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Garment Worker Center

EIN 81-0622327 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceWeak33 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GARMENT WORKER CENTER (GWC) IS A WORKER RIGHTS ORGANIZATION LEADING AN ANTI-SWEATSHOP MOVEMENT TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LOS ANGELES GARMENT WORKERS. THROUGH DIRECT ORGANIZING, GWC DEVELOPS LEADERS WHO DEMAND ENFORCEMENT OF STRONG LABOR LAWS AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM FACTORY OWNERS, MANUFACTURERS, AND FASHION BRANDS. WE CENTER IMMIGRANT WORKERS, WOMEN OF COLOR, AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE IMPACTED BY EXPLOITATION IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY.

Income
$10.1 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-12 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 92%
Employees
26
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$138,379, 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 72% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 306% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 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 (1)
  1. $2.4 million spent. LINE 3 - We closed our Emergency Fund for financial hardship due to a reduction in donations and grants. LINE 4A - PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS Worker Education and Training: We held approximately 87 workshops and trainings with approximately 135 workers and youth. We conducted approximately 174 hours of training in worker rights, organizing strategies, occupational health and safety, public health, garment industry structure and trends, campaign development, media work, mental health, and worker-owned cooperative development. Outreach: We reached approximately 6,250 workers and youth with educational materials by flyering outside of garment factories, at public locations within the garment district, at schools and universities, and via mass text. From those contacts, we conducted approximately 580 1-1 organizing consultations with workers and youth. Legal Representation: We assisted 194 workers with wage claims, including consultations, wage calculations, filling out claim forms and demand letters, settlement negotiations, representation at hearings, and filing Statements of Interest for Deferred Action for Labor Enforcement cases. Through our representation, workers collected approximately $878,000 in owed wages and penalties. Policy Advocacy: We spent approximately 124 hours advocating for local policy to support and revitalize the LA garment industry, and the federal FABRIC Act for stronger labor protections. Workforce Development: We collaborated with ally organizations and high-road businesses to develop strategies for job creation and industry revitalization. Support Services: We continued to provide support services in the form of resource referrals. Our services include food assistance through food distribution events, support with applications for public assistance, legal and social assistance referrals. We managed 191 cases in 2024.

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 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 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 November 2006.

    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.