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Nonprofit · EIN 85-2708901

DIGNITY GROWS INC

Tax-exempt · HARTFORD, CT 06105

Financials

$571K$447K2023$866K$703K2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of DIGNITY GROWS INC by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2024990$865,607$703,178$162,429$531,273$133,132$398,141
December 31, 2023990$570,749$447,134$123,615$235,712$0$235,712
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$865,607
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$0
Other revenue
$0

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$50,639
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$86,401
Other salaries and wages
$122,331
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$225,509
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$24,410
Accounting fees
$6,145
Travel
$4,889
Program services (functional)
$572,249
Management and general (functional)
$42,825
Fundraising (functional)
$88,104

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$235,712
Total assets, end of year
$531,273
Total liabilities, end of year
$133,132
Net assets, end of year
$398,141
Net assets without donor restrictions
$94,763
Net assets with donor restrictions
$303,378
Gross receipts
$865,607
Employees
5
Volunteers
5,000
Year formed
2020
State of legal domicile
CT

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
Jennifer TolmanPresident & COO
Officer
40$86,400
Jessica ZachsBoard Chair/CEO
Trustee or director, Officer
40$1
Paige MaeharaBoard Treasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
Michelle StrawderBoard Secretary eff 1/1/2024
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
Stacie BrockmanBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0
Maria LinoBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0
Daphne BazileBoard Member Eff 1/2024
Trustee or director
1$0
Brenda MarieBoard Member Eff 1/2024
Trustee or director
1$0
Sofie BrandtBoard Secretary end 1/1/2024
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 7 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
Jennifer TolmanExecutive Director
Officer
40$71,400
Jessica ZachsBoard Chair/CEO
Trustee or director, Officer
40$1
Sofie BrandtBoard Secretary
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
Paige MaeharaBoard Treasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
Michelle StrawderBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0
Stacie BrockmanBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0
Maria LinoBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
40 WOODLAND ST, HARTFORD, CT 06105-2327
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
Jessica Zachs, 40 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105
Signed the 990
Jennifer Tolman Schwartzman, President & COO
Phone
(860) 727-5713
Return prepared by
Lifeboat Accounting PLLC

Mission

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.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Program accomplishments

  • 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.
    Expenses $272,086 · grants $46,743
  • 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.
    Expenses $78,498
  • 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.
    Expenses $221,665

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026Check at the IRS
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
85-2708901
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2020
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Human services (P12)
Assets (IRS master file)
$769,336
Income (IRS master file)
$1,184,082

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2024$865,607$703,178$531,273IRS
990December 2023$570,749$447,134$235,712XML
990December 2022$306,194$284,715$122,331IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990-EZDecember 2020–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 85-2708901).

Questions about DIGNITY GROWS INC

What is the EIN of DIGNITY GROWS INC?
The employer identification number (EIN) of DIGNITY GROWS INC is 85-2708901.
Is DIGNITY GROWS INC tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2020.
Are donations to DIGNITY GROWS INC tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does DIGNITY GROWS INC file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of DIGNITY GROWS INC due?
The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did DIGNITY GROWS INC last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
Who is the principal officer of DIGNITY GROWS INC?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names Jessica Zachs.
Who are the officers and directors of DIGNITY GROWS INC?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 9 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $86,400 (Jennifer Tolman, President & COO).
How much revenue does DIGNITY GROWS INC have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $865,607, expenses of $703,178 and total assets of $531,273 at year end.

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