The Career Wardrobe

What it reported doing in 2024

History & overview of the organization: founded in 1995 by a group of philadelphia women committed to helping low- income women prepare for the workplace, the wardrobe has evolved over the past three decades to assist anyone in need of clothing support using trauma-informed, gender-affirming, and racial equity best practices. With locations in philadelphia, Delaware, bucks, montgomery and chester counties, and through our wardrobe box mail program, we ensure equitable access to high-quality clothing across the region and beyond. In january 2024, the wardrobe completed a merger with our chester county partner, wings for success, expanding our service footprint and strengthening clothing programs in exton and kennett square. The merger also allowed us to extend the wings for success education program, which now provides job readiness workshops in english and spanish, as well as individualized coaching to help participants achieve their career goals. In 2025, the wardrobe proudly celebrated our 30th anniversary-marking three decades of helping people look and feel their best so they can move forward in life and be seen for who they are or want to be. Since our founding, more than 100,000 people have left the wardrobe with more than just clothing-they've left with confidence, dignity and hope. Providing clothing as a basic need: for those facing poverty, reentry after incarceration, or other life disruptions, clothing is far more than fashion, it's a basic need tied to self-worth, opportunity, and belonging. A lack of appropriate clothing can prevent a job seeker from being considered for employment or cause a young person to miss school due to embarrassment or bullying. Survivors of domestic violence often leave behind all of their belongings, including clothing. That's why our programs provide both professional attire and everyday clothing-outfits for work and outfits for life-to help people meet immediate needs while preparing for long-term goals. Eliminating barriers to clothing and support: the wardrobe's trauma-informed, barrier-free model ensures that every participant can access the clothing they need without stigma or unnecessary requirements. Through open access, clients can self-schedule or drop in for appointments, while individuals on public benefits can self-refer. This flexibility has increased engagement and expanded our reach across the region. Each interaction, whether in person or by mail, is guided by respect, choice, and care. As one participant shared, "the compassion and care that was shown to me here made all the world of difference. I felt like a human being." our impact: supporting people to independence: the wardrobe's greatest impact lies in empowering people to take the next step in their journey, whether starting a new job, reentering society after incarceration, or pursuing education and independence. 90% of our participants leave the wardrobe feeling more professional, confident and prepared to take the next step in their journey to independence. For those who were unemployed, 50% have successfully transitioned to employment and 25% are in school or a training program that will lead to employment. One participant recently reflected, "with help from you, i've been able to pursue career opportunities, gain temporary employment, and through that work, i'm currently exhibiting my artwork at the barnes foundation" in fy2025, the wardrobe provided clothing through 7,551 appointments for 5,583 people across all locations-an 11% increase from the prior year. This includes 1,049 wardrobe boxes, a 7% increase from the prior year, reaching individuals who could not visit a wardrobe site in person due to distance or scheduling issues. In addition to clothing assistance, 1,522 participants took advantage of our wings for success support services program. Through this program we provide additional support beyond clothing such as access to coaches, workshops to assist with job searching, and open wardrobe days tha

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 88%; rating input score 88
• Program expense ratio: 85.2%; rating input score 85
• Fundraising efficiency: $7.65 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 29; 29th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -3.2%; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.69; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.68; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4.8%; rating input score 55; 55th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.1% per year; rating input score 100; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.9% per year; rating input score 100; 48th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 19.5% per year; rating input score 100; 83rd percentile among comparable filings