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Dress for Success San Francisco

EIN 20-3905776 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DRESS FOR SUCCESS SAN FRANCISCO/SAN JOSE EMPOWERS WOMEN TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING A NETWORK OF SUPPORT, PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE, AND DEVELOPMENT TOOLS TO HELP THEM THRIVE IN WORK AND IN LIFE.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
9
Volunteers
465
Highest pay
$170,884, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 80% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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, 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 (3)
  1. $1.6 million spent. In 2025, Dress for Success San Francisco/San Jose served 1,345 Bay Area women (growth of 8% over the past year) through no-cost, personalized career services -- a record year of reach and impact. Through our Career Wardrobe program, 923 women received professional attire and individualized styling support through a two-step model: the first includes complete interview outfit upon intake, and the second includes a full week of work clothing upon securing employment.This approach addresses both immediate and sustained workplace needs, ensuring women are equipped not just for the interview, but for the first weeks on the job. Among Career Wardrobe participants, 50% secured job interviews. See Schedule O for remaining response. Appointments were available in-person at our San Francisco and San Jose offices. All services we provided at no cost.
  2. $2,599 spent. Our Career Coaching program delivered 253 individualized coaching sessions in 2025, supporting women at every stage of their job search, from resume development and mock interviews to LinkedIn strategy and long-term career planning. Sessions were available in-person and virtually to remove barriers to access. Of clients who completed coaching, 72% secured interviews and 52% obtained employment within 45 days of program completion. Our Going Places Network (GPN) job readiness cohort, delivered in English and Spanish, provided structured six-week training to women navigating applicant tracking systems, networking, and professional communication skills. See Schedule O for remaining response. The Spanish-language cohort reflects our majority Hispanic/Latinx client base across both offices.
  3. $6,370 spent. In 2025, 510 women participated in virtual workshops and training sessions focused on financial literacy, digital skills, and professional development. Our Financial Education program produced measurable outcomes: 100% of participants opened and maintained savings accounts, 87% established emergency funds, 67% improved their credit scores, and 25% reduced their debt by more than $500. Our new AI Foundations course prepared clients for emerging workforce demands. Our Professional Women's Group engaged 134 employed clients in peer mentorship and leadership development focused on employment retention and advancement. See Schedule O for remaining response. Clients who completed cohort programs experienced an average income increase of 191% within one year. A total of 465 volunteers contributed 4,711 hours valued at $163,000 to enable our programming.

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

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

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2022 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2022.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 October 2022.

    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 November 4, 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.