Women Essentials Support Program

What Women Essentials Support Program does

I Support the Girls (legally For The Girls, Inc., EIN 81-2163243) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 by Dana Marlowe, operating from Wheaton, Maryland, with warehouse/distribution points in Silver Spring, Maryland and Indianapolis, Indiana. The organization collects and redistributes three categories of physical products — new and gently used bras, new sealed menstrual hygiene products, and new underwear with tags — to women and individuals experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, displacement, incarceration, and other crises.

The operating model is a hub-and-spoke affiliate network. HQ coordinates 51+ local affiliates across 27 U.S. states and five countries (Australia, Canada, Pakistan, Philippines, Germany), each led by an independent Affiliate Director who collects product locally and distributes through 5,285+ vetted social service partner agencies (homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, refugee resettlement homes, foster care agencies, LGBTQ agencies, schools). Productized programs include the A.S.H. Kit (Aid, Safety, Hygiene) direct-mail program with three specialized variants (DASH for domestic violence survivors, FLASH for menopausal homeless individuals, SLASH for transgender/non-binary individuals), a Disaster Relief rapid-response program, a "Force for Change" vertical covering breast cancer survivors, incarcerated women, veterans, and migrant farm workers, and a Pakistan Skill Center that pairs product distribution with vocational sewing training and a KIVA-partnered micro-loan pathway. Cumulative output since founding is 37M+ products distributed and 6M+ people served.

Revenue mechanics rely entirely on contributions rather than earned income: 78% of financial support comes from individual donors (annual giving, matching gifts, stock, cryptocurrency), supplemented by a tiered corporate sponsorship program (Maximum Magnitude $1M+, Ultra Impact Circle $100K+, Seamless Supporters $50K–$100K, Uplifter's Circle $10K–$50K) featuring partners such as Victoria's Secret, Eli Lilly, Starbucks Foundation, Aerie Real Foundation, Amazon, AT&T, and The Kelly Clarkson Show, plus in-kind product donations from more than 2,010 businesses. No products or services are sold and the organization does not disclose revenue. The small 1–10 employee team is supported by 2,500+ earned media appearances and structured public-sector relationships with USDA, FDA, City of Chicago, U.S. State Department, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the World Bank.

Name

Women Essentials Support Program

Legal name

For The Girls, Inc.

Website

https://isupportthegirls.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

I Support the Girls is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collects and distributes bras, underwear, and menstrual hygiene products via 51+ affiliate locations in the U.S. and five countries, serving women experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, and crisis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Aid and Menstrual Equity Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH), Emergency Shelter, NFIs & Winterization for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAG)

Keywords

• Menstrual hygiene donations
• Bra donation nonprofit
• Period poverty assistance
• Hygiene product distribution
• Humanitarian dignity aid

Headquarters

HQ city

Silver Spring

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: 78% of financial support comes from individual donors who contribute financial gifts, including annual giving, matching gifts, gifts of stock, and cryptocurrency donations.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide financial contributions, product donations, and in-kind services. Sponsorship tiers include Maximum Magnitude ($1M+), Ultra Impact Circle ($100,000+), Seamless Supporters ($50,000-$100,000), and Uplifter's Circle ($10,000-$50,000).
3. Product Donations: Collection and distribution of new and gently used bras, new sealed menstrual hygiene products, and new underwear with tags. Products are donated by individuals and corporations and distributed through affiliate network.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Women Essentials Support Program operates a global collection-and-distribution network that gathers new and gently used bras, new sealed menstrual hygiene products, and new underwear from individual and corporate donors, then distributes them free of charge through a 64-affiliate chapter network to women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, disaster displacement, incarceration, or other crises. Core delivery vehicles include customizable A.S.H. Kits mailed directly to individuals in need, a disaster-relief rapid-response program, the Pakistan Skill Center for vocational training, and partner-agency distribution via vetted shelters and social service organizations.

Product overview

I Support The Girls is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a collection and distribution network for essential hygiene and intimate apparel products. The organization operates a hub-and-spoke model centered on its Affiliate Network, which spans 51+ locations across the U.S. and internationally. Core programs include the A.S.H. Kit program (customizable Dash, Slash, and Flash Kits addressing domestic violence, transgender, and menopausal needs), the Disaster Relief Program for rapid emergency response, the Force for Change Program for advocacy and special populations, and the Pakistan Skill Center for vocational training. The organization collects and distributes bras, underwear, and menstrual hygiene products through partnerships with social service agencies, shelters, and direct-to-individual distribution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• A.S.H. Kits (Aid, Safety, Hygiene Kits)
• Disaster Relief Program
• Force for Change Programs
• Pakistan Skill Center Program
• Affiliate Network
• Product Donations (Bras, Underwear, Menstrual Products)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 37 million products distributed to more than 6 million people since 2015
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

37 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Victoria's SecretflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMaximum Magnitude sponsor ($1M+). Victoria's Secret donates bras and menstrual hygiene products. The Victoria's Secret team in Schaumburg, IL has donated products to local ISTG affiliates.
• SomaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerUltra Impact Circle sponsor ($100,000+). Soma is the store where founder Dana Marlowe first asked about donating bras, marking the origin of ISTG. They remain a Legacy Partner.
• Procter & GamblecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing product donations and supporting collection drives. Major manufacturer of consumer goods including menstrual hygiene products.
• The Coca-Cola CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that has supported ISTG through product drives and donations.
• AmazoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSeamless Supporters sponsor ($50,000-$100,000). AWS (Amazon Web Services) provides cloud infrastructure support. Amazon Wishlists enable direct product donations to affiliates.
• NikecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting the ISTG mission through donations and product drives.
• TargetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing product donations and supporting collection drives.
• Kimberly-ClarkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner manufacturing menstrual hygiene products that supports ISTG donations.
• Eli Lilly and CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUltra Impact Circle sponsor ($100,000+) through Lilly Endowment Inc.
• Starbucks FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUltra Impact Circle sponsor ($100,000+) supporting ISTG programs.
• Aerie Real FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUltra Impact Circle sponsor ($100,000+) supporting ISTG's mission of dignity for women.
• The Kelly Clarkson ShowflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerUltra Impact Circle sponsor ($100,000+). Featured ISTG on the show, significantly boosting visibility. The show and NBC Universal provide ongoing support.
• ThirdLovecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUplifter's Circle sponsor ($10,000-$50,000). Intimates company that has donated products and supported ISTG. Legacy Partner.
• LOLAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy Partner. Menstrual product company that was one of the first to ship products to ISTG when the organization was founded.
• Warby ParkerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that has supported ISTG through donations and product drives.
• Lowe'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting ISTG through donations and product drives.
• NordstromminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that has supported ISTG through product donations.
• Marriott CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEarly corporate supporter that donated products when ISTG was first founded in 2015.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerEarly government partner that donated products to ISTG when the organization was first founded.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerEarly government partner that supported ISTG through donations.
• City of ChicagocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal government partner supporting ISTG through donations and advocacy.
• U.S. State DepartmentcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment partner that has featured founder Dana Marlowe and supported international programs.
• ACLUminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that has conducted collection drives with ISTG.
• AT&TcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSeamless Supporters sponsor ($50,000-$100,000). Major telecommunications company supporting ISTG.
• L'OrealcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor beