Program An entrepreneurship and skill-building program with Buhoma Community Conservation & Development Initiative serving women in the Batwa Indigenous community in Uganda, providing sewing machines and microloans for start-up capital.

Quantifiable outcome

• 285% return on investment within 36 months for grandmother-led households through Nyaka program ($40 invested yields significant returns)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, minor and past.

• Tipey Joa Native WarriorsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026WE funds Women's Empowerment through Arts and Vital Enterprise (W.E.A.V.E.) program for Indigenous women across the Baja and Southern California border region. 2026 grant amount: $10,000. Program addresses poverty and threats to cultural preservation through traditional arts, entrepreneurship, and business management.
• Rooted Wisdom Africa (Uganda)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026WE funds Stitching Futures Program in rural south-central Uganda. 2026 grant amount: $8,000. Pilot program provides women and girls with vocational training in sewing and business skills to produce reusable sanitary pads, school uniforms, and mosquito nets.
• SDSU School of Social WorkflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026WE funds pilot program designed by Dr. Urada's team reaching women experiencing homelessness in downtown San Diego. 2026 grant amount: $10,000. 12-week series helps participants access resources, improve financial literacy, and job readiness.
• Sunsar Maya (Nepal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026WE funds Women's Literacy Program providing literacy, numeracy, and vocational training to 300 women ages 18-70 in Nepal. Program addresses gender roles, caste-based discrimination, and geographic isolation through literacy lessons, soap-making, tailoring, business skills, and farming initiative.
• Buhoma Community Conservation & Development Initiative (Uganda)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026WE provides one-time grant of $2,000 for entrepreneurship and skill-building program for women in the Batwa Indigenous community. Funds support purchase of sewing machines and microloans for start-up capital.
• Mission Federal Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partner supporting Urban Corps with financial literacy training and counseling to ensure Corpsmembers can continue with insurance and loan payments for vehicle purchases.
• OEF de El SalvadorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022WE funds OEF's Entrepreneurial and Empowered Women Program serving 400 women ages 18-50 living in 14 rural and urban communities in Chalatenango, Sonsonate, San Vicente, and Usulutan. 2026 grant amount: $20,000. Program combines training, inclusive microloans, seed capital, and technical follow-up.
• Urban Corps of San Diego CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022WE funds Auto Tech Training Program for Female Corpsmembers and vehicle down payment assistance since 2022. 2026 grant amount: $20,000. Program supports female Corpsmembers experiencing poverty, homelessness, and other barriers to financial stability.
• Nyaka (Uganda)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014WE supports Nyaka's Grandmother Microfinance Program since 2014, providing vital loan funding to grandmothers caring for children who have lost parents to HIV/AIDS. 2026 grant amount: $51,000. Documented 285% ROI within 36 months for grandmother-led households.
• Los Niños de Baja California/Via International (Mexico)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014WE funds ESTIMA program (microfinance with health education for sex workers) and Via Migrante solidarity groups for women in Tijuana, including Indigenous Women Groups and Deported/Vulnerable Women Groups. 2026 grant amount: $30,000 serving at least 64 women.
• Fonkoze (Haiti) - Past PartnerpastStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Former WE partner supporting Boutik Sante community health store program for women microfinance clients. Program trained Community Health Entrepreneurs (CHEs) to conduct health screenings and sell health products in rural Haiti.
• Via InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014WE funds multiple programs through Via International including ESTIMA (microfinance with health education for sex workers) and Via Migrante solidarity groups. Via operates under Los Niños de Baja California umbrella.
• Adelante Foundation (Honduras)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007WE funds Adelante's Empowering Female Entrepreneurs program providing microloans to women in rural Honduras since 2007. Programs expand access to financial inclusion and economic opportunity, with WE supporting expansion to new communities including Campamento serving over 70 women directly.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC) San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006WE has funded IRC's WE STAR Program since 2006, the longest-standing partnership. IRC's business incubator in San Diego and El Cajon has enabled women to start and strengthen over 890 local businesses. 2026 grant amount: $50,000 serving at least 165 women annually.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kiva: Kiva operates a global crowdfunded micro-lending platform that channels capital to women entrepreneurs in low-income communities internationally — directly comparable to WE's microfinance-via-partner grantmaking model.
• Trickle Up: Trickle Up partners with local NGOs to deliver extreme-poverty economic inclusion and livelihoods programming for women — closely aligned with WE's partner-distributed economic empowerment model.
• Global Fund for Women: Global Fund for Women is a grantmaking foundation funding women's rights and economic empowerment organizations globally — structurally similar to WE's intermediary grantmaking approach focused on women's economic participation.
• Women's World Banking: Women's World Banking is dedicated to women's financial inclusion and economic empowerment through institutional partnerships and program funding — overlapping WE's mission of expanding women's access to capital.
• MADRE: MADRE partners with women-led organizations to advance economic and social rights internationally — overlapping as a small grantmaking nonprofit funding women's empowerment through partner organizations.
• Mama Cash: Mama Cash is an international women's rights grantmaking foundation funding grassroots organizations led by women — comparable as a women's-focused grantmaking intermediary with international partner distribution.
• Grameen Foundation: Grameen Foundation funds and supports microfinance institutions serving women in poverty globally — directly comparable microfinance-and-economic-empowerment grantmaking focused on women.

Broad incumbents

• CARE: CARE operates large-scale women's economic empowerment programs globally as part of a broader humanitarian portfolio — broader incumbent that overlaps WE's women-focused economic empowerment work.
• Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps runs economic empowerment programs for women in fragile contexts internationally — broad incumbent with overlapping microfinance/livelihoods work delivered through local partners.

Emerging players

• Kiva Microfunds: Kiva's microlending operations intersect directly with WE-funded microloan partners (Fonkoze/Nyaka/Adelante) — comparable as an emerging channel for the same end-borrowers WE funds indirectly.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WomensEmpowermentInternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/womenempowerment
• Instagraminstagram.com/women_intl
• Xx.com/we_intl

Compliance2 records

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 Empowerment International