Dress for Success Worldwide logo

Dress for Success Worldwide

Public charity · Grantmaker New York, NY EIN: 13-4040377 Website

Dress for Success Worldwide is a New York-based public charity that supports unemployed and underemployed women seeking economic independence and progress in work and life. It oversees and provides support to a global network of independent local affiliates, and also delivers programming through service hubs in New York City and Chicago.

Dress for Success Worldwide at a glance

In short: Dress for Success Worldwide gave $1.6M across 47 grants in 2025 (avg $33K), top state Pennsylvania. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2025)
$1,568,218
+0.2% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
47
-2.1% vs 2024
Average grant
$33,366
+2.3% vs 2024
Median grant
$30,873
Total assets
$11,211,408
-6.3% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
0% first-time grantees (0 of 47, 2025)
Primary geography
Pennsylvania (9% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Dress for Success Worldwide

How to Apply

The organization’s website says the current cycle for applications to start an affiliate is closed. It does not provide a grant application process for outside applicants.

Contact

Mailing address: 1040 Avenue Of Americas 19Th Floor, New York, NY 10018
Phone: (212) 532-1922
Website: https://dressforsuccess.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Dress for Success Worldwide funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Dress for Success Greater Chicago: $120KDress for Success GreaterChicago$120KDress for Success Central Virginia: $105KDress for Success CentralVirginia$105KDress for Success Greater Philadelphia: $84KDress for Success GreaterPhiladelphia$84KDress for Success Atlanta: $66KDress for Success Atlanta$66KDress for Success Tampa Bay: $64KDress for Success Tampa Bay$64KDress for Success Boston: $62KDress for Success Boston$62KDress for Success Central New Jersy: $58KDress for Success Central NewJersy$58KDress for Success San Francisco: $56KDress for Success SanFrancisco$56KDress for Success Houston: $55KDress for Success Houston$55KDress for Success Cleveland: $51KDress for Success Cleveland$51K

The largest 2025 recipient was Dress for Success Greater Chicago ($120K). Together the top 10 received $721K.

Grant Size Distribution

259 grants across all recorded years

224<$50K28$50–100K6$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 224 grants of 259 (86%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Dress for Success Worldwide says its affiliate network operates in 130 cities and 15 countries. Its 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states; the largest state shares were Illinois (17%), Virginia (7%), California (7%), Pennsylvania (6%), and Ohio (6%).

Grant Distribution by State

38states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 47 itemized grants.

Cities

RaleighWinter ParkYpsilantiAlbanyAtlantaAustinBaltimoreBostonCharlestonCharlotteClevelandColumbusDenverFort MyersHarrisburgHartfordKansas CityLawrencevilleLouisvilleMadison

Is Dress for Success Worldwide open to new grantees?

0%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 0 of 47 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. How we count

  • 85% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 42% from 2022 to 2025. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M61 grants2020 53 grants2021 54 grants2022 57 grants2023 48 grants2024 47 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2021) to $1.9M (2023). In 2025 it made 47 grants totaling $1.6M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Dress for Success Greater Chicago Chicago, ILSupport of Member Organization$120,415
Dress for Success Central Virginia Richmond, VASupport of Member Organization$104,531
Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia Philadelphia, PASupport of Member Organization$83,788
Dress for Success Atlanta Atlanta, GASupport of Member Organization$65,792
Dress for Success Tampa Bay Tampa, FLSupport of Member Organization$64,098
Dress for Success Boston Boston, MASupport of Member Organization$61,972
Dress for Success Central New Jersy Lawrenceville, NJSupport of Member Organization$57,818
Dress for Success San Francisco San Francisco, CASupport of Member Organization$55,821
Dress for Success Houston Houston, TXSupport of Member Organization$55,469
Dress for Success Cleveland Cleveland, OHSupport of Member Organization$51,425
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2025$11,211,408$15,377,719$15,981,079$1,568,21847$237,672
2024$11,968,523$14,386,211$15,167,490$1,565,16948$218,208
2023$13,137,291$15,295,821$15,608,655$1,918,62357$183,251
2022$8,932,446$11,971,957$11,505,603$1,107,01454$98,293
2021$9,765,263$14,118,582$13,024,037$1,078,31853$111,121
2020$7,924,952$18,943,759$18,971,859$1,139,21561$154,672

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Dress for Success Worldwide’s stated mission is to support unemployed and underemployed women to achieve economic independence and thrive in work and in life. Its programming addresses career readiness, skill-building, peer support, and access to professional attire. In 2024, the organization also expanded initiatives in entrepreneurship, mental health and well-being, and financial literacy.

