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Female Strong

EIN 46-4996043 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FEMALE STRONG IS A 501C3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND A COMMUNITY OF COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS THAT OFFER HANDS-ON PROGRAMS, MENTORSHIP, AND EXPERIENCES THAT BUILD CONFIDENCE IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS. WE SUPPORT THE INCLUSION OF ALL GIRL, TRANS, GENDER-FLUID AND NON-BINARY YOUTH AS WE HELP PROPEL THEM TO BECOME FUTURE LEADERS. BY EMPOWERING YOUNG WOMEN WITH THE SKILLS THEY NEED EARLY IN LIFE, WE ARE EQUIPPING THEM TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL, AND PREEMPT THE INEQUITIES THAT EXIST FOR WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE TODAY.

Income
$330,099
Spending
$305,861
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
10 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
4
Volunteers
125

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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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.

  • 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. $207,955 spent. YEA! PROGRAM - BUILDING THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE FOR GIRLS TO THRIVE IN BUSINESS AND LIFE. THIS PROGRAM TEACHES STUDENTS HOW TO SELECT, RESEARCH, VET, DEVELOP, AND MARKET A BUSINESS. FROM IDEA GENERATION TO PITCHING THEIR BUSINESSES FOR STARTUP INVESTMENT FUNDS, THIS COURSE IS TRULY TRANSFORMATIVE. FEMALE STRONG CAMP OFFERS LOCAL CHICAGO GIRLS AGES 8 TO 12 A TRANSFORMATIVE DAY OF CAREER EXPLORATION AND CONFIDENCE BUILDING. DURING CAMP, STUDENTS TAKE PART IN ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON SELF DISCOVERY, CURIOSITY, AND COURAGE WHILE PARTICIPATING IN HANDS ON ACTIVITIES, LIVELY GROUP DISCUSSIONS, AND CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR GUEST SPEAKERS. BUSINESS BLAST PROVIDES GRADUATES OF THE YEA! PROGRAM LOOKING TO TAKE THEIR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH MENTORSHIP AND GUIDANCE IN A SMALL GROUP SETTING ALONGSIDE OTHER YEA! FOUNDERS. GRADUATES OF THE YEA! PROGRAM ARE INVITED TO BECOME STUDENT AMBASSADORS, WHERE THEY NOT ONLY GET TO TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH FEMALE STRONG, BUT ALSO MAKE CONNECTIONS AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH THEMSELVES AND THEIR BUSINESS.

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 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 June 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 September 2014.

    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.

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.