Women for Women International
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
IN COUNTRIES AFFECTED BY CONFLICT AND WAR, WOMEN FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL (WOMEN FOR WOMEN) SUPPORTS THE MOST MARGINALIZED WOMEN TO EARN AND SAVE MONEY, IMPROVE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, INFLUENCE DECISIONS IN THEIR HOME AND COMMUNITY, AND CONNECT TO NETWORKS SUPPORT. BY UTILIZING SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND RESOURCES, WOMEN ARE THEN ABLE TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE CHANGE FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $27.0 million
- Spending
- $28.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 49
- Volunteers
- 45
- Highest pay
- $325,778, chief executive officer (to 1/25)
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
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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 36% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (2)
- $21.4 million spent. TRAINING AND RELATED PROGRAMS OUR CORE WORK IS CENTERED ON OUR HOLISTIC, RIGHTS-BASED PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF MARGINALIZED WOMEN IN CONFLICT-AFFECTED COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. OUR YEAR-LONG BUNDLED INVESTMENT IN WOMEN INCLUDES INFORMATIONAL TRAINING; SKILL-BUILDING IN NUMERACY, BUSINESS SKILLS, AND A CHOSEN VOCATIONAL SKILL; RESOURCE PROVISION IN THE FORM OF A MONTHLY CASH STIPEND, ASSET TRANSFERS FOR VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, SAVINGS CHANNEL PROVISION, AND REFERRALS TO HEALTH AND LEGAL SERVICES; AND CONNECTIONS TO LOCAL WOMEN'S NETWORKS AND GLOBAL SUPPORTERS, AS WELL AS CONNECTIONS TO OTHER WOMEN, BY CREATING A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE SPACE WHERE WOMEN LEARN, SHARE, AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER TO INITIATE CHANGE IN THEIR LIVES.THIS BUNDLED APPROACH SUPPORTS THE MOST MARGINALIZED WOMEN IN MAKING PROGRESS IN FOUR KEY AREAS OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: EARNING AND SAVING; HEALTH AND WELLNESS; RIGHTS AND DECISION-MAKING; AND SOCIAL NETWORKS AND SAFETY NETS. WOMEN LEARN NUMERACY AND BASIC BUSINESS SKILLS THEY CAN USE TO START SELF-MANAGED BUSINESSES. WE PROVIDE HANDS-ON PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN ONE OF FIVE INCOME-GENERATING SECTORS: AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, FOOD PROCESSING, TRADE AND SERVICES, OR HANDICRAFTS AND MANUFACTURING. WOMEN LEARN HOW SAVING MONEY IS ESSENTIAL TO ESCAPE THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND EXPLORE DIFFERENT WAYS TO SAVE, WHETHER IN SAVINGS GROUPS OR FORMALLY THROUGH BANKS OR CREDIT UNIONS.OUR PROGRAM PROVIDES EACH PARTICIPANT WITH A TRAINING STIPEND OF $10 PER MONTH, WHICH CAN COVER TRAINING-RELATED EXPENSES, CONTRIBUTE TO HOUSEHOLD NEEDS, SUCH AS EDUCATION FOR GIRLS, AND HELP WOMEN BEGIN TO BUILD SAVINGS. WE ALSO ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO POOL THEIR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND RESOURCES AND PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION ON ESTABLISHING GROUP BUSINESSES AND COOPERATIVES, AS WELL AS CONNECTING THEM TO MICROCREDIT PROVIDERS.BECAUSE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT HEALTH IS A PRIMARY STEP IN BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND INCREASING THE USE OF HEALTH SERVICES, WE PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND MANAGEMENT OF KEY HEALTH CONCERNS, INCLUDING COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, NUTRITION, SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AND STRESS, HYGIENE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. WE WORK TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR OUR PARTICIPANTS TO ACCESS SUCH HEALTH SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN REMOTE AREAS, THROUGH MAPPING PROVIDERS, CREATING PARTNERSHIPS WITH HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, PROVIDING REFERRALS, AND NEGOTIATING LOWER RATES FOR CARE.WOMEN LEARN ABOUT GENDER EQUALITY AND THEIR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS. THEY LEARN ABOUT ASSET MANAGEMENT AND HOUSEHOLD DECISION-MAKING. OUR CURRICULUM DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND VOTING, AS WELL AS TEACHING CRITICAL SKILLS SUCH AS NEGOTIATION AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT. WOMEN LEARN WHAT THEY CAN DO AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A GROUP TO EXERCISE THEIR OWN RIGHTS IN THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO EDUCATE OTHER WOMEN ABOUT WHAT THEY LEARN.THE PROGRAM HELPS WOMEN LEARN HOW TO WORK TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE FOR AND MAKE TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES. AS A WOMAN MOVES THROUGH THE PROGRAM IN CLASSES OF 25, SHE SHARES IDEAS, RESOURCES, AND INFORMATION. SHE FORMS CLOSE BONDS WITH OTHER WOMEN, BUILDING