He She Ze and We
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SUPPORTING TRANSGENDER AND NONBINARY PEOPLE BY EMPOWERING THEIR FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND ALLIES TO CREATE LIFE-SAVING, INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS THROUGH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAMING.
- Income
- $317,082
- Spending
- $290,912
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 8.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 250
- Highest pay
- $93,961, executive director
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 76% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 33% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (6)
- $82,483 spent. Parent and Family Education: Parents/guardians and adult family members need accurate information about gender identity to feel more comfortable accepting their transgender child, of any age. The magic of a peer-led support meeting occurs when a new person shows up with a variety of raw emotions; listens to someone that has a little or a lot more lived experience; and leaves feeling relieved and less alone.Sharing lived experiences and trusted resources with the help of skilled and knowledgeable co-facilitators is what makes He She Ze and We meetings a brave and non-judgmental space for all attendees to learn how to navigate any next steps. Morning and evening options are available to reach caregivers with varied work schedules. In-person and virtual options allow for access statewide. Multiple facilitators make room for a variety of perspectives, including a monthly BIPOC meeting. HSZ&W currently holds 10 educational support meetings each month. Guest Speaker Panel Discussions are part of this program.
- $51,983 spent. Community Building and Outreach: HSZ&W shows up at as many community events as possible to spread awareness about the importance of creating inclusive and welcoming environments. The way this translates into our work is staff and volunteers providing a resource and/or activity table at many events across the state throughout the year. Sharing information about our organization, how folks can engage with us, learning opportunities, and providing branded materials such as pronoun buttons, stickers, and other marketing materials. We provide training so that our volunteers are equipped with reliable information to share with folks. We strive to represent the communities we are aiming to support, thus it is important to have parents of trans youth and adult trans individuals on our board and paid staff, as well as, volunteer team.
- $44,993 spent. He She Ze and We Family Connections Program: Positive social interactions with peers is essential for healthy social, intellectual, and emotional development of all children. There is a nationwide attack on Transgender and Nonbinary Youth which is negatively impacting our families. During these extremely volatile times in our society, He She Ze and We brings families together to foster the growth of community close to home. Trans youth and their families need to know that they are seen, understood, accepted, and celebrated Family Connections programming takes families out into their local communities to feed their souls by engaging in group activities...just for fun This program compliments our educational support for adult family members by inviting siblings into the mix so that they too feel supported and valued, as well as experience first hand the natural variances of gender identity and expression amongst peers. For each locality, various relationships are forming with other organizations and businesses that are willing to provide a welcoming environment. Family Connections is organized and run by our Community Engagement and Events Coordinator. The goal is to lift up this vibrant community and help our children not only survive, but THRIVE Family Connections events happened in 2-4 regions across VA in 2024/2025 with Richmond and Charlottesville having the most in attendance.
- $22,855 spent. Ally & Community Education: Educating families is only part of the solution to creating a safe and welcoming community for transgender and nonbinary individuals. Knowledge dislodges fear and can empower individuals to know how to talk about gender diversity and how to create inclusive environments for trans and nonbinary people. We work with schools, corporations, businesses, community organizations, medical and mental health providers. During a typical training session, facilitators cover foundational concepts, illuminate risk factors, explore identities, and encourage participants to learn best practices when supporting transgender and nonbinary people in a variety of settings. Our team consults with clients and tailors a program that fits their needs and goals. HSZ&W training helps attendees leave feeling more confident about the topic of gender identity and how to be an ally. Followup includes a satisfaction feedback survey and comprehensive resources. With financial support, HSZ&W will be able to increase our capacity by
- $17,500 spent. HSZ&Ws Trans Wellness Fund (TWF): In response to Virginias major hospital systems abruptly halting medical care to transgender youth under the age of 19, HSZ&W has created a program to help families and adult trans individuals navigate the healthcare system with personalized virtual meetings to connect them with affirming and competent mental health and medical providers. Launching in May 2025, with a quarterly application cycle and micro grants are awarded to those who need financial assistance to access care.
- Line 4d - Description of Programs: Ally & Community Education: a fee based professional development training opportunity about transgender cultural competency and how to create inclusive environments. In FY 2024/2025, we held 23 trainings and earned: $15,720 and served approximately 860 people through this type of training. Trans Wellness Fund (TWF) started in May 2025, to help transgender individuals be able to access competent and trusted medical providers. HSZ&W has provided 35 small grants in the first 2 cycles which happen quarterly.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2020.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.