Women Who Lead

What Women Who Lead does

Women Who Lead is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, membership-based women's community organization founded in September 2017 in Hays, Kansas (originally as Wonder Women League). The organization operates as a hyper-local volunteer-driven entity serving Ellis County, Kansas, with a membership of 160+ women who contribute through annual dues, volunteer hours, and project participation. Its core offerings are community programs rather than technology products, including: signature projects (Power of the Purse annual fundraiser, Project Suitcase for foster-care children, Matthew's Gift for emergency medical transport families, and post-secondary scholarships for young women), along with the Supporting Our Students (SOS) program addressing K-12 family insecurities, elder care programs across senior living facilities, food security initiatives, and a multi-year Sunrise Park community improvement project. The organization operates with no proprietary technology platform, relying instead on standard web tools (WordPress, Cheddar Up, Cognito Forms) for operations.

The business model is diversified across four revenue streams: (1) the annual Power of the Purse gala and auction, described as the primary fundraiser generating the majority of revenue; (2) tiered membership dues ranging from $25 (Junior) to $1,000+ (Rose Gold); (3) tiered corporate sponsorships ranging from $500 (Pollinator Bee) to $25,000+ (Bee Terrific), anchored by the Schmidt Foundation and City of Hays; and (4) directed donations and gifts for specific projects. Pricing is publicly disclosed across all tiers. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth referrals, local events, social media (Facebook), email newsletters, and partnerships with schools, healthcare facilities, and community organizations. Women Who Lead became an independent 501(c)(3) in September 2023, separating from the United Way of Ellis County umbrella, and was renamed from Wonder Women League to Women Who Lead in October 2023 due to a trademark conflict with DC Comics. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by President Nancy Jeter, with a leadership team spanning local employers across financial services, healthcare, energy, education, and civic organizations.

Name

Women Who Lead

Legal name

Women Who Lead

Website

https://womenwholead.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Women Who Lead is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization in Hays, Kansas, connecting 160+ women through annual dues, sponsorships, and the Power of the Purse fundraiser to deliver 75+ annual community projects covering food security, youth support, elder care, mental health, and park improvements across Ellis County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Nonprofit Services

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Community nonprofit services
• Women's leadership organization
• Community volunteer programs
• Charitable fundraising events
• Community impact programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Hays

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Power of the Purse Fundraiser: Annual gala featuring donated handbags, raffle, silent auction, and live auction. This is the primary fundraiser generating the majority of revenue to fund all community projects.
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership contributions across tiered levels (Junior $25, Chrome $50-99, Copper $100-249, Bronze $250-499, Silver $500-749, Gold $750-999, Rose Gold $1,000+). These recurring dues fund organizational operations and projects.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Annual corporate sponsorships at tiered levels (Pollinator Bee $500-749, Worker Bee $750-999, Honey Bee $1,000-1,499, Carpenter Bee $1,500-2,499, Mason Bee $2,500-4,999, Bumble Bee $5,000-7,499, Royal Bee $7,500-9,999, Queen Bee $10,000-24,999, Bee Terrific $25,000+).
4. Donations and Directed Gifts: General donations and directed gifts for specific projects (e.g., Sunrise Park, Matthew's Gift, SOS program, scholarships). One-time and recurring donation options available through the website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Women Who Lead is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit women's community organization that runs signature volunteer-driven community programs (Power of the Purse annual fundraiser, Project Suitcase, Matthew's Gift, Scholarships, Supporting Our Students, Sunrise Park) addressing food insecurity, youth support, elder care, mental health, and neighborhood improvement across Hays and Ellis County, Kansas. It sells tiered individual memberships, tiered corporate sponsorships, and fundraiser tickets to fund these programs.

Product overview

Women Who Lead is a 501(c)(3) non-profit women's leadership organization offering community programs and projects rather than a technology product. The organization operates signature projects including Power of the Purse (annual fundraiser), Project Suitcase (foster care support), Matthew's Gift (medical transport family support), and Scholarships for young women. Additional programs include Supporting Our Students (SOS) addressing student insecurities, Sunrise Park community improvements, and a tiered membership program spanning Rose Gold ($1,000+) to Junior ($25) levels. The organization facilitates community engagement through monthly membership meetings, committee work, and various outreach initiatives focused on food insecurity, elder care, mental health, and youth support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Supporting Our Students (SOS): Youth-focused program that works alongside school administrators to identify and address family insecurities affecting students in the Hays, Kansas school district (K-12).
• Matthew's Gift
• Power of the Purse
• Project Suitcase

