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Dress for Success Worldwide

EIN 13-4040377 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DRESS FOR SUCCESS SUPPORTS UNEMPLOYED AND UNDEREMPLOYED WOMEN TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND THRIVE IN WORK AND IN LIFE.

Income
$14.4 million
Spending
$15.2 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
41
Volunteers
131
Highest pay
$435,042, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (2)
  1. $11.1 million spent. IN 2024, PROGRAMS INCLUDED IMPLEMENTING MONITORING AND EVALUATION FRAMEWORKS, STRENGTHENING AFFILIATE GOVERNANCE POLICIES, AND PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE. DSW FACILITATES AFFILIATE ENGAGEMENT THROUGH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES, REGIONAL ROUNDTABLES, AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS FOR RESOURCE SHARING AND COLLABORATION. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO MANAGES CENTRALIZED DISBURSEMENT OF DESIGNATED FUNDING AND IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DONORS, WHILE OVERSEEING GLOBAL BRAND MANAGEMENT, IMPACT MEASUREMENT, AND AFFILIATE STANDARDS.DSW CENTRALLY MANAGES PROGRAMMATIC PARTNERSHIPS AND INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT AFFILIATES IN DELIVERING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES GLOBALLY. AREAS OF FOCUS INCLUDE CAREER READINESS, SKILL-BUILDING, PEER SUPPORT, AND ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE. IN 2024, DSW EXPANDED INITIATIVES IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP, MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY, WHILE ALSO ENHANCING THE DRESS FOR SUCCESS ONLINE COMMUNITY. THE PLATFORM CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A CENTRALIZED HUB FOR CLIENT RESOURCES, DIGITAL PROGRAMMING, AND VIRTUAL CONNECTION BETWEEN AFFILIATES AND THE WOMEN THEY SERVE.
  2. $1.2 million spent. THROUGH SERVICE HUBS IN NEW YORK CITY AND CHICAGO, DSW PROVIDES DIRECT PROGRAMMING TO UNEMPLOYED AND UNDER EMPLOYED WOMEN SEEKING CAREER ADVANCEMENT AND FINANCIAL STABILITY. OFFERINGS INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE, CAREER COACHING, EMPLOYMENT RETENTION, DIGITAL LITERACY, AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION. SERVICES ARE DELIVERED BOTH IN-PERSON AND ONLINE USING INDIVIDUAL AND COHORT-BASED MODELS TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF EACH COMMUNITY. PROGRAMS EMPHASIZE TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES AND SUPPORT PARTICIPANTS THROUGH JOB SEARCH, PLACEMENT, AND CAREER GROWTH. IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN, THE CHICAGO HUB OFFICIALLY SPUN OFF AS AN INDEPENDENT AFFILIATE IN OCTOBER 2024.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1999.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.

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