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Dress for Success Boston Inc

EIN 04-3554741 · Boston, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EMPOWER WOMEN TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING A NETWORK OF SUPPORT, PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE, AND THE DEVELOPMENT TOOLS TO HELP WOMEN THRIVE IN WORK AND IN LIFE.

Income
$712,742
Spending
$567,760
Spent on programs
51%
Reserves
17.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
5
Volunteers
185
Highest pay
$123,296, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    51% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $288,722 spent. DRESS FOR SUCCESS BOSTON, INC. (THE ORGANIZATION") WAS ORGANIZED IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ON MARCH 27, 2001 AND HAS SERVED 806 WOMEN IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 AND OVER 16,802 WOMEN SINCE ITS INCEPTION. THE ORGANIZATION IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE WORLDWIDE DRESS FOR SUCCESS ORGANIZATION, WHICH NOW HAS OVER 130 AFFILIATES IN 15 COUNTRIES.THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE IS TO OFFER LONG-LASTING SOLUTIONS THAT ENABLE WOMEN TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY. THE ORGANIZATION IS PART OF A GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE, EMPOWERING WOMEN TO OBTAIN SAFER AND BETTER FUTURES. WE PROVIDE EACH CLIENT WITH PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT, BUT WE ARE ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN SIMPLY A NEW OUTFIT. BESIDES PROVIDING THE CLIENT WITH APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES, OUR PROGRAMS FURNISH HER WITH CONFIDENCE SHE CARRIES FOREVER AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT SHE CAN ACTIVELY DEFINE HER LIFE, THE DIRECTION SHE TAKES AND WHAT SUCCESS MEANS TO HER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2001.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.