Products and services

• Power of the Purse The premier annual fundraiser featuring elegant dining, high-end handbag auctions, raffles, and silent auctions. Individual tickets are $50, tables of 8 are $400. Proceeds fund the organization's community projects.
• Project Suitcase Provides duffle bags containing blankets, stuffed animals, pajamas, toiletries, toys, and McDonalds gift cards to children requiring emergency removal from their home into foster care. Approximately 150-175 children per year receive these bags.
• Matthew's Gift Provides comfort totes with $50 gas cards, blankets, snacks, water, notepads, pens, and word puzzles to families of emergency medical transport patients being transferred from HaysMed. Each tote costs $85 to assemble and deliver; 218 totes delivered in 2025 with quarterly distribution of approximately 50 totes.
• Scholarships Scholarship program for young women in Ellis County pursuing post-secondary education at Fort Hays State University, NWKTC, Hays Academy of Hair Design, or other trade schools in Ellis County. Awards $1,000 per recipient; 8 scholarships totaling $8,000 awarded for 2024-2025 academic year (up from 3 in 2022-2023).
• Supporting Our Students (SOS) Youth-focused program working with USD 489 school administrators to identify and address family insecurities affecting K-12 students, including funding overdue school lunches, clothing (shoes, coats), hygiene products, after-school care, and seasonal needs.
• Sunrise Park Multi-phase park adoption project in partnership with the City of Hays Parks Department including 9-hole disc golf course, ball field improvements, new basketball court, and playground equipment replacement over a 2-3 year phased project.
• Membership Program Tiered annual membership program providing community engagement and volunteer opportunities. Tiers include Junior ($25, age 30 or younger), Chrome ($50-99), Copper ($100-249), Bronze ($250-499), Silver ($500-749), Gold ($750-999), and Rose Gold ($1,000+). Membership grew from 26 founding women in 2017 to over 160 members by 2023.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75+ community projects completed in 2025 across food security, youth, elder care, mental health, and neighborhood improvement
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Fort Hays State University (FHSU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024WWL provides FHSU food pantry donations, supports the Tailored for Tigers professional clothing closet ($1,500 donation), volunteers for the Encore Series, and partners with Delta Zeta and FHSU Criminal Justice for self-defense courses.
• Feeding Hays / St. Michael's Episcopal ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024WWL partners with Feeding Hays (operated by St. Michael's Episcopal Church) to support weekly spaghetti dinners. WWL donated $2,500, sponsors one meal quarterly by purchasing groceries and preparing/serving food, and provides volunteer labor. Partnership addresses food insecurity in the Hays community.
• First Call for HelpcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024WWL provides meal kits (20 per month), food pantry donations, hot box for Meals on Wheels delivery, and participated in Battle of the Business Challenge winning with 2,482 donated items. Partnership addresses food insecurity for families in the community.
• Ellis Food PantrymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024WWL provides $500 Dillons gift cards monthly to Ellis Outreach Committee for weekly food bags, plus general food pantry donations to address food insecurity in Ellis (rural Ellis County).
• Community Assistance Center (CAC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024WWL donated 10 shopping carts to the Community Assistance Center to help clients without cars transport food and heavy items home from the food pantry.
• Delta Zeta Sorority at Fort Hays State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023WWL partnered with FHSU Delta Zeta for Women Empowerment events, Big Man on Campus programming, self-defense courses, FHSU food pantry stocking, and bowling socials. 13 students and several mothers joined WWL through this partnership. The relationship has generated student volunteers and campus outreach.
• Via Christi Village, Good Samaritan, Homestead, Brookdale Senior LivingmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023WWL Elder Care Committee runs year-round programming including prom nights, raised garden beds, BINGO prizes, Christmas caroling, Dignity Bibs, Memory Tools, Senior Health Fair, and decorated Christmas trees for residents of these senior living facilities.
• Early Childhood Connections (USD 489)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023WWL provides weekend food backpacks for preschool-aged at-risk children ($5,000 each in February and September 2024), plus coats and boots through the Toys for Tots partnership, addressing early childhood food insecurity.
• Toys for Tots / U.S. Marine Corps ReserveminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023WWL partners with Thirsty's to collect and donate toys for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Members donated 97 toys in 2023 and 150+ in 2024, plus $500 donations to Early Childhood Connections for coats and boots.
• Hays Public Library Teen Advisory BoardminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023WWL provided $250 for Winter Survival Kits and $250 for Summer Hygiene Kits for the Teen Advisory Board's community service projects serving local school children.
• FHSU Encore SeriesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022WWL provides volunteer ushers for FHSU's Encore Series performing arts events. Partnership began in 2022 and continues annually, providing community visibility for WWL while supporting university arts programming.
• Dillons (Grocery Store)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Dillons donates bakery and deli items nearing expiration date which are collected by the Dynamic Donation Dames volunteer group and distributed to schools and nonprofit agencies. WWL members volunteer for weekly food pickups and deliveries.
• City of Hays Parks DepartmentmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020WWL partnered with City of Hays Parks Department for dog park lighting project (number one resident request), ARC Park security camera project, and Sunrise Park adoption with disc golf course, ball field improvements, basketball court, and new playground equipment.
• HaysMedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019WWL partners with HaysMed for Matthew's Gift totes delivered to families of emergency transport patients, Hospital Week appreciation events, and general healthcare professional recognition.
• Camber Children's Mental Health HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019WWL provides holiday parties (Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Christmas) for children aged 6-18 in psychiatric residential treatment, summer cookout events, and gifts. Partnership supports mental health and emotional wellness for youth in the community.
• United Way of Ellis CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018WWL began under the United Way umbrella and maintains strong alignment with United Way Community Impact Initiatives. Partnership includes Reality U sponsorship and volunteer support for United Way programs. Originally operated under United Way's 501c3 classification from 2017-2023.
• Ellis County Schools / USD 489coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018WWL partners with USD 489 for Aunt Flo feminine product dispensers at Hays High School, Teacher Appreciation events, Student Council mentoring, Backpacks for Kids, RealityU volunteer support, and Supporting Our Students (SOS) program that addresses family insecurities for K-12 students.
• Thirsty's Brew Pub and GrillcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Thirsty's is a Queen Bee level sponsor ($10,000-$24,999) and a key partner for Power of the Purse events, Toys for Tots program, and Christmas Magic on Main community events. The venue also hosts monthly membership meetings.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 100+ Women Who Care: Network of local chapters where 100+ women collectively donate to vetted local nonprofits through quarterly giving circles. Closely comparable as a women-led, membership-due-based, hyper-local community impact model operating through local chapters with tiered contribution commitments.
• Soroptimist International: Global volunteer service organization for women that funds scholarships (Live Your Dream Awards), executes community projects, and advocates for women's empowerment. Directly comparable model combining scholarships, community service, and women's leadership development.
• Zonta International: Global service organization of professionals empowering women through local clubs that fund scholarships, service projects, and advocacy. Directly comparable membership-dues-and-service-project model with focus on women's empowerment, scholarships, and community impact.
• Junior League: National women's civic and volunteer organization with local chapters that execute community projects and fundraise through membership dues and events. Directly comparable as a women-led, membership-based, project-driven nonprofit model, though typically operates in larger metro areas than Women Who Lead's rural Ellis County footprint.
• American Association of University Women (AAUW): National organization advancing gender equity through local branches that fund scholarships, run STEM programs, and execute community advocacy. Comparable women's membership nonprofit with scholarship programs and local-branch service-project structure.
• Altrusa International: International service organization with local clubs focused on community literacy, women's empowerment, and local service projects. Comparable as a membership-based women's civic organization executing community projects through volunteer-driven committees.

Emerging players

• Impact100: Network of women's collective-giving circles that pool individual contributions to award high-impact grants to local nonprofits. Comparable membership and giving-circle model, though focused primarily on grantmaking rather than direct project execution like Women Who Lead.

Broad incumbents

• United Way: Large-scale community fundraising and grantmaking organization. Women Who Lead actually spun out of United Way of Ellis County in 2023, making it the most direct comparable as the prior parent ecosystem with overlapping community partner network.

Regional players

• Women's Foundation of Kansas: Kansas-based foundation focused on women's economic security, leadership, and philanthropy through grantmaking and donor education. Comparable as a Kansas-based women's-empowerment nonprofit operating in the same geography with overlapping community partner network.
• The Junior League of Topeka / Kansas Area Leagues: Regional Junior League chapters operating in Kansas with comparable women-led civic volunteer models focused on community projects and fundraising events. Comparable as geographic peers in the same state with similar membership-dues-funded service-project structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/womenwholead.org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Who Lead