Each year, Xcelerate Women’s Executive Director reflects on the progress we’ve made together. Below is a letter introducing our 2025 Impact Report and the collective impact our community achieved in a challenging year.

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2025 was a challenging year for businesses and nonprofits alike. Xcelerate Women and our community members rose to the moment, demonstrating what’s possible when we show up for one another with commitment and intentionality. Xcelerate’s 2025 Annual Impact Report is here  and I am so honored to introduce some of the extraordinary women who hit big goals in 2025, despite incredible headwinds, and to share a few of our own accomplishments.

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Together, we:

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• Provided 635 women in 20 Oregon counties with customized coaching, mentorship, and education that’s changing the face of success in business statewide
  
  
• Launched two community-led committees, ensuring small and medium sized business owners have direct input on programs and priorities by and for women entrepreneurs
  
  
• Hosted 100 women for our Capital Literacy for Women Entrepreneurs event and piloted our first topic-based peer group for women actively seeking growth capital
  
  
• Secured a $155,000 grant from the City of Portland’s Bureau of Sustainability to provide digital marketing coaching and consulting services to women-owned businesses
  
  
• Introduced our Annual Partnership strategy, creating year-round visibility for our partners, and landing an incredible $55,000 grant from the eBay Foundation
  
  
• Conducted a Washington County grant-funded feasibility study to develop sustainable earned revenue streams, including our new Membership Program launching in March 2026

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At Xcelerate, we envision a world in which women have full and equitable access to business ownership as a path to economic freedom. We are the ONLY organization in Oregon focused exclusively on helping women and gender expansive entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. 

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Thanks for being a part of our transformative community - 

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Very best,

Abby Guyer (she/her)

Executive Director