Amplify! Advocate! Disrupt!
10 Years of Collective Care
Collective Liberation through Sex Education with CUSP and Sexpectations at the Drip Collective in April 2026.
Our Vision
To celebrate our 10th anniversary, Women Unite! (WU!) launched a year-long series of events with our collaborative partners, Chicago United Solidarity Project (CUSP). In 2024, WU! and CUSP launched their first-ever Summer Series, which brought multiple organizations together to co-host fundraising and resource sharing events that have collectively brought in nearly $40,000 over two years.
Amplify! Advocate! Disrupt!: 10 Years of Collective Care expands our Summer Series concept across a full calendar year, partnering us with community-based organizations committed to making our world a more just, more compassionate place.
Our Impact
So far in 2026, WU! and CUSP have co-hosted 7 events in collaboration with the following organizations:
Farm-to-table dinner at Cedillo’s Fresh Produce during our Summer Series in July 2026.
Through our joint efforts we’ve raised $39,105, which includes $23,000 in sponsorship dollars.
In addition to raising money for causes we care about, we’ve been able to spend in ways that align with our values.
So far we’ve spent a total of $11,700 on our events this year.
91%
has been spent at small, Chicago-based businesses
84%
has been spent at small, women of color owned businesses
89%
has been spent at BIPOC-owned businesses
66%
has been spent at immigrant and refugee owned business
We view events as a way to build community by connecting people and investing in the incredible folks who help make Chicago great—local, values aligned businesses that contribute to the vibrancy of our city.
At the top of the year we set aside $11,000 for event expenses. We’re currently $700 over our estimated budget due to increased food costs and rising fuel costs, which we see reflected in the fact that we help cover transportation for many of our vendors to/from our events.
Despite being slightly over budget, we’ve managed to collaboratively raise $27,405 for all nine participating organizations.
Looking Ahead
We had hoped to execute three more events before the end of 2026, a new Fall Equinox event in September, our second-annual Solidarity Market in November, and our end-of-year, 10-year anniversary party.
However, due to rising costs, some necessary time off, and unexpected life events, we’ve scaled back the year and are focusing on our 10-year anniversary party, which will be a celebration of all we’ve been able to accomplish together over the past decade.
Gratitude
Thank you so much for sponsoring our Amplify! Advocate! Disrupt! event series this year. Your financial support removed so much of the anxiety and pressure that comes with event planning, allowing us to focus on creating opportunities for our communities to connect in person, enjoy some soul-nurturing food, and partake in the work of building a better world.
We’re so grateful for the ways you made this year possible—thank you!!!
