Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Work Options for Women

EIN 84-1364292 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WORK OPTIONS FOR WOMEN HELPS PEOPLE OVERCOME BARRIERS TO SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT BY BUILDING CONFIDENCE WHILE PROVIDING RESOURCES AND CULINARY TRAINING.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
35
Volunteers
371
Highest pay
$129,113, executive dir.

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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, $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

    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

    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 (1)
  1. $2.1 million spent. Food Provisions:In 2025, Work Options provided a total of 111,410 nutritious meals to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity and housing instability.- 109,000 fully prepared, nourishing meals were delivered to residents of Colorado Villages Micro Communities at the Monroe and Steele sites, providing three meals per day to individuals transitioning out of homelessness.- 2,260 meals were provided to Work Options program participants, all of whom experience food insecurity, supporting daily access to breakfast and lunch during training and employment preparation.- Located at the Mosaic Campus, which also serves Denver Public Schools and low income seniors and families, Work Options launched its first Thanksgiving community meal in 2025, serving 150 neighbors at no cost to them. This initiative will continue as an annual community tradition in the years ahead. We plan to feed 250 for 2026.Culinary Job Training & Employment Services:In 2025, Work Options provided culinary job training and employment services to 230 adults from historically excluded backgrounds, many of whom experienced justice involvement, homelessness, trauma, or long-term unemployment.- Out of 230 enrolled, 210 participants (91%) successfully completed culinary job training, exceeding program completion targets.- 148 graduates (70%) secured employment in the culinary and hospitality sector following program completion.- 69% graduates remained employed six months after placement, demonstrating sustained workforce engagement.- Participants earned 1,537 industry-recognized certifications, including ServSafe Food Handler, Restaurant Ready, and Allergen certifications.- Training delivery included 5,980 hours of job readiness instruction, 25,300 hours of hands-on kitchen training, and 2,806 hours of individualized case management support.In addition to workforce outcomes, program participants contributed directly to community food security by preparing 111,410 nutritious meals for individuals transitioning out of homelessness, program participants experiencing food insecurity, and neighbors served through community meal initiatives, reinforcing Work Options integrated model of workforce development and large-scale food access.Student Demographic Info:Work Options serves a highly diverse population facing significant and compounded economic and social barriers. Many of our students hold multiple intersecting identities and have experienced stigma and discrimination, which have limited their access to stable employment and economic opportunity. Participants identify as 43% female, 54% male, 2% non-binary, and 1% LGBTQIA+. Eighty-one percent identify as people of color, including 32% African American, 18% multiracial, 17% Hispanic/Latinx, and 14% Asian American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander. Most participants are working age adults,with 82% ages 25 to 64 and 15% ages 18 to 24. Many face systemic barriers, including 64% whoare justice involved, 29% with felony convictions, 64% who have experienced homelessness,46% living with invisible disabilities, 41% survivors of domestic violence, and 18% formerly in foster care. These demographics reflect Work Options commitment to expanding food access and employment opportunities for those disproportionately impacted by poverty and instability.

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 March 1997.

    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.