Company Profile: Electing Women Alliance and WomenCount

Background

Electing Women Alliance (EWA) and WomenCount are integrated organizations dedicated to enhancing women's political representation in the United States. EWA, established in 2015, operates as a national network of local giving groups that unite women to support female candidates. Their mission is to inspire intentional, informed giving to increase women's political leadership and close the political gender giving gap.

WomenCount, founded in 1996, began as a women's voter turnout initiative and has evolved into a crowdfunding donation platform. It enables donors to contribute to slates of women candidates at national and local levels, aiming to make political participation accessible and impactful.

In 2022, EWA and WomenCount integrated their operations to amplify their collective impact on women's political leadership.

Key Strategic Focus

The combined strategic focus of EWA and WomenCount centers on:

Community Building: Establishing local donor communities to support women candidates through informed giving.

Fundraising: Utilizing both in-person events and digital platforms to raise funds for female candidates.

Candidate Support: Providing financial resources and networks to women running for office, particularly in early campaign stages.

Closing the Gender Giving Gap: Addressing the disparity in political donations by encouraging more women to contribute to female candidates.

Financials and Funding

Since 2015, EWA and WomenCount have collectively raised over $30 million for women candidates through more than 700 local events. These funds have been instrumental in supporting female candidates across various levels of government.

Pipeline Development

The organizations have supported numerous women candidates, including:

Mikie Sherrill: Governor, 2025 (NJ)

Abigail Spanberger: Governor, 2025 (VA)

Katie Hobbs: Governor, 2026 (AZ)

Maura Healey: Governor, 2026 (MA)

Jocelyn Benson: Governor, 2026 (MI)

Deb Haaland: Governor, 2026 (NM)

Kathy Hochul: Governor, 2026 (NY)

Tina Kotek: Governor, 2026 (OR)

Tina Smith: U.S. Senator (MN)

Jeanne Shaheen: U.S. Senator (NH)

These candidates represent a diverse array of political positions and have been supported through various stages of their campaigns.

Technological Platform and Innovation

WomenCount's digital donation platform is a notable innovation, allowing donors to:

Curate Candidate Slates: Support groups of candidates aligned with specific values or issues.

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Leverage personal networks to amplify fundraising efforts.

Informed Giving: Access research-driven candidate information to make strategic contributions.

This platform democratizes political giving, making it more accessible and impactful.

Leadership Team

The leadership team comprises experienced professionals dedicated to advancing women's political representation:

Executive Director: Oversees strategic direction and operations.

National Engagement Director: Manages donor engagement and community building.

Chief of Staff: Coordinates internal operations and strategic initiatives.

Additionally, local giving groups are led by steering committees composed of committed members who organize events and mobilize donors.

Leadership Changes

In 2022, EWA and WomenCount integrated their operations, leading to a unified leadership structure aimed at enhancing their collective impact.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics:

The political fundraising landscape has seen a rise in organizations focused on increasing women's representation. Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in political offices, highlighting the need for targeted support.

Competitor Analysis:

RepresentWomen: A 501(c)(3) organization advocating for institutional reforms to achieve gender parity in public office. They focus on research and policy advocacy rather than direct fundraising.

Women's Campaign Fund: A national, nonpartisan organization that educates the public and assists women running for office to build common ground. Their current operational status is unclear.

EWA and WomenCount distinguish themselves through a dual approach of community-based fundraising and digital crowdfunding, directly supporting candidates financially.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

EWA and WomenCount collaborate with various organizations to amplify their impact, including:

Elect Black Women PAC: Supporting Black women candidates.

Sister District: Focusing on building progressive power in state legislatures.

Vote Run Lead Action: Electing feminist, anti-racist, pro-democracy women.

Vote Mama: Electing more mothers to political office.

These partnerships enable targeted support for diverse groups of women candidates.

Operational Insights

EWA and WomenCount's integrated operations allow for a comprehensive approach to supporting women candidates. Their combination of in-person community events and a robust digital platform provides multiple avenues for donor engagement and candidate support.