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Dress for Success Charity

EIN 72-1444242 · New Orleans, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE OF DISADVANTAGED WOMEN BY PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE AND A NETWORK OF SUPPORT AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT TOOLS TO HELP WOMEN THRIVE IN WORK AND IN LIFE.

Income
$310,429
Spending
$380,395
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
3
Volunteers
164
Highest pay
$57,952, executive director

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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (6)
  1. $201,382 spent. SUITING - PROVIDES JOB-READY WOMEN WITH PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE, SHOES AND ACCESSORIES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY ENCOURAGEMENT. VOLUNTEERS GUIDED BY STAFF EMPOWER WOMEN TO FEEL THEIR BEST WHILE JOB SEARCHING AND IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF EMPLOYMENT. VOLUNTEER PERSONAL STYLISTS WORK WITH WOMEN TO HELP THEM SELECT AN INTERVIEW OUTFIT AND ALSO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FOR THEIR UPCOMING INTERVIEWS. IN 2024, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED 513 SUITING APPOINTMENTS TO 451 UNIQUE WOMEN IN THE SUITING PROGRAM.
  2. $44,632 spent. THE COCA-COLA FOUNDATION HOSPITALITY CORNER (WITHIN THE SUITING PROGRAM) - SUPPLIES EMPLOYED WOMEN IN THE HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM INDUSTRY WITH UNIFORM ATTIRE INCLUDING BLACK ARAMARK PANTS, OXFORD BLACK OR WHITE BUTTON DOWN DRESS SHIRTS, BLACK NON-SLIP KLOG SHOES, AND EITHER BOW OR STRAIGHT TIES. THIS PROGRAM NOT ONLY SUPPORTS NEW ORLEANS HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, BUT ALSO SUPPLIES NEWLY EMPLOYED WOMEN WITH THEIR CRITICAL FIRST UNIFORM ATTIRE SO SHE CAN GET TO WORK AND SPEND HER FIRST PAYCHECK ON IMMEDIATE NEEDS, LIKE FOOD, RENT AND CHILDCARE.
  3. $24,796 spent. PROFESSIONAL WOMENS GROUP (EMPLOYMENT RETENTION PROGRAM) - BOLSTERS THE CAREERS OF SUCCESSFULLY EMPLOYED DFSNO WOMEN BY PROVIDING THEM WITH A NETWORK OF SUPPORT, PRACTICAL INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION TO REMAIN EMPLOYED SO THEY CAN TRULY THRIVE. MONTHLY MEETINGS COVER CURRICULUM IN WORKPLACE ETIQUETTE, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, HEALTH & WELLNESS, WORK/LIFE BALANCE AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY & LEADERSHIP.
  4. $16,531 spent. DIGITAL SKILLS READY - PROVIDES ON-DEMAND TRAINING IN THE DIGITAL ESSENTIALS NEEDED TO FIND AND SECURE A JOB, CHANGE CAREERS, OR EXPLORE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND HELP INCREASE OLDER ADULTS ECONOMIC SECURITY.
  5. $16,530 spent. CAPITAL ONE CAREER CENTER - GOES BEYOND THE SUIT TO RAISE CHANCES OF SUCCESS IN A COMPETITIVE JOB MARKET. VOLUNTEER CAREER COACHES WORK ONE-ON-ONE WITH CLIENTS TO IDENTIFY PROFESSIONAL GOALS, GUIDE JOB SEARCHES, CRAFT SUPERIOR RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS, AND CONDUCT MOCK INTERVIEWS.
  6. $13,225 spent. MENTORSHIP PROGRAM - HELPS WOMEN BUILD A NETWORK OF SUPPORT AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT TOOLS. MENTORS AND MENTEES AREGUIDED TO FOSTER A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE PARTICIPANTS CAN QUESTION AND REFLECT UPON THEIR PROFESSIONAL CHOICES AS THEY RELATE TO DEVELOPING A CAREER.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 1999.

    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.