In a city as dynamic and diverse as Los Angeles, the movement toward gender equity and economic empowerment is gaining powerful momentum. A wide range of nonprofits and advocacy organizations are driving change by offering essential resources, professional development, artistic platforms, and business mentorship for women at all stages of life and career.
From economic justice to artistic expression, these ten organizations stand at the forefront of progress. If you’re looking to connect, support, or benefit from their services, here’s everything you need to know.
1. Women’s Foundation of California
Website: WFC Website
Address: 340 Pine Street, Suite 302, San Francisco, CA 94104
Contact: info@womensfoundca.org
The Women’s Foundation of California (WFC) has long been a pillar of support for women-led solutions across the state. Through strategic grantmaking, community-based leadership programs, and deep investment in racial, economic, and gender justice, WFC empowers women and gender-expansive individuals to lead transformative work in their communities. Their programs often focus on women of color and underrepresented voices in policy-making, ensuring that the path to equity is intersectional and inclusive.
2. Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)
Website: WEV Website
Address: 333 S. Salinas Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Contact: info@wevonline.org
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) supports small business development and entrepreneurship, particularly among women and marginalized populations. They offer a wide range of services from business training to startup loans and business consulting. Their Women’s Business Center is SBA-funded and provides culturally competent tools for sustainable self-employment, economic independence, and generational wealth-building.
3. Women in Film (WIF)
Website: Women in Film
Address: 6100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 710, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Contact: info@wif.org
Women in Film (WIF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for and advancing the careers of women working in the screen industries. WIF offers mentorship programs, film finishing funds, anti-harassment training, and systemic change initiatives to level the playing field in Hollywood and beyond. For decades, WIF has served as a lifeline to women navigating the challenges of the entertainment industry.
4. Women’s Center for Creative Work (WCCW)
Website: WCCW Website
Address: 2425 Glover Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Contact: info@womenscenterforcreativework.com
A hub for artistic collaboration and intersectional feminism, the Women’s Center for Creative Work is a vibrant community space that amplifies creative voices. They provide residencies, workshops, shared studio spaces, and grant opportunities with a strong focus on queer, BIPOC, and feminist artists. The WCCW is transforming the cultural landscape by ensuring that creatives from marginalized identities have space to thrive.
5. Downtown Women’s Center (DWC)
Website: DWC Website
Address: 442 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Contact: info@downtownwomenscenter.org
The Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) is the only organization in Los Angeles focused exclusively on addressing the needs of women experiencing homelessness. Their trauma-informed services range from permanent supportive housing to job training and mental health care. DWC also runs a social enterprise that provides employment opportunities for women who have faced housing instability.
6. Women’s Care Cottage (WCC)
Website: WCC Website
Address: 245 E 37th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90011
Contact: info@womenscarecottage.org
Women’s Care Cottage has been providing crisis and transitional housing to women and children in Los Angeles for over three decades. Their services include mental health counseling, job readiness programs, and child care assistance—creating a wraparound system that helps women move from crisis to stability and self-sufficiency.
7. Professional BusinessWomen of California (PBWC) – Los Angeles Chapter
Website: PBWC Website
Address: P.O. Box 60822, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Contact: info@pbwc.org
With chapters across the state, the Professional BusinessWomen of California (PBWC) empowers women to advance professionally and personally through networking events, conferences, and educational opportunities. The Los Angeles chapter creates a unique community for business-minded women to connect, collaborate, and rise together.
8. Women’s Business Center at Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC)
Website: VSEDC Website
Address: 1130 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90044
Contact: info@vsedc.org
The Women’s Business Center at VSEDC serves South Los Angeles by offering training, one-on-one advising, and capital access to women entrepreneurs. Their focus on underserved and minority women ensures a more equitable economic future for communities that have historically been left behind in business development.
9. Women’s Business Enterprise Council West (WBEC-West)
Website: WBEC-West Website
Address: 888 S. Figueroa St., Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Contact: info@wbec-west.org
WBEC-West certifies and connects women-owned businesses with corporate buyers. Their certification is often a critical step for women entrepreneurs seeking to compete in large-scale procurement and supply chains. The organization also provides education, networking, and resources to help certified businesses thrive in a competitive marketplace.
10. Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival (LAWTF)
Website: LAWTF Website
Address: P.O. Box 803366, Los Angeles, CA 90080
Contact: info@lawtf.org
Since 1993, the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival has been a powerful platform for women’s voices in the performing arts. LAWTF provides opportunities for female-identifying artists to share their stories on stage, celebrate diverse perspectives, and spark dialogue through theater. Their annual festival draws performers from around the world and has become a cultural staple in Los Angeles.
A Unified Mission: Building a More Inclusive Future
While these organizations vary in mission and method—ranging from entrepreneurship to housing and from arts to advocacy—they are unified by one goal: the empowerment of women. Together, they are building stronger foundations for leadership, equity, and opportunity.
Whether you are an aspiring business owner, artist, activist, or woman in transition, these organizations offer vital resources to help you succeed.
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