STRONG SUPPORT NETWORKS. IN COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY CONFLICT, THESE NETWORKS ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT, AS THEY GIVE A WOMAN A PLACE TO GO FOR HELP AND, SOMETIMES, SURVIVAL. WOMEN USE THEIR NETWORKS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND OFTEN BUILD BUSINESSES TOGETHER.BY ENGAGING WITH MEN AND COMMUNITY STRUCTURES, WE ADDRESS DISCRIMINATORY NORMS AND PRACTICES AND ENHANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN TO DETERMINE THE COURSE OF THEIR LIVES AND REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. WE AIM TO SENSITIZE MEN TO ISSUES OF SEXUAL AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE, THE VALUE OF WOMEN'S WORK, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, GIRLS' EDUCATION, AND WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. IN EACH COUNTRY, MEN'S ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES AND TRAINING CONTENT ARE TAILORED TO THE CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS CONTEXT. WE CONNECT PROGRAM GRADUATES WITH ADVANCED TRAINING TO HELP THEM GROW AND SCALE PROMISING INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP BUSINESSES, PARTICULARLY IN MORE COMPLEX AND LUCRATIVE SECTORS. WE USE A GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY ADVOCACY APPROACH TO TRAIN WOMEN GRADUATES AS "CHANGE AGENTS," EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS, VIOLENCE PREVENTION, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. OUR WORK SHOWS THAT EVEN THE MOST TRAUMATIZED WOMAN, WHEN SUPPORTED BY HER PEERS AND GIVEN THE RIGHT RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES, CAN BUILD HER SELF-CONFIDENCE, GAIN FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE TO MANAGE ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITIES THAT YIELD BETTER PROFITS, CONTRIBUTE TO HOUSEHOLD DECISIONS, AND DEFEND HER RIGHTS.
- $1.4 million spent. MEDIA, COMMUNICATIONS, AND OUTREACH THE MEDIA, COMMUNICATIONS, AND OUTREACH PROGRAM CULTIVATES RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS, PARTNERS, AND MEDIA OUTLETS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF MARGINALIZED WOMEN SURVIVORS OF WAR AND CONFLICT, AND TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THEIR RESILIENCE AND THE IMPORTANT PROGRESS AND IMPACT OF OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS.THE PROGRAM EMPLOYS OUTREACH STRATEGIES TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND EDUCATE AUDIENCES ABOUT KEY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE CRITICAL ROLE SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT PLAYS IN ADVANCING WOMEN'S ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT AROUND THE GLOBE. THE PROGRAM'S PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS SEEK TO BUILD SUPPORT AND AWARENESS FOR THIS WORK THROUGH A VARIETY OF STRATEGIC ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SUPPORTING EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, INITIATING SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGNS, PUBLISHING MONTHLY DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS, AND CONVENING SPECIAL EVENTS AND MEETINGS.IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM PRODUCES MATERIALS AND PUBLISHES REPORTS THAT PROVIDE UPDATES AND IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS ON OPPORTUNITIES AND STRATEGIES FOR INCREASING POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR WOMEN. THESE PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE ANNUAL REPORTS, COUNTRY BRIEFS, AND ISSUE PAPERS, AS WELL AS DIGITAL UPDATES ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE.THROUGH ONLINE, OFFLINE, AND OTHER ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, THE PROGRAM STRIVES TO INFORM AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND CURRENT SUPPORTERS ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT GAINS AND PROGRESS THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED BY INVESTING IN WOMEN. BY ENGAGING PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND GRADUATES TO SHARE THEIR STORIES, THE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS COMPELLING EVIDENCE AND POWERFUL MESSAGES FROM WOMEN WHO ARE EMPOWERED TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES, AS WELL AS THOSE OF THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.COLLECTIVELY, THE PROGRAM'S EFFORTS SEEK TO UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF HOLISTIC TRAINING PROGRAMS, INCREASE SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT APPROACHES THAT SERVE WOMEN, AND EXPAND AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO ADOPT POLICIES THAT EMPOWER WOMEN IN THE REBUILDING OF COUNTRIES AND REGIONS IMPACTED BY WAR AND CONFLICT.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1994.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.
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