Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation

What Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation does

Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 and headquartered in Washington D.C., dedicated to advancing the representation and influence of women of color in international peace, security, and conflict transformation policy. The organization serves women of color across career stages, from undergraduates and graduate students (Pipeline Fellowship, Young Ambassador Program) through early-career professionals (En Voz Alta/EVA for Latinas) to senior leaders (Board Fellows Program with the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists), with member chapters in Canada, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Washington State, and Brasil.

WCAPS operates an interconnected portfolio of community and content programs rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include cohort-based mentorship fellowships (Pipeline Fellowship operates with ~15 mentees per cycle; Board Fellows places 2 fellows annually), specialized working groups on topics ranging from Africa Region to Space Security and Cybersecurity, regional chapters for community engagement, the WCAPS Podcast (now in Season 4), a Substack newsletter, and policy publications including UNSCR 1325 policy briefs and the WCAPS Paper Trail series. The underlying technology stack is a website-based platform (Squarespace-hosted at wcaps.org) supporting content, podcast distribution (Spotify, Apple Podcasts), and virtual events via Zoom.

The organization's business model is community-led and donation- plus membership-supported. Revenue streams consist of a newly launched tiered paid membership program (annual billing, specific prices undisclosed), individual donations through the Givecloud platform and Feeding America fundraising initiatives, and an annual Collective Power Gala fundraising event. WCAPS has no disclosed institutional investors, no parent company, and no enterprise customers; its partner relationships (Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Women in Global Health, Bridges Faith Initiatives, Feeding America, The Carter Center) are programmatic rather than commercial. The organization holds a four-star Charity Navigator rating and was founded by Ambassador Bonnie Denise Jenkins, former U.S. Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security.

Name

Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation

Legal name

Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation

Website

https://wcaps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WCAPS is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 that runs mentorship fellowships, regional chapters, working groups, and policy publications to advance women of color in international peace, security, and conflict transformation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Advocacy & Professional Development

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Professional Organizations (813920), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAC

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

Keywords

• Peace and security policy
• Women leadership development
• Nonprofit advocacy
• Professional mentorship programs
• Conflict transformation

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: WCAPS launched a tiered, paid membership model designed to sustain the organization's mission and ensure women of color continue to lead conversations in peace and security. The membership structure allows WCAPS to remain independent and community-powered.
2. Donations and Fundraising: WCAPS accepts donations through Givecloud platform and runs fundraising campaigns such as the Feeding America fundraiser. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with EIN 82-253184, making donations tax-deductible.
3. Collective Power Gala: Annual fundraising gala event that serves as a key revenue generation initiative for the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WCAPS is a nonprofit organization that provides professional development, mentorship, and advocacy programs for women of color pursuing or working in peace, security, and conflict transformation fields. Its core offerings include fellowship and mentorship programs (Pipeline Fellowship, En Voz Alta, Young Ambassador, Board Fellows), community-building through working groups and regional chapters, and thought leadership through publications, podcasts, and the Art Forum.