The organization’s 2024 grants were reported as support for member organizations. Examples include Dress for Success San Francisco, whose stated mission is to empower women to achieve economic independence through support, professional attire, and development tools; Dress for Success Columbus, which says it provides interview-appropriate clothing and empowers women to enter and remain in the workplace; and Dress for Success Washington DC, which says it provides professional attire for interviews and the first day on the job to low-income women.

Grantmaking

In 2024, Dress for Success Worldwide reported 48 grants totaling $1,565,169. Grant amounts ranged from $5,427 to $269,500, with a median of $19,198. The largest awards included $269,500 to Dress for Success Greater Chicago, $115,681 to Dress for Success Central Virginia, and $91,595 to Dress for Success San Francisco; each was described as support of a member organization. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 47 grants totaling $1.6 million.

Other notable 2024 awards included $71,821 to Dress for Success Atlanta, $65,290 to Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia, $63,939 to Dress for Success Denver, and $56,164 to Dress for Success Washington DC.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Erica Frontero as chair, Kelly Cusick Dropchinski as secretary, and Renee LaRoche-Morris as treasurer. It also lists Elena Kiam, Melony Butler, Anu Aiyengar, Janessa Cox-Irvin, Loretta Marcoccia, Frank Aquila, and Dierdre Fitzgerald as board members.

Dress for Success Worldwide is led by Michele Meyer-Shipp, CEO on every filing since 2022; 11 of 28 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Michele Meyer-Shipp

    CEO

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $350K (2022) → $652K (2025)

  • Joan M. Bily

    CEO

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $78K (2025)

  • Erica Frontiero

    Chair

    Board Member → Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer Wuerz

    Director Nyc

    Interim Director Nyc → Director Nyc, 2025

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $125K (2023) → $124K (2025)

  • Roberto Schiattino Figueroa

    Director of Communications

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $111K (2024) → $123K (2025)

  • Jennifer Nix

    Senior Director of Affiliate Impact

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $125K (2025)

  • Julie Carandang

    Director of Mel

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $108K (2025)

  • Arlene Lozano

    Chief Affiliate Impact Officer

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $228K (2024) → $233K (2025)

  • Armine Arustamyan

    Chief Operating Officer

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $231K (2025)

  • Marc Amiel

    People & Culture Lead

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $117K (2025)

  • Patrice Anderson

    Vice President of Communications

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $169K (2025)

  • Rebecca Mantey

    Chief Development Officer

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $232K (2025)

  • Dale Bornstein

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Elena Kiam

    Board Member

    Chair → Board Member, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Frank Aquila

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jean Selden Greene

    Board Member

    Chair Elect → Board Member, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer Windbeck

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Joyce Russell

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Janessa Cox-Irvin

    Board Member

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Loretta Marcoccia

    Board Member

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ami Palan

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Felicia Hale

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer Klein

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sachin Nanavati

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bart Shuldman

    Treasurer

    Board Member → Treasurer, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tracy Nolan

    Secretary

    Board Member → Secretary, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Deirdre Fitzgerald

