Womens Way

What it reported doing in 2024

PUBLIC EDUCATION: GENDER EQUITY DESIGNER PROGRAM In 2025, we launched the Gender Equity Designer Program (GEEP) whose purpose is to advance the efforts, knowledge, and impact of organizations, coalitions, and grassroots groups from the care sector who are working to strengthen alternative care models that are equitable, inclusive, and contribute to long-term social transformation. GEEP includes three components: multi-year general operating support, a wellness fund, and the Gender Equity Designer Program which is a 6-month learning collaborative that empowers practitioners to design and evaluate effective equity strategies that center individuals and communities historically impacted by gender and racial inequities by adopting an equity mindset. Participants learn best practices, powerful techniques, key performance indicators and meaningful milestones for designing equitable organizations, communities, and systems. The first cohort includes four nonprofit organizations in the care sector. CLOSING THE GENDER WEALTH GAP EDUCATION SERIES In 2025, we hosted four virtual forums exploring the steps needed to build a more inclusive economy and the alternative models and initiatives that can serve as its foundation. Topics addressed the different dimensions of the Gender Wealth Framework, a process and toolkit that different stakeholders can use to design and evaluate strategies to incorporate gender equity into their organizations. A total of 565 individuals attended and/or viewed the recordings of the sessions, and more than 300 individuals were mobilized to act in pursuit of advancing gender and racial equity. Of those who completed the post-session survey, 89% of respondents rated each session "very good or better." ANNUAL GENDER WEALTH SUMMIT Each year, WOMEN'S WAY conducts the Annual Gender Wealth Summit that brings together funders, advocates, and community members for a half-day experience focused on reimagining our economy and expanding collective well-being. Through a mix of panels, mini-lectures, and interactive breakout groups, we deepen our understanding of the gender wealth gap, explore innovative economic models, and build momentum towards lasting systems change. In 2025, WOMEN'S WAY conducted the 4th Annual Gender Wealth Summit during which 100 stakeholders came together to discuss strategies to strengthen and reimagine the social safety net. A report was created that included lessons learned from the Summit and action steps cross-sector stakeholders can take to strengthen the social safety net. In addition, 35 individuals signed up to join the WOMEN'S WAY Advocacy Community which launched in January 2026. ADVOCACY In 2025, we designed and launched the Speakers' Bureau to empower women with lived experiences of economic insecurity to use narrative change skills for advocacy. Over seven months, ten participants explored writing, art, public speaking, organizing, and social media through expert-led workshops. Each participant received a small budget to advance their advocacy work, resulting in collaborations with local colleges and engagement with policymakers in Harrisburg. Their advocacy work plays a vital role in shaping a new cultural narrative - one grounded in the wisdom and lived experiences of all marginalized genders that takes root in communities, organization, and the halls of power. YOUNG WOMEN'S INITIATIVE (YWI) Now in its 28th year the WOMEN'S WAY Young Women's Initiative (YWI) is a dynamic group of people between the ages of 21 and 45 who identify as women or gender expansive / gender non-conforming / non-binary. This volunteer-led young friends' group is composed of individuals who are focused on social justice and dedicated to advancing gender equity. YWI works to develop its members as community and business leaders, advocates for social change, and civically engaged philanthropists raising critical funds for WOMEN'S WAY. It also serves as a way to connect with progressive peers and make a difference i

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 62.4%; rating input score 62
• Program expense ratio: 90.7%; rating input score 91
• Fundraising efficiency: $58.68 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 80; 80th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.1%; rating input score 94; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 97.2%; rating input score 97; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• 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: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 42.2%; rating input score 90; 90th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.74; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 23.4%; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 11.2% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 19.3% per year; rating input score 100; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2.7% per year; rating input score 100; 23rd percentile among comparable filings