Freelancing, Empowered: What is Guilded?

At Calling Up Justice, our weekly Open Development meetings are a space where we share funding and work opportunities to support freelancers in building sustainable careers. One vital resource we want to highlight is Guilded, a cooperative dedicated to empowering freelance workers by offering essential administrative and financial support.

What is Guilded?

Guilded is a cooperative incubated and informed by the work of the United States Federation of Worker Cooperatives. It provides freelancers with contract management, invoicing, guaranteed payments, tax preparation, and healthcare access—so they can focus on their work without administrative burdens.

Why Choose Guilded?

Freelancing can often feel isolating and precarious, but Guilded changes the game by offering:

• Guaranteed Payments & Contract Support – Ensuring freelancers are paid on time and have fair contracts that value equity and freelancer rights.
• Health Care & Tax Preparation Benefits – Offering freelancers access to health care and financial resources traditionally available only to full-time employees.
• Ownership, Community & Collective Action – As a multi-stakeholder cooperative, Guilded provides freelancers with the opportunity to become member-owners, gaining a stake in the organization and helping shape its vision.
• Commitment to Justice – Rooted in racial and economic justice movements, Guilded was built by artists and activists who understand the challenges of independent work.

Key Services Guilded Offers

Health Care Access

Guilded believes that access to healthcare is fundamental. Whether you are a new user or a long-time member, Guilded helps source or supplement your healthcare needs with flexible options.

Contract & Invoicing Support

Navigating contracts can be overwhelming. Guilded helps freelancers prepare, review, and execute client contracts to ensure fair terms and secure payments. Their services make administrative tasks seamless so that freelancers can focus on their work.

Tax Preparation & Financial Health

Guilded supports freelancers in developing proper financial records, making it easier to achieve long-term financial goals such as obtaining loans or lines of credit.

Ownership & Cooperative Model

As a multi-stakeholder cooperative, Guilded offers three kinds of member-owners:

1. Freelancer-owners
2. Employee-owners
3. Investor-owners

Members who become part of Guilded’s cooperative structure own equity in the organization and can participate in its governance. While membership is encouraged, it is not required—users can still access Guilded’s services without becoming a full member.

Guilded’s Mission, Vision, & Values

Mission Statement

Guilded’s mission is to build labor power among contractors and give freelance workers access to benefits traditionally associated with full-time employment. While its core constituency includes creative workers, particularly those facing systemic oppression, Guilded’s services are available to all freelance workers.

Vision Statement

Guilded envisions a US economy where all workers are treated with dignity and protected from exploitation. To achieve this, Guilded simplifies business processes for independent workers and facilitates resource pooling to provide access to essential worker benefits.

Values Statement

Guilded is committed to the six cooperative values:

1. Democracy
2. Self-help
3. Self-responsibility
4. Equity
5. Equality
6. Solidarity

Additionally, Guilded follows the seven cooperative principles:

1. Voluntary membership
2. Democratic member control
3. Member economic participation
4. Autonomy and independence
5. Education, training, and information
6. Cooperation among cooperatives
7. Concern for community

Guilded is particularly focused on building labor power for BIPOC and queer communities, following an ethos of “do no harm.” The organization denounces all forms of racism, ableism, and discrimination based on gender or sexual identity.

Why Guilded Matters to Calling Up Justice’s Community

At Calling Up Justice, we recognize the systemic barriers that freelance artists, activists, and justice workers face. Guilded aligns with our values by prioritizing economic justice, cooperative ownership, and freelancer empowerment. By sharing this resource at Open Development, we aim to connect our community with tools that foster stability, fairness, and collective strength.

To learn more about Guilded and how it can support your freelance journey, visit Guilded’s website or join one of our Open Development meetings for more shared resources and opportunities.