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Leading Women Defined Foundation

EIN 83-1985291 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LEADING WOMEN DEFINED PROVIDES AN UNPARALLELED, ONE-OF-A-KIND PLATFORM THAT EQUIPS AND EMPOWERS WOMEN, ESPECIALLY BLACK WOMEN, TO LEAD WITH PURPOSE, CONVICTION, AND INFLUENCE. WE CREATE TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES FOUND NOWHERE ELSE, NURTURE A SUPPORTIVE SISTERHOOD, AMPLIFY THEIR VOICES, INSPIRE GROWTH, AND SPARK SOCIAL IMPACTULTIMATELY FORGING A LEGACY OF LASTING SIGNIFICANCE.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
3
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$194,621, 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: 46 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    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

    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

    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 (4)
  1. $1.6 million spent. LWD SUMMIT - THIS EXCLUSIVE, INVITATION-ONLY ANNUAL SUMMIT BRINGS TOGETHER ACCOMPLISHED WOMEN, ESPECIALLY BLACK WOMEN, FROM VARIED INDUSTRIES FOR FORWARD-THINKING CONVERSATIONS ON LEADERSHIP, WELLNESS, AND SOCIAL IMPACT. ATTENDEES ENGAGE IN UNPARALLELED NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES, ATTEND INSPIRING FIRESIDE CHATS, AND IMPLEMENT ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES TO ELEVATE THEIR LEADERSHIP JOURNEYS AND AMPLIFY THEIR INFLUENCE.IN 2024, THE SUMMIT CENTERED ON THE THEME "POWER:FULL," CELEBRATING THE INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE POWER WOMEN WIELD, WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE ENERGY AND VITALITY REQUIRED TO PERFORM AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS. PROGRAMMING AND CONVERSATIONS EXPLORED HOW TO NAVIGATE THESE SPACES WHILE PRIORITIZING THE REPLENISHMENT NEEDED TO SHOW UP AS THE BEST, MOST FULL, AND AUTHENTIC VERSION OF ONESELF.
  2. $379,882 spent. LWD RISING LEADERS SUMMIT - THE RISING LEADERS PROGRAM IS A SELECT INITIATIVE TAILORED FOR HIGH-ACHIEVING WOMEN AGED 25 TO 35. BY INVITATION, PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE PERSONALIZED MENTORSHIP, ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND THE CONFIDENCE TO DRIVE MEANINGFUL CHANGE IN BOTH THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIVES. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, WOMEN CULTIVATE VALUABLE MENTORSHIP RELATIONSHIPS AND GAIN THE TOOLS NEEDED TO EXCEL ACROSS PRIVATE, PUBLIC, AND NONPROFIT SECTORS. EMPHASIZING HOLISTIC GROWTH, THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT, EMPOWERING EACH LEADER TO CREATE A LASTING LEGACY OF IMPACT.
  3. $203,865 spent. LWD FORUM @ THE PALEY MUSEUM, NYC - A PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE THAT EXPLORED THE INTERSECTION OF MEDIA, CULTURE, AND LEADERSHIP. THROUGH CURATED PANELS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS, THIS PROGRAM AMPLIFIED THE VOICES OF WOMEN, ESPECIALLY BLACK WOMEN IN MEDIA, FOSTERING CONVERSATIONS THAT DROVE REPRESENTATION AND IMPACT.
  4. $125,235 spent. LWD SAVOR THE SUMMER - THE SAVOR THE SUMMER EVENT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECHARGE AND REFRESH IN THE OASIS OF SISTERHOOD TO CREATE SPACE FOR SELF-CARE AND SERENDIPITY.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2018.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.