Dress for Success Denver

What Dress for Success Denver does

Dress for Success Denver (DFS Denver) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 and based in Denver, Colorado, operating as an independent affiliate of Dress for Success Worldwide, a network with affiliates in 15+ countries. The organization's mission is to advance economic independence for women in the Denver Metro Area and broader Colorado through a continuum of employment-related services spanning professional attire distribution, job-readiness training, executive coaching, employment retention support, and entrepreneurial training.

The service portfolio comprises five core programs delivered through the main boutique location at 2594 South Colorado Boulevard, with mobile extension via the Butterfly Bus: (1) the Suiting Program distributing professional clothing free of charge; (2) Leadership/Executive Coaching offering one-on-one sessions with Personal Action Plans; (3) the Professional Women's Group (PWG) providing networking and retention support; (4) the Women's Employment Network (WEN) delivering job-readiness training; and (5) the Career Training Center, which integrates the Motivera cloud-based platform for personalized career journeys, resume building, and certifications. A Success Starter entrepreneurial training pilot was added in October 2024, and the Butterfly Bus mobile transformation unit launched in October 2023 to extend services to underserved and rural Colorado communities.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations, with no fees charged to clients. The model blends monetary donations (one-time and recurring at tiers from $10 to custom amounts), in-kind clothing contributions, corporate sponsorships, event-based fundraising (The Platinum Party 20th Anniversary, Glamour N' Gears Gala, Forces of Nature Fashion Show, pop-up shops), and foundation grants (e.g., $15,000 Junior League of Denver Community Grant for 2025-2026). Referral flow is sourced from a network of 140-190 partner agencies. Since founding, DFS Denver has served over 24,000 women and distributed more than $1,000,000 in apparel, with approximately 2,000 clients served annually and a documented 76% employment retention rate among PWG members attending regular meetings. The organization operates with an 11-person staff led by CEO Amara Martin and a 15+ member Board of Directors.

Name

Dress for Success Denver

Legal name

Dress for Success Denver

Website

https://denver.dressforsuccess.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dress for Success Denver is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that provides professional attire, career coaching, job-readiness training, employment retention support, and entrepreneurial training to low-income women across the Denver Metro Area and Colorado, including mobile services via the Butterfly Bus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Professional attire distribution
• Career coaching programs
• Nonprofit employment services
• Women empowerment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

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, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: Individual and corporate financial contributions that fund career development programs and operational expenses. Donors can give one-time or recurring contributions (monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, semiannually, annually) at various tiers ($10, $25, $50, $100 or custom amounts).
2. Clothing Donations: Accepts gently-used professional attire including business suits, blouses, dresses, blazers, slacks, shoes, jewelry, scarves, belts, handbags and briefcases. Clothing is provided free of charge to clients.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Curated sponsorship and branding opportunities customized to achieve company marketing objectives while supporting the DFS Denver mission. Includes event sponsorships, program support, and long-term partnerships.
4. Event Fundraising: Annual signature events including The Platinum Party (20th Anniversary), Glamour N' Gears Gala, Forces of Nature Fashion Show, pop-up shops, and Women Who Inspire campaigns generate revenue through ticket sales, silent auctions, and donations.
5. Grants: Organizational grants from foundations including Junior League of Denver ($15,000 grant in 2025) that fund specific programs and operational needs.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Dress for Success Denver is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collects and distributes gently-used professional attire to low-income women and pairs each client with a continuum of career development services—including job-readiness training, one-on-one executive coaching, employment retention support, and entrepreneurship training—all provided free of charge through a referral-based model.

Product overview

Dress for Success Denver is a non-profit organization that provides a comprehensive continuum of programs advancing economic independence for women. The organization offers five core service products: the Suiting Program (professional clothing distribution), Leadership/Executive Coaching (one-on-one job coaching and personal action planning), Professional Women's Group (employment retention and networking), Women's Employment Network (job-readiness training), and Career Training Center (virtual/in-person career development with Motivera platform integration). The portfolio spans the full employment lifecycle from job readiness through employment retention and advancement, with the Butterfly Bus mobile unit extending reach across Colorado. The organization partners with over 190 referral agencies and has served over 24,000 women since 2006.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Suiting Program Collects and distributes quality professional clothing, shoes, and accessories to women referred through partner agencies who are entering or returning to the workforce; clients receive interview attire and may return for workforce apparel once employed.
• Leadership/Executive Coaching One-on-one executive coaching that helps clients create a Personal Action Plan, identify and minimize employment barriers, advance their careers, and initiate social change.
• Professional Women's Group (PWG) Employment retention and career advancement program providing skill-building content and a networking environment for women who have entered the workforce; 76% of regularly attending members remain employed.
• Women's Employment Network (Job-Readiness Training) Pre-employment training taught by subject matter experts on managing change, community resources, personal finance, transferable job skills, personal branding, and managing rejection.
• Career Training Center Virtual and in-person career development offering one-on-one executive coaching for resume building, software skills upgrades, mock interviews, transferable skills communication, criminal background addressing, and job searching, enhanced by the Motivera cloud-based platform.
• Butterfly Bus Mobile Transformation Unit Mobile program bringing professional attire and job readiness coaching to women across Colorado, including rural and underserved areas and female Veterans.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 24,000 women served since 2006
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Benefit CosmeticsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Bold is Beautiful initiative: During August, 100% of proceeds from brow wax services sold in Benefit BrowBars are donated back to Dress for Success. Raised over $21 million globally for charity since 2015.
• CBIZ / CBIZ Women's AdvantagecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Partner since 2008 with financial contributions, volunteer hours, clothing donations, and affiliate board service. Through Dress for Success Leadership University, CBIZ creates and delivers leadership development training to affiliates globally. Proud supporter of International Women's Day campaign - Your Hour Her Power.
• Capital OnemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial Empowerment and Sustainability Initiative: Provides financial literacy education to women across 15 Network Members nationwide. Capital One subject matter experts offer financial goal setting, peer support, and mentorship to help women feel confident with money. Education also offered to Network Member leaders for sustainable operations.
• Charles SchwabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchwab Volunteer Week: In 2024, more than 8,570 employee volunteers completed nearly 700 projects benefiting 424 nonprofits nationwide. Formalized annual volunteer event in 2004 starting with 1,000 volunteers serving 37 nonprofits.
• Colorado Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThrough CCU Cares Program, partners with Dress for Success Denver to make positive impact on communities served. Colorado Credit Union representatives recognized as Honorees in Women Who Inspire campaign.
• ComcastmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerComcast supports DFS Denver events including Forces of Nature Fashion Show and Summer Pop Up Shops. Hosts Success Starter entrepreneurial training pitch sessions at Comcast corporate office. Committed to improving communities through internet accessibility and connecting people to education, healthcare, and jobs.
• Denver Broncos FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommitted to positive impact on future generations through youth health and wellness initiatives and career pathways. Partners with DFS Denver to support Butterfly Bus mobile Transformation Unit youth initiative.
• Ernst and Young (EY)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEY Foundation supports excellence in education with particular focus on higher education and preparation for professional service careers in business.
• FedExcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of Dress for Success online network community to enhance client experience. Offers variety of services including one-on-one and technology-enabled self-directed activities. Proud sponsor of Your Hour, Her Power Campaign and Virtual Power Walk.
• MidFirst BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the largest privately owned banks in the US. Sponsors DFS Denver events including Platinum Party 20th Anniversary and Glamour N' Gears Gala.
• Robert HalfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner since 2005. Supports Career Centers and Professional Women's Group, provided skills training through Skillsoft, and sponsors Annual Affiliate Conference, Success Summit and Gala.
• Schomp SubarumajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLove Promise Community: Donated 20-foot box truck to be transformed into Butterfly Bus Mobile Transformation Center. Ongoing event sponsor including Unstoppable Fashion Show and Glamour N' Gears Gala.
• TalbotsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGive Confidence, Hope and Style initiative: Since 2015, partnered through 500+ stores in North America. Includes exclusive limited-edition capsule collection with 30% of net proceeds benefiting Dress for Success. National marketing campaign, in-store events, leadership and mentoring, charitable contributions and clothing donations.
• The Adecco Group Foundation UScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with 15 nationwide Dress for Success affiliates with local event support and group volunteer engagements to help clients with career planning and professional advancement. Assisted with Butterfly Bus launch providing mock interviews and employment training.
• Ulta BeautymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerUlta Beauty Charitable Foundation provides national funding and local grants supporting Network Members' Continuum of Services programming. Provides tools for women to realize full potential and achieve economic mobility. Provided mini makeovers at Butterfly Bus launch.
• DaySpring PensminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated 50 engraved pens featuring Dress for Success Denver logo. Located in Virginia Beach, specializes in luxury gift pens with custom engraving.
• Wounded Warrior ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with DFS Denver to launch Butterfly Bus mobile suiting program. Served 40 female Veterans and Veteran spouses on board the mobile unit, providing clothing, shoes, and accessories for job searches.
• Junior League of DenvermajorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 Community Grant Award winner ($15,000). JLD members assist with Personal Styling, Career Coaching, and monthly Professional Women's Group meetings to disrupt cycle of systemic poverty for women and families.
• RSM US LLPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Glamour N' Gears Gala 2024.
• Nelson Mullins Riley & ScarboroughminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Glamour N' Gears Gala 2024.
• Gold BugminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Glamour N' Gears Gala 2024.
• PMG ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Forces of Nature Fashion Show 2025.
• Schomp HyundaiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Forces of Nature Fashion Show 2025.
• Vectra BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Summer Pop Up Shop 2026.
• Studio Second StreetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for The Platinum Party - Celebrating 20 Years of Impact.
• Brownstein Hyatt Farber SchreckminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for The Platinum Party - Celebrating 20 Years of Impact.
• MotiveracoreTechnology or IntegrationDeveloped and donated cloud-based career development platform to DFS Denver. Platform enables clients to access employment opportunities, specialized trainings, certifications, and resources with personalized career journeys and community sharing capabilities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Suited for Change: Women's workforce nonprofit providing interview attire and career support to women in transition; directly comparable mission and clothing-distribution model to DFS Denver.
• Dress for Success Worldwide: Global parent network licensing the Dress for Success brand to 140+ affiliates; DFS Denver is one of its U.S. affiliates, sharing brand standards, programmatic frameworks, and corporate partnerships.
• Bottomless Closet: New York-based nonprofit offering professional attire, interview preparation, and career mentoring to women in need; highly comparable service continuum and target population to DFS Denver.
• Career Gear: Nonprofit providing professional attire and career development services to men transitioning from homelessness, incarceration, and unemployment—mirror model to Dress for Success but for a different client population.

Others

• Wounded Warrior Project: Partner organization that co-launched the Butterfly Bus mobile program; provides veteran-focused workforce and transition services and is a key referral/capability partner to DFS Denver.

Emerging players

• Jewish Vocational Service (JVS): Career services and workforce development organization serving diverse populations with employment training, placement, and retention programs similar to DFS Denver's continuum.
• Year Up: Workforce development nonprofit serving young adults with training, mentorship, and corporate internships—adjacent mission focused on employment access but without the professional attire component.
• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free tech workforce training to underserved adults; comparable outcomes-driven employment model but specialized in technology careers.

Broad incumbents

• Urban League: National civil rights and workforce development organization with local affiliates offering employment, training, and economic empowerment services to underserved communities.
• Goodwill Industries International: Large national nonprofit combining workforce development, training, and secondhand retail with a much broader geographic and operational footprint than DFS Denver but overlapping mission in employment support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dressforsuccessdenver6559
• Facebookfacebook.com/DressforSuccessDenver
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dress-for-success-denver
• Instagraminstagram.com/dfsdenver

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Dress for Success Denver