Young Women’s Freedom Center: Strengthening Strategy

For nearly three decades, the Young Women’s Freedom Center has worked to support young women and trans youth of all genders in California who have grown up in poverty, experienced the juvenile legal and foster care systems, have had to survive living and working on the streets, and who have experienced significant violence in their lives. By helping these directly impacted young people to build power and leadership, the Young Women’s Freedom Center is creating positive change in their lives and communities. 

With a grant from Progressive Multiplier, the Young Women’s Freedom Center set out to introduce their donors to the new 501(c)(4) arm of their organization, the Sister Warrior Action Fund, which is led by systems-impacted and formerly or currently incarcerated women and trans people of all genders, and centers around shifting power through organizing, advocacy, and policy and electoral work.

They aimed to raise $25,000 in revenue, with $20,000 coming from an ambassador program and $5,000 from smaller donations. 

Tying the brand launch to a fundraising ask was a tall order. “We launched the campaign at the same time we were launching an entirely new structure for our organization,” said Christine Wei, Policy and Advocacy Engagement Coordinator of Young Women’s Freedom Center. “Part of the work was figuring out our identity and what the brand was and sharing that with our base.”

Launching the campaign meant the team also needed to create a brand-new website and social media channels for Sister Warrior Action Fund. While this was a considerable challenge, it was also a critical investment. Part of this project was making important start-up investments – like the website – that will help them with future campaigns. 

Most of their efforts were through a six-part email campaign targeting potential donors who were not system-impacted or people who had been impacted. Still, they were now able to support the organization as an ally. Communications were action-oriented, sharing specifically how to participate in the movement. The campaign raised more than $21,000, laying a promising foundation for the future. 

For more than 30 years, Young Women’s Freedom Center has provided support, mentorship, training, employment, and advocacy to young women and trans youth of all genders in California who have grown up in poverty, experienced the juvenile legal and foster care systems, have had to survive living and working on the streets, and who have experienced significant violence in their lives.