Product overview

Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS) is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the Pipeline Fellowship Program for emerging professionals, En Voz Alta (EVA) for Latina mentorship, the Young Ambassador Program for youth leadership, Board Fellows Program in partnership with the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the Every Woman Matrix for gender equity advocacy, The WCAPS Podcast for thought leadership, and the Art Forum for creative expression. WCAPS also maintains Working Groups on specialized topics (Africa, Global Health, Cybersecurity, Space Security, etc.) and Regional Chapters across North America, Africa, India, and Brasil. Publications include policy papers, academic articles, and practitioner essays on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda and related topics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pipeline Fellowship Program A five-month fellowship program established in 2020 to empower women of color pursuing careers in peace, security, and conflict transformation, featuring workshops, UN-style simulations, professional development, publication opportunities, and networking. Operates with 15 mentees per cohort.
• En Voz Alta (EVA) Program A mentorship initiative connecting Latina early-career professionals and students with experienced Latina mentors and allies in the peace and security field, featuring bi-weekly mentorship, portfolio building, and networking sessions.
• Young Ambassador Program A platform for young women of color to develop experiences and passions in global leadership through mentorship, blogs, podcasts, webinars, and joint programming in peace, security, and conflict transformation.
• Board Fellows Program A professional development partnership with the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists offering rising leaders experience in organizational governance, board deliberations, and leadership development in nuclear risk, climate change, and disruptive technologies. Places 2 fellows annually.
• Every Woman Matrix A platform empowering women to break barriers of race and unite for freedom and equality, inspiring dialogues on global issues impacting women and promoting gender equity and inclusion in peace and security.
• The WCAPS Podcast A podcast series exploring the transformative journey of women of color in peace, security, and conflict transformation, featuring conversations with trailblazers redefining global security. Distributed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
• Art Forum A program creating safe space to encourage new ways of understanding how issues of peace, security, and conflict affect women of color globally through art showcases and panel discussions.
• WCAPS Publications Policy papers, academic articles, practitioners' essays, and reports covering topics including UNSCR 1325, racism and discrimination, mentorship guides, and media advocacy toolkits.
• Working Groups Specialized groups focused on specific regions and topics including Africa Region, Global Environmental Governance, Global Sustainable Development, Redefining National Security, Space Security, Global Health, Cybersecurity, and Human Rights.
• Regional Chapters Local chapters in Canada, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Washington State, and Brasil providing community-based engagement and advocacy for women of color in peace and security.
• Mental Health Program A program dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of women of color in peace and security professions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple WCAPS members placed on CSIS/DINSN National Security & Foreign Affairs Leadership List
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bulletin of the Atomic ScientistscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCAPS has partnered with the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists for the Board Fellows Program. This professional development opportunity in organizational leadership is designed to increase the skill-base and diversity of future leaders in nuclear risk, climate change, disruptive technologies, and not-for-profit journalism. The fellowship provides access to the Board of Directors and supports next-generation cohort of confident and experienced organizational leaders.
• Women in Global Health (WIGH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCAPS partnered with Women in Global Health for initiative #Operation5050 to compile and promote a larger list of women of color experts working in global health and pandemic preparedness.
• The Carter CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Carter Center hosted the WCAPS Art Forum event 'Redefining National Security for Women of Color: How Art Influences Policy-Making' at their Cyprus Room location in Atlanta, GA.
• Feeding AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWCAPS partnered with Feeding America for the Giving Back initiative, supporting food insecurity relief. Donations help provide meals through the Feeding America network of food banks.
• Bridges Faith InitiativesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCAPS Human Rights Working Group hosted an event with Bridges Faith Initiatives on 'Refugees and Immigrants in the United States' to discuss policy and advocacy.
• Cultural InfusionminorOthersCultural Infusion supported the travel of 85 members of the Pusuru Indigenous Association (Munduruku people) from Brazil to attend COP30 in Belém.
• The Crescendo GroupminorOthersAmy Chin from The Crescendo Group hosted the #IAmRemarkable workshop, originally a Google initiative, which empowers women, BIPOC, and underrepresented groups to celebrate their achievements.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Inclusive Security: Inclusive Security (formerly Women Waging Peace) advances women's participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution globally. Both organizations prioritize under-represented women in peace processes and produce policy/practitioner content for the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.
• WILPF (Women's International League for Peace and Freedom): WILPF is the oldest women-led peace and security organization globally, with sections in dozens of countries. WCAPS shares WILPF's focus on women in peace and security, advocacy on conflict and disarmament, and chapter-based organizing model.
• Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP): GNWP is a coalition of women peacebuilders, particularly in conflict-affected countries, advocating for women's participation in peace processes. WCAPS overlaps through its UNSCR 1325 publications, working groups on conflict-affected regions, and chapters in Ghana, Nigeria, India, and Brasil.
• National Council of Negro Women (NCNW): NCNW is a U.S.-based advocacy organization advancing the rights and leadership of African American women, with sections and programming spanning policy, education, and economic empowerment. WCAPS's focus on women of color in policy domains overlaps directly with NCNW's mission and community-led structure.
• National Coalition of 100 Black Women: The National Coalition of 100 Black Women is a nonprofit advocacy and leadership organization for African American women, with chapters focused on health, education, and economic empowerment. The chapter-based model and women-of-color leadership development mission parallel WCAPS's structure.
• Women In International Security (WIIS): WIIS is the most directly comparable organization: a global nonprofit advancing women's leadership in international peace and security. Both WCAPS and WIIS focus on women in national security and foreign policy, run fellowship/mentorship programs, and publish policy content — making WIIS the closest functional peer.

Broad incumbents

• International Women's Forum (IWF): IWF is a global membership network of senior women leaders across sectors, including policy and security. Compared with WCAPS, IWF serves a broader and more senior demographic, but it is a benchmark for what a paid women-in-leadership membership model looks like at scale.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Carnegie Endowment is a major international affairs think tank with substantial Women, Peace, and Security programming. As a broad incumbent in WCAPS's policy domain, Carnegie sets the bar for policy research influence WCAPS aspires to in its publications.

Emerging players

• African Women in Leadership Organization (AWLO): AWLO is a membership-based nonprofit developing the next generation of African women leaders across the continent and diaspora. With WCAPS's Ghana, Nigeria, and Brasil chapters, AWLO is a strong regional peer focused on similar leadership-development programming.

Others

• Alliance for Peacebuilding: The Alliance for Peacebuilding is a coalition of peacebuilding organizations that convenes the broader U.S. peacebuilding field. WCAPS is adjacent through its Human Rights, Africa, and conflict transformation working groups and would engage as a member of this ecosystem rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wcapsnet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGvKhPOzthHW5xTZShm04rg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women-of-color-advancing-peace-security-and-conflict-transformation
• Facebookfacebook.com/wcapsnet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation