Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Shes the First Inc

EIN 65-1321437 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SHE'S THE FIRST (STF) TEAMS UP WITH GRASSROOTS LEADERS TO MAKE SURE GIRLS EVERYWHERE ARE EDUCATED, RESPECTED, AND HEARD. OUR VISION IS A WORLD WHERE EVERY GIRL CAN CHOOSE HER OWN FUTURE.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
10.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
5
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$131,564, president, co-founder & co-ceo

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 (4)
  1. $252,271 spent. MENTORSHIP AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS: ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR PARTNER COALITION RECEIVE FLEXIBLE GRANTS, TO SUPPORT GIRLS' ACCESS TO SCHOOL AND AFTER-SCHOOL MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS. OUR COHORT COLLABORATES ON SHARED GOALS TO INCREASE GIRLS' AGENCY THROUGH MENTORSHIP, AND WE ASSIST WITH MEASUREMENT TOOLS TO REPORT THOSE OUTCOMES. TO FURTHER THESE GOALS, WE ALSO CREATE CAPTIVATING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES THAT ENGAGE GIRLS IN LEARNING ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND BODIES.
  2. $184,112 spent. THE GIRLS FIRST INSTITUTE: THE GIRLS FIRST INSTITUTE IS A LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR WOMEN SERVING GIRLS IN EAST AND WEST AFRICA, LATIN AMERICA, AND SOUTH ASIA. IT OFFERS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS, IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL TRAINING EVENTS, AND DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES WITH IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT AND EVALUATION. THERE IS AN EMPHASIS ON 1) DESIGNING SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS (SRHR) PROGRAMS FOR GIRLS; 2) CREATING SAFE, EMPOWERING SPACES FOR GIRLS; AND 3) USING FACILITATION TECHNIQUES TO ENCOURAGE OPEN DIALOGUE AND INSPIRE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. WE ALSO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP SOLID GOVERNANCE, FINANCIAL, AND FUNDRAISING PRACTICES, FOR LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY.
  3. $130,376 spent. GIRLS' LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS: WE ENGAGE GIRLS ON EVERY CONTINENT IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, VIA OUR 122 CHAPTERS AND GIRL ACTIVIST FELLOWSHIP. WE CULTIVATE AN ANTI-OPPRESSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR GIRLS WITH DIVERSE LIVED EXPERIENCES. WE CONNECT THEIR SHARED TRAUMAS, OBSTACLES, HOPES, AND VISION--AND GUIDE THEM TO TAKE ACTION.
  4. $246,865 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS: SHE'S THE FIRST SUPPORTS ITS PROGRAMMATIC IMPACT THROUGH A SET OF CROSS-CUTTING INITIATIVES INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS AND STAFF CAPACITY BUILDING. COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS INCLUDING DIGITAL STORYTELLING, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND MEDIA OUTREACH ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION BY RAISING AWARENESS OF GIRLS' EDUCATION GLOBALLY AND MOBILIZING SUPPORTERS, DONORS, AND PARTNERS AROUND ITS WORK. STAFF RETREATS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONVENINGS STRENGTHEN THE TEAM'S CAPACITY TO DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMS, FOSTER ORGANIZATIONAL COHESION, AND SUPPORT THE WELLBEING OF STAFF WORKING ON COMPLEX INTERNATIONAL ISSUES. TOGETHER, THESE INITIATIVES ENSURE THE ORGANIZATION CAN SUSTAIN AND GROW ITS IMPACT FOR GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN WORLDWIDE.

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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 June 2011.

    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.