What Project Glimmer does

Project Glimmer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 by former venture capitalist Sonja Hoel Perkins (formerly of Menlo Ventures), headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with warehouse operations in San Leandro, California (provided by Prologis). The organization serves at-risk girls and young women—primarily those in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or from low-income backgrounds—with a stated mission to inspire every girl to envision and realize an empowered future. Approximately 86% of participants are women of color, and the organization explicitly targets the population where only 50% of foster youth graduate high school and 3% graduate college. Core beneficiaries are reached via a three-pillar programmatic model: Personal Confidence (Gifts + Goods), Positive Role Models (Empower Hours and Day of Empowerment), and a Support Network (Career Coaching and the Empowerment Academy).

The operational platform is deliberately low-tech and service-oriented rather than technology-led. Programs include Gifts + Goods (curated gift packages built from brand donations), Empower Hours (live virtual career panels hosted by corporate partners), Day of Empowerment (in-person workshops with corporate hosts), Career Coaching (1:1 and small-group mentoring), the Empowerment Academy (a 6-8 week virtual leadership program piloted in 2021 with Babson College and now running through at least Cohort 23 in 2026), the Student Ambassador Program (a youth volunteer network), Boxing Joy Volunteer Kits ($85 unit-priced volunteer experiences), and the Social Supply Chain for Good (excess-inventory redirection from corporate partners). The technology footprint consists of Squarespace (website), qgiv.com (donation processing), and Zoom (virtual programming); no proprietary platform, AI components, or APIs are described.

Project Glimmer's revenue model is multi-stream and donation-dependent, with no disclosed financial figures. Revenue sources include individual donations (via qgiv donation portal), corporate partnerships (cash sponsorships, grants, employee matching, volunteer engagement), in-kind product donations from 100+ brand and retail partners (Sephora, Ulta, Target, Gap, Estee Lauder, L'Oréal, Dow, Olivela, Kendra Scott, Buxom, lilah b., Luma & Leaf, Quay, Shaklee, Rocksbox, among others), and shop-for-good/affiliate programs (Amazon Smile, Sephora Charity Rewards, Olivela 20% purchase give-back). Distribution flows through 4,000+ community partners (foster agencies, homeless shelters, youth services organizations) and 1,000+ youth-serving organizations. In 2023 the organization reached 470,000 girls and women (+27% YoY), delivered 2 million products (+75% YoY), engaged 6,000 volunteers nationwide (+97% YoY), and crossed the cumulative 1 million beneficiaries milestone since founding. Corporate customers include Sephora (exclusive Charity Rewards partner), KPMG, PwC, First Republic Bank, Broadway Angels, Zynga, Rue Gilt Groupe, Birdies, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, Deloitte, Salesforce, Wells Fargo, and Target, among others.

Name

Project Glimmer

Legal name

Project Glimmer

Website

https://projectglimmer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Project Glimmer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 that delivers gifts, mentorship, and career-readiness programming to at-risk girls and young women in foster care, low-income, and homeless populations across all 50 U.S. states, funded by individual donations, corporate partnerships, in-kind brand donations, and shop-for-good affiliate programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct monetary donations from individuals through the website donation portal. These support all programming including Empowerment Academy, Empower Hours, and Gifts + Goods programs.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Companies partner through hosting Empower Hours, career coaching, product donations, shop-and-give campaigns, cause-driven promotions, grants, and expert impact initiatives. Partnerships include Shop & Give (percentage give-back), cause-driven promotions in product launches, and cash donations with corporate matching.
3. Product Donations (Social Supply Chain): Brands and retailers donate excess inventory which Project Glimmer turns into meaningful gifts. Partners include beauty brands, fashion companies, and consumer goods companies that donate pallets, boxes, and containers year-round.
4. Shop for Good Programs: Partner brands contribute percentage of sales to Project Glimmer. Programs include Amazon Smile (0.5% donation), Sephora Charity Rewards, and direct brand partnerships where percentage of proceeds support the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Project Glimmer runs a suite of empowerment programs for girls and young women, primarily those in foster care or under-resourced backgrounds, delivered free of charge nationwide. Core offerings include personalized gift packages (Gifts + Goods), virtual and in-person career exposure events (Empower Hours, Empower Episodes, Day of Empowerment), 1:1 and small-group mentoring (Career Coaching), a six-week virtual leadership program (Empowerment Academy with the Alumni Glimmer Circle), and a Social Supply Chain that converts corporate excess inventory into curated gifts.

Product overview

Project Glimmer is a nonprofit organization offering a suite of interconnected empowerment programs for girls and young women, primarily those in foster care. The core programs include: Gifts + Goods (product gifting), Empower Hours and Empower Episodes (virtual career events), Career Coaching (1:1 mentoring), Empowerment Academy (virtual leadership program with alumni network), Student Ambassador Program (youth volunteer network), Boxing Joy Volunteer Kits (hands-on gifting experience), and Social Supply Chain for Good (corporate donation program). Day of Empowerment events provide in-person experiences. These programs work together to inspire girls to envision and realize an empowered future through confidence-building, mentorship, and essential goods distribution across all 50 states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Empowerment Academy: A six-week virtual leadership program that helps girls build confidence, set bold goals, and gain essential life and career skills.
• Empower Hours
• Gifts + Goods
• Day of Empowerment
• Student Ambassador Program

Products and services

• Gifts + Goods A core gifting program powered by girl-centric brands and volunteers that delivers curated products and essential goods to girls in need, designed to build personal confidence through "boxing the joy."
• Empower Hour Live virtual career events featuring career panels, workshops, and Q&A sessions where corporate partner employees serve as relatable role models sharing career guidance on education and life.
• Career Coaching One-on-one and small-group mentoring sessions powered by corporate volunteers, with employees matched to participants based on career interests for coaching on resumes, LinkedIn, and careers.
• Empowerment Academy A six-week virtual leadership program that helps girls build confidence, set bold goals, and gain essential life and career skills through interactive sessions led by trainers and peer mentors covering financial literacy, public speaking, goal-setting, and self-reflection, with graduates joining the Alumni Glimmer Circle.
• Student Ambassador Program A network of student volunteers raising awareness of the mission, helping with outreach and gifting in local communities, with school clubs and grassroots distribution activities.
• Boxing Joy Volunteer Kit A hands-on volunteer experience kit priced at $85 that includes curated gift items, wrapping supplies, easy-to-follow instructions, and two prepaid shipping labels for wrapping approximately 100 gifts, available individually or for corporate teams, families, and service groups.
• Social Supply Chain for Good A corporate donation program that accepts pallets, boxes, and containers of excess inventory from beauty, fashion, and consumer goods brands, transforming them into curated gifts distributed to 4,000+ community partners.
• Day of Empowerment In-person events hosted by corporate partners featuring workshops, makeovers, professional photos, and panel discussions designed for foster youth and at-risk teenage girls.
• Empower Episodes Recorded Empower Hour content featuring company showcases and career insights from industry partners, available for on-demand viewing.
• Alumni Glimmer Circle An alumni network for Empowerment Academy graduates providing continued access to mentorship, internship visibility, and a nationwide network of peers and corporate partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% feel inspired to accomplish their goals after Empowerment Events
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dow ChemicalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnering with L'Oréal on Empower Hour series about chemistry and science behind beauty products. Two-part series in June and July showing how scientists, marketers, and brand teams collaborate.
• L'Oréal USAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint Empower Hour series with Dow on beauty product chemistry and careers in science and marketing.
• SephoracoreGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive Charity Rewards partner. Hosted Day of Empowerment events. Sephora Beauty Insiders can redeem points for donations to Project Glimmer during designated periods.
• BirdiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-founders Bianca Gates & Marisa Sharkey featured as panelists. Donated shoes to Social Supply Chain. Partnership quote: 'This partnership is our chance to show love and support for these young women.'
• ZyngacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWomen at Zynga Board of Directors partnered. Hosted Empower Episode. Quote: 'The potential of these young women is endless and partnering with Project Glimmer shares this firsthand.'
• Rue Gilt GroupecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier off-price e-commerce featuring Empower Episode on their platform. Top designer brands and experiences for women.
• Broadway AngelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAngel investment group of female investors and business executives. Hosted Day of Empowerment events. Founder Sonja Hoel Perkins is a member.
• First Republic BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted Day of Empowerment. Offers private banking, business banking and private wealth management. Team members serve as panelists.
• KPMGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner hosted Empower Hour on client service. Partner and Board Member Angie Ty led session. Panelists included Jo Liaw Hickey (Partner) and Conetha Van Aswegen (Finance Director at Salesforce).
• PwCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJeanette Calandra, Managing Partner, serves as Vice-Chair of Project Glimmer Board. Firm involved in Day of Empowerment hosting.
• Charles SchwabminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured in blog about financial freedom and Empowering Futures. Provides financial literacy content.
• Gap Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner listed in A-Z partner list. Donates excess inventory.
• Bank of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner listed in A-Z partner list. Employee volunteers for Empower Hours and career coaching.
• Goldman SachscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner listed in A-Z partner list.
• Morgan StanleycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner listed in A-Z partner list.
• JP Morgan ChasecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner listed in A-Z partner list.
• DeloittecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner listed in A-Z partner list.
• SalesforcecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerConetha Van Aswegen, Finance Director, served as panelist at KPMG Empower Hour. Listed in partner directory.
• PrologiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides warehouse space in their warehouse park for Project Glimmer operations. Supports sustainability goals with green buildings.
• OlivelacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury fashion retail with 20% of every purchase supporting Project Glimmer. Hosted NYC Fashion Week events. Founder Stacey Boyd featured in blog.
• Kendra ScottminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJewelry brand with shop-and-give campaigns benefiting Project Glimmer.
• Ulta BeautycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRetail partner donating products through Social Supply Chain for Good.
• TargetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner listed in A-Z partner list.
• Wells FargocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner listed in A-Z partner list.
• Estee LaudercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner listed in A-Z partner list.
• QuaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEyewear brand partnered on Giving is Sliving program with Paris Hilton. Donated $25,000 plus $100,000 in product. Hosted Empower Hour.
• ShakleeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWellness company donated 10,000 packs of Vitalized Immunity during Women's History Month. Based in Bay Area like Project Glimmer.
• RocksboxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJewelry subscription service donated excess inventory to be repurposed into meaningful gifts. Founder Meaghan Rose serves on Project Glimmer Board.
• Luma & LeafminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClean skincare brand. 20% from Project Glimmer scrunchie set supports the organization.
• lilah b.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerClean beauty brand. Divine Duo Lip & Cheek sold with percentage supporting Project Glimmer.
• Buxom CosmeticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated products through Social Supply Chain. President Jill Scalamandre quoted about empowering future generations.
• Grow and KnowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization founded by Dr. Marni Sommer developing puberty education books. Partnered on A Girl's Guide to Puberty and Periods resource for participants.
• Babson College Center for Women's Entrepreneurial LeadershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPowered the first Empowerment Academy pilot program. College students served as peer mentors for high school participants.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• FosterClub: Nonprofit specifically serving current and former foster youth, including transition-age support and leadership programming. Adjacent peer given Project Glimmer's deep focus on the foster-youth population.
• I Support the Girls: Nonprofit distributing bras, underwear, and personal hygiene items to women and girls in need, primarily through shelter and community partner networks. Closely comparable in operating model - in-kind personal care donations distributed via community partners to at-risk women and girls.
• Donate Eight (Donate Beauty): Aggregator distributing excess beauty inventory from brands to women's shelters and service organizations. Conceptually comparable to Project Glimmer's Social Supply Chain for Good approach, though operating on a smaller, partner-aggregator model.

Direct peers

• Baby2Baby: National nonprofit distributing diapers, clothing, and basic necessities to children in poverty via a large community partner network and corporate in-kind donations. Highly comparable operating model: corporate excess inventory channeled through established distribution partners to under-resourced children/youth.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: Long-standing youth mentoring nonprofit pairing adult mentors with at-risk youth, including those from foster and low-income backgrounds. Comparable because of mentoring-heavy programming for underserved youth and similar reliance on community partner referrals.
• Girls Inc. National nonprofit delivering mentorship, education, and leadership programming for girls and young women, including those in foster care. Direct peer given shared focus on empowerment, education, and career exposure for under-resourced girls.
• Dress for Success: Global nonprofit providing professional attire, career development, and mentorship to women. Comparable because both organizations combine in-kind product donations (clothing/accessories) with career-coaching programming for under-resourced women and girls.
• Step Up for Students (Step Up Mentoring): Nonprofit operating mentoring and leadership programs specifically for teen girls from under-resourced communities, with virtual program offerings and corporate partner engagement. Directly comparable in target demographic and program design.

Broad incumbents

• National Girls Collaborative Project: Network-focused nonprofit building STEM programming and resource collaboration across hundreds of girl-serving organizations nationwide. Comparable as a broader umbrella supporting girls' empowerment programs rather than a direct-service peer.
• Goodwill Industries International: Large nonprofit operating workforce development, training, and in-kind donation logistics at national scale. Compares because both organizations distribute donated goods nationally through a community-partner network and operate career-readiness programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/projectglimmer
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@projectglimmer7339/featured
• Instagraminstagram.com/projectglimmer
• Facebookfacebook.com/projectglimmer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/project-glimmer

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Project Glimmer