Dress For Success Worldwide
Dress For Success Worldwide shows consistent asset growth despite recent operating deficit and no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 134040377 · New York, NY · NTEE: Q320 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Dress For Success Worldwide Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Dress For Success Worldwide directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Dress For Success Worldwide
Dress For Success Worldwide (EIN: 134040377) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code Q320. The organization reported total revenue of $14.5M and total assets of $12.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Dress For Success Worldwide's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Dress For Success Worldwide with a Mission Score of 88 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Dress For Success Worldwide allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size ($15M+ revenue) and suggests either a volunteer leadership model or that executive compensation is categorized differently within their financial statements.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Dress For Success Worldwide's IRS 990 filings:
- Operating deficit in the most recent fiscal period (202312), with expenses exceeding revenue by $312,834.
- Significant increase in liabilities in 202312 to $3,393,241, up from $942,070 in 202212, which warrants monitoring.
- Unusual consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, which may obscure actual executive remuneration if it's categorized elsewhere.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Dress For Success Worldwide:
- Consistent growth in assets, reaching $13,137,291 in 202312, indicating strong financial management and long-term stability.
- Strong program spending ratio (estimated 85%), suggesting efficient use of funds directly towards its mission.
- High transparency with 13 IRS 990 filings available.
- Positive operating surpluses in multiple recent years (e.g., 202212 and 202112) demonstrating effective financial management in those periods.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dress For Success Worldwide
Is Dress For Success Worldwide a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Dress For Success Worldwide (EIN: 134040377) some concerns. Mission Score: 88/100. 3 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Dress For Success Worldwide spend its money?
Dress For Success Worldwide directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Dress For Success Worldwide tax-deductible?
Dress For Success Worldwide is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 134040377). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Dress For Success Worldwide a good charity?
Based on the available IRS 990 data, Dress For Success Worldwide appears to be a good charity. It demonstrates strong program spending, consistent asset growth, and a high degree of transparency through its regular filings. The lack of reported officer compensation is a unique aspect that could be viewed positively by donors.
How has Dress For Success Worldwide's revenue trended over time?
Dress For Success Worldwide's revenue has fluctuated over the past decade, peaking at $23,479,490 in 201512 and $22,648,168 in 201712, then declining to $11,971,957 in 202212 before recovering to $15,295,821 in 202312. This indicates a non-linear but generally robust fundraising capacity.
What is the organization's financial stability?
The organization's financial stability is generally strong, with assets consistently growing from $5,526,354 in 201412 to $13,137,291 in 202312. While there was a slight operating deficit in the most recent period ($15,295,821 revenue vs. $15,608,655 expenses), the substantial asset base provides a good buffer.
Why is officer compensation reported as 0%?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is highly unusual for an organization of this scale. It could indicate that the organization relies on volunteer leadership, or that compensation for key executives is reported under other expense categories, which would require further clarification from the organization.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Dress For Success Worldwide showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Dress For Success Worldwide's revenue has declined by 5.9%, moving from $16.3M to $15.3M. Total assets increased by 158.5% over the same period, from $5.1M to $13.1M. Total functional expenses fell by 1.4%, from $15.8M to $15.6M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Dress For Success Worldwide reported a deficit of $313K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $3.4M in liabilities against $13.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 25.8%), resulting in net assets of $9.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $15.3M | $15.6M | $13.1M | $3.4M | — | — |
| 2022 | $12.0M | $11.5M | $8.9M | $942K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $14.1M | $13.0M | $9.8M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $18.9M | $19.0M | $7.9M | $1.0M | — | — |
| 2019 | $15.2M | $14.1M | $7.4M | $800K | — | — |
| 2018 | $20.5M | $20.8M | $6.2M | $643K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $22.6M | $22.4M | $6.7M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $21.4M | $21.2M | $6.4M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $23.5M | $23.1M | $7.4M | $2.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $16.9M | $16.9M | $5.5M | $751K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $17.8M | $16.7M | $7.7M | $3.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $15.9M | $15.7M | $6.8M | $3.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $16.3M | $15.8M | $5.1M | $1.4M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $15.3M, expenses of $15.6M, and assets of $13.1M (revenue +27.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $12.0M, expenses of $11.5M, and assets of $8.9M (revenue -15.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $14.1M, expenses of $13.0M, and assets of $9.8M (revenue -25.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $18.9M, expenses of $19.0M, and assets of $7.9M (revenue +24.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $15.2M, expenses of $14.1M, and assets of $7.4M (revenue -25.7% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $20.5M, expenses of $20.8M, and assets of $6.2M (revenue -9.5% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $22.6M, expenses of $22.4M, and assets of $6.7M (revenue +5.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $21.4M, expenses of $21.2M, and assets of $6.4M (revenue -8.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $23.5M, expenses of $23.1M, and assets of $7.4M (revenue +38.8% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $16.9M, expenses of $16.9M, and assets of $5.5M (revenue -4.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $17.8M, expenses of $16.7M, and assets of $7.7M (revenue +11.7% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $15.9M, expenses of $15.7M, and assets of $6.8M (revenue -2.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $16.3M, expenses of $15.8M, and assets of $5.1M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Dress For Success Worldwide is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.