WINGS wins $100,000 in national Purple Purse Challenge
WINGS, a domestic violence organization based in the Northwest suburbs, has been awarded $100,000 grant by the Allstate Foundation as the national winner of the Purple Purse Challenge, a crowdfunding campaign.
WINGS raised the most money of 160 nonprofits across the country in the foundation's challenge, which is is designed to highlight the issue of domestic violence and to help domestic violence organizations raise money for their programs.
With online donations ranging from $10 to $10,000, hundreds of supporters helped WINGS raise more than $350,000. The first place win garners the organization, one of the largest not-for-profit organizations dedicated to addressing the epidemic of domestic violence, the additional $100,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation.
In addition, the WINGS donations will be matched dollar for dollar by John and Rita Canning, who recently gave the organization a $1 million challenge grant.
"We are so grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from so many wonderful members of our community. The money we have raised will allow us to help more women and children in devastating situations," said Rebecca Darr, CEO of WINGS.
In this year's contest, which ran during the month of October, considered Domestic Violence Awareness Month, three of the top 10 fundraising organizations are based in the metropolitan Chicago area.
WINGS is currently building a new domestic violence Safe House and transitional apartments on Chicago's southwest side that is set to open this winter. This Safe House is the first to open in the city in over a decade.
Established in 1985, WINGS now owns and operates an emergency domestic violence safe house in the Northwest suburbs, as well as 30 homes and apartments where families who have experienced domestic violence can live for as long as two years. In addition, WINGS programs and services help women and their children become emotionally and financially independent.
To learn more, visit WINGS at www.wingsprogram.com.