    Board Member

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lynn Cox

    Board Member

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (30)
  • Former: Elizabeth Carey (2020–2024) — Chief Affiliate & Sustainability Officer
  • Former: Joanne Leighton (2020–2024) — Controller
  • Former: Kelly Cusick Dropchinski (2020–2024) — Secretary
  • Former: Renee Laroche-Morris (2020–2024) — Treasurer
  • Former: Anu Aiyengar (2021–2024) — Board Member
  • Former: Cheryl Kern (2021–2024) — Board Member
  • Former: Dierdre Fitzgerald (2023–2024) — Board Member
  • Former: Marion Menzies (2024) — Board Member
  • Former: Melony Butler (2024) — Board Member
  • Former: Tonya Peck (2024) — Director Program Transformation
  • Former: Brenda Saunderstodd (2020–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Krista Bourne (2020–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Lucy Kaylin (2020–2023) — Board Member - Til
  • Former: Wendy Longwood (2020–2023) — COO
  • Former: Linda Findley (2021–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Natalie Borneo (2021–2023) — Senior Director Program Operations
  • Former: Erica Frontiero Board Member (2023) — - Til & Chair-Elect
  • Former: Jan M. Dahms (2023) — Chief Advancement Officer
  • Former: Jean Selden Greene Chair-Elect (2023) — - Til & Board Member
  • Former: Nanci Roth (2023) — Product Marketing Director
  • Former: Tonya Peck Director Of (2023) — Program Transformation - Til
  • Former: Dusty Kirk (2020–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Jeanette Duffy (2020–2022) — Chief Program Officer
  • Former: Jenny Lai (2020–2022) — Vice President of Development
  • Former: Joi Gordon (2020–2022) — CEO
  • Former: Patricia Steele (2020–2022) — Vice President of Mkt & Committee
  • Former: Frances Thompkins (2020–2021) — Secretary
  • Former: Niki Leondakis (2020–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Linda Kozlowski (2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Nick Buzzell (2020) — Board Member

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Michele Meyer-Shipp — CEO, (Until 7/9/2025): $652KMichele Meyer-ShippCEO, (Until 7/9/2025)$652KArlene Lozano — Chief Affiliate Impact Officer: $233KArlene LozanoChief Affiliate Impact Officer$233KRebecca Mantey — Chief Development Officer: $232KRebecca ManteyChief Development Officer$232KArmine Arustamyan — Chief Operating Officer: $231KArmine ArustamyanChief Operating Officer$231KPatrice Anderson — VP of Communications: $169KPatrice AndersonVP of Communications$169KJennifer Nix — Sr. Director of Affiliate Impact: $125KJennifer NixSr. Director of Affiliate Impact$125KJennifer Wuerz — Director NYC: $124KJennifer WuerzDirector NYC$124KRoberto Schiattino Figueroa — Director of Communications: $123KRoberto Schiattino…Director of Communications$123KMarc Amiel — People and Culture Lead: $117KMarc AmielPeople and Culture Lead$117KJulie Carandang — Director of Mel: $108KJulie CarandangDirector of Mel$108KJoan M Bily — CEO, (From 10/21/2025): $78KJoan M BilyCEO, (From 10/21/2025)$78K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $652K, to Michele Meyer-Shipp (CEO, (Until 7/9/2025)). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Dress for Success Worldwide

How much does Dress for Success Worldwide give each year?

Dress for Success Worldwide gave $1.6M across 47 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.6M across 48 grants.

What is Dress for Success Worldwide's typical grant size?

Dress for Success Worldwide's median grant in 2025 was $30,873, and its average grant was $33,366, across 47 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Where does Dress for Success Worldwide give grants?

Dress for Success Worldwide's top state is Pennsylvania, with 9% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Ohio (9%) and Illinois (8%).

Does Dress for Success Worldwide give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 47 grants with a stated purpose on Dress for Success Worldwide's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support of Member Organization" (47 grants).

Who are Dress for Success Worldwide's largest grantees?

Dress for Success Worldwide's largest 2025 grantees include Dress for Success Greater Chicago ($120,415), Dress for Success Central Virginia ($104,531) and Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia ($83,788), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Dress for Success Worldwide?

Dress for Success Worldwide reported $11.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $15.4M.

What does Dress for Success Worldwide fund?

Dress for Success Worldwide’s stated mission is to support unemployed and underemployed women to achieve economic independence and thrive in work and in life. Its programming addresses career readiness, skill-building, peer support, and access to professional attire. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Dress for Success Worldwide?

The organization’s website says the current cycle for applications to start an affiliate is closed. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Dress for Success Worldwide's EIN?

Dress for Success Worldwide's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-4040377. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(7)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 31, 2026)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 22, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 23, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 25, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 15, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Dress for Success Worldwide funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/dress-for-success-worldwide-morg_8b9c7f28818a481083c6624d6bd91818

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_134040377_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Dress for Success Worldwide funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/dress-for-success-worldwide-morg_8b9c7f28818a481083c6624d6bd91818},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-11-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from Dress for Success Worldwide's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

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