2024 Impact Report
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re celebrate a transformative year marked by legislative victories, community empowerment, and organizational growth... and we're energized for the opportunities ahead in 2025!
In this report, we share not just our achievements, but the stories of a growing movement. From grassroots organizing to workplace advocacy, from peer support to public education, our work touches every aspect of building a more inclusive world. We're deeply grateful to our supporters, partners, and community members who make this work possible.
Want the short version? Check out the summary on Instagram.
Programs & Impact
Community, Resources, & Support
OPEN's in-person presence at community events throughout 2024 helped strengthen and expand our movement by building relationships with local leaders, sharing organizing strategies, and engaging new audiences in our advocacy work.
Our twice-monthly Peer Support Circles continued to provide crucial connection and support for our community. These free, facilitated sessions create space for non-monogamous individuals to share experiences, seek guidance, and build community. In 2024, we served 654 participants across 23 sessions (as of Dec. 12).
We launched the development of a comprehensive guide to housing for non-monogamous families and relationships. This community-informed resource will address crucial topics from home-buying as a multi-partner pod to navigating moves and transitions, and will be published in 2025.
“I have benefited greatly from OPEN, especially the monthly support group calls. It has felt relieving and therapeutic to hear from others about their journeys, and to share my own journey and perspectives with others. These calls have helped me so much in feeling supported, part of a community, and not alone.”
Visibility & Awareness
OPEN continued to shape public discourse around non-monogamy in 2024, with coverage in nine media outlets with a total audience of 90 million, including USA Today, Cosmopolitan, and Slate. Through these platforms, we advanced authentic narratives about non-monogamous relationships, challenged common misconceptions, and increased visibility for our community.
Building on the success of 2023’s Day of Visibility, the 2024 Week of Visibility for Non-monogamy expanded to include 50 virtual and in-person events across 6 countries. This movement-wide week of action helped to amplify non-monogamous voices, promote acceptance, and bring communities together to celebrate how far we’ve come!
Our third annual Community Survey gathered 4,500 responses from participants across 70 countries, representing one of the largest studies of the non-monogamous population ever conducted. The survey's findings inform our programming priorities, provide crucial data to support our advocacy efforts, and help shape media coverage of non-monogamy.
“I support OPEN because sex positive people need advocacy and visibility. OPEN is among the few organizations that are speaking out in effective ways. Bravo, OPEN!”
Advocacy and Impact
OPEN achieved landmark victories in 2024 with the passage of non-discrimination protections in Berkeley and Oakland, California. The Oakland legislation, covering almost 440,000 residents, represents the largest city yet to protect individuals from discrimination based on their family or relationship structure. Building on this momentum, we're currently supporting grassroots leaders in multiple cities who are working to secure similar protections for their communities. We also developed a comprehensive Legislative Toolkit in partnership with the Polyamory Legal Advocacy Coalition, which will be published in early 2025 to further empower local organizing efforts.
Our Open Workplaces Initiative gained significant momentum in 2024. We released an expanded version of our toolkit, partnered with Out & Equal (the leading LGBTQ+ workplace advocacy organization) and the Modern Family Institute, and supported employee advocates at companies including Google, Microsoft, AirBnB, and Dell in advancing workplace inclusion for non-monogamous professionals.
OPEN helped amplify rapid response advocacy efforts led by the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom to oppose discriminatory local ordinances targeting private community spaces in Pittsburgh and Acadia Parish, LA. We also supported the Woodhull Freedom Foundation's campaign against restrictive age verification bills in multiple states.
Organizational Development
OPEN saw significant growth in our online reach this year:
82% growth in subscribers and followers across email and social media.
124% increase in unique visitors to our website.
We added three new members to our Board of Directors in 2024:
Financial Overview
In our commitment to transparency and accountability, we're pleased to present a summary of our financial activities for 2024. This overview provides insight into how we've allocated resources to fuel our mission.
Year-to-date, OPEN's revenue totaled approximately $103,139.45. Following receipt of a few outstanding pledges and committed matching funds, we expect our year-end total to be approximately $135,000.
OPEN’s total expenditures for the first 3 quarters of 2024 were $134,755.89, an increase of approximately 27% from the same period in 2023. This reflects modest but sustainable growth for our organization.
Breakdown of expenses by program area, including the portion of staff time (i.e. payroll) dedicated to each area.
As we enter 2025, OPEN maintains a stable foundation thanks to the generosity of our supporters, including major contributions that have sustained our work through 2024. While pledged restricted funding will advance our legislative advocacy work in the coming year, continued community support remains crucial to sustain and grow our other program areas.
Approximately 98% of our funding has come from individual donors (including employer matching), with about 1% each coming from grants and earned income. Our community remains central to our capacity to advance our mission of non-monogamous rights and acceptance – consider making a tax-deductible contribution now!
2025 Vision
The challenges ahead demand that we strengthen our movement's capacity for collective action. As Project 2025 and other threats to marginalized communities loom, OPEN is focusing on building resilient networks and empowering grassroots organizing across the country.
Our strategic priorities for 2025 reflect this urgency:
Expand Our Movement's Reach and Impact: With our upcoming Campaign Coordinator position, we'll accelerate our legislative advocacy work, aiming to pass non-discrimination protections in 8 new cities. Beyond legislation, we're creating comprehensive resources and training programs to empower local organizers and build lasting grassroots power.
Strengthen Community Resilience: We're expanding our Peer Support Circles to serve 800 people, while developing new resources for community care and mutual support. Our housing guide and other upcoming toolkits will help our community navigate systems that weren't designed for us.
Build Coalition Power: Through strategic partnerships and network-building, we're strengthening connections between local organizers, allied movements, and community leaders. The Week of Visibility will expand to include 60+ global events, creating opportunities for connection and collective action.
Amplify Our Stories: New research and storytelling initiatives will help counter misconceptions while documenting our community's experiences and needs. This work becomes increasingly crucial as we face growing opposition to relationship and family diversity.
OPEN enters 2025 with clear purpose: to help build a movement capable of protecting our communities and advancing relationship freedom for all. While the road ahead presents challenges, we're encouraged by the growing energy and organizing capacity we see across our movement.
Your support makes this work possible. Here's how you can help:
Contribute online at www.open-love.org/donate
Donate with employer matching via Benevity. Find OPEN via EIN 88-1151856
Mail a check: Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Nonmonogamy, 1518 Madera Court, El Cerrito, CA 94530
For prospective major gifts, contact Executive Director Brett Chamberlin: <brett@open-love.org> or schedule a call.
Start a peer-to-peer fundraiser on social media or organize a fundraising house party.
Thank You
As I reflect on almost three years leading OPEN, I am filled with pride in what we've accomplished together and hope for what lies ahead. Each day, I feel honored and humbled to serve this remarkable community and movement.
Our work is only possible because of the many people who contribute their time, resources, energy, and vision to building a more just and joyous world. I am continuously inspired by:
Community members who share their stories and support each other
Donors who make our work sustainable
Volunteers who give their time and energy
Board members who guide our strategy
Coalition partners who strengthen our impact
Local organizers who lead grassroots change
Content creators who amplify our message
To everyone who has placed their trust in OPEN and supported our mission - thank you. Together, we're building a future where all relationships are free to flourish, and I couldn't be more grateful to be on this journey with you.
With deep gratitude,
Brett Chamberlin
Executive Director
