Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Working Wardrobes for a New Start

EIN 33-0669145 · Santa Ana, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Working Wardrobes helps individuals overcome barriers to gainful employment by providing workforce readiness programs and resources that promote confidence and self-sufficiency.

Income
$4.5 million
Spending
$7.2 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
69
Volunteers
2,000
Highest pay
$224,254, 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: 63 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 58% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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 65% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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. $870,078 spent. CAREER SERVICES - THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND CLIENTS WHO ARE OVERCOMING DIFFICULT CHALLENGES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE CAREER ASSESSMENT, RESUME DEVELOPMENT, CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING, FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS, JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE, JOB REFERRALS AND JOB RETENTION SERVICES. VOLUNTEER SUCCESS COACHES AND JOB DEVELOPERS SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS. PROFESSIONAL WARDROBING AND GROOMING SERVICES ARE ALSO PROVIDED WITH THE HELP OF VOLUNTEER PERSONAL SHOPPERS. APPROXIMATELY 7,615 CLIENTS BENEFITED FROM THE SERVICES PROVIDED DURING 2024.
  2. $4.7 million spent. RESALE OPERATIONS - THE ORGANIZATION HAS one upscale resale boutique THAT SELL A WIDE SELECTION OF TOP QUALITY DONATED CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE SHOP is LOCATED IN LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA. ALSO, THE ORGANIZATION HAS TWO OUTLET SHOPs LOCATED IN GARDEN GROVE AND COSTA MESA, CA THAT SELL A WIDE VARIETY OF MERCHANDISE, MEN'S AND WOMEN'S CLOTHING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. Shops also create opportunities for work experience for clients. THE INCOME DERIVED FROM THE SALES SUPPORT THE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 May 2000.

    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.