Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Dignity Grows Inc

EIN 85-2708901 · Hartford, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Dignity Grows is at the forefront of the response to the skyrocketing rate of Period Poverty through groundbreaking national research in partnership with top academic institutions, data-driven social policy change fostered by an extensive collaborative network, and national assemblies of powerhouse philanthropic, industry, and community change-makers. As the nonprofit leader in systemic change to end Period Poverty in the USA, the Dignity Grows model ensures direct hygiene support for tens of thousands of women and girls each year through the Hope in a Bag and Hope in a Backpack programs, powered by a collaborative, curated nexus of 60+ metro-area communities. Dignity Grows is the only national movement supplying menstrual hygiene necessities paired with comprehensive hygiene products for individuals and families to access in their own homes.

Income
$865,607
Spending
$703,178
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
5
Volunteers
5,000
Highest pay
$86,400, president & coo

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 52% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 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

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $272,086 spent. Dignity Grows' signature, Hope in a Bag program, reached over 56,000 underserved women and girls in 2024, providing critical menstrual necessities and hygiene care nationwide. Nearly 40% of this impact supported school-aged girls and their families, helping students remain in class and engaged in extracurricular activities without interruption. This work was made possible through dedicated partnerships with 550 community organizations across metro, urban, and rural communities in 30 states. Facilitated through a hometown chapter model, Hope in a Bag, mobilized a national network of 5,300 volunteers to learn about Period Poverty and assemble monthly hygiene kits for routine distribution this year.
  2. $78,498 spent. In 2024, Dignity Grows piloted Hope in a Backpack, a new large-scale direct product support program, designed to strengthen entire communities. By addressing menstrual hygiene insecurity across whole zip codes, school districts, healthcare systems, and Indigenous communities, this initiative advances systemic change, ensuring women and girls can pursue their goals free from the disruptive effects of Period Poverty. Hope in a Backpack launched in Petersburg, VA, where it established a collaborative menstrual hygiene support system for every female student in the middle school and high school. Over three-quarters of the families served reported that this hygiene support positively affected the economic stability of their household.
  3. $221,665 spent. Dignity Grows launched the Period Poverty Institute of America in 2024, establishing the nation's first clearinghouse for research, educational materials, and action-focused collaboration dedicated to this critical public health issue. The Institute provides a virtual home for evidence-based resources and data-driven strategies, elevating Period Poverty from an often overlooked challenge to a recognized determinant of health and opportunity. Dignity Grows' ongoing National Research Initiative on Period Poverty focuses on the prevalence and lived experience of Period Poverty, in conjunction with the Institute. By fostering innovation and access to menstrual equity education, the Institute positions Dignity Grows at the forefront of systemic solutions to end Period Poverty in America.

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 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 October 2020.

    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.