About Us
Our Mission
Invest to Elect brings women to the political table,
as donors and activists, to elect Democrats who support
reproductive freedom.
Who We Are
We are a dynamic group of 150 women from the Chicago area who passionately support Democratic candidates and ideals with our money, time and expertise.
In addition to fundraising events, we share opportunities for members to grow as activists who march, knock doors, make calls and texts, and write postcards.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
While our funding priorities naturally shift from year to year according to need, we remain committed to electing Democrats in critical races, at the federal and state levels.
WHAT’S NEXT?
For the 2026 cycle, we will continue to support vulnerable federal candidates in tough races, and expand our support to include governors, state Supreme Court justices, state attorneys general, and new media. As ever, it remains our goal to help Democrats take back the US Senate and the US House.
How We Do It
Invest to Elect Illinois hosts members-only fundraisers for vulnerable Democratic candidates, grassroots pro-democracy organizations, state Democratic parties, and new media — in person and on zoom. This allows our members to directly ask our nation’s leaders about issues we care about. We also offer free social and educational events, and curate opportunities for activism hosted by local and national partners, including marching, knocking doors, making calls and texts, and writing postcards.
These gatherings — as well as research we conduct and share with our members — allow us to make informed decisions about which candidates and organizations to support.
As our membership and expertise has grown, we have established six committees to help ITE function smoothly and effectively, connect members with each other in smaller groups, and allow more members to assume leadership roles.
These committees are:
- Steering Committee: Our Leadership
- Investment Strategy Committee: Researches our candidates and organizations and makes recommendations to Steering Committee.
- Events Committee: Coordinates fundraising events with campaigns and ensure that events run smoothly.
- Membership Committee: Recruits new members and maintains membership; hosts free educational and social events open to public.
- Communications Committee: Informs membership of events and current news.
- Civic Action Committee: Curates opportunities for activism hosted by local and national partners, including marching, knocking doors, making calls and texts, and writing postcards.
Candidate & Organization Selection Process
Investment Strategy Committee researches and identifies high-impact races and organizations that align with our mission. We evaluate:
- Competitive federal races (U.S. Senate and U.S. House)
- Critical statewide races (Governors, Supreme Court justices, Attorneys General)
- Grassroots organizations in key battleground states
- Social media organizations that help Democrats explain who they are and what they do
- Races where our support makes the biggest difference
- The Committee presents recommendations to our Steering Committee, which approves candidates and organizations for member support.
How Members Choose Fundraising Events to Support: Members receive invitations to all fundraising events and select which candidates or organizations they'd like to support. Members choose events that align with their interests and financial capacity.
Members also receive invitations to all free educational and social events, such as monthly Off The Record zoom chats, current event discussions, and social gatherings at members’ homes or local restaurants. Members are welcome to bring friends to these gatherings.
Steering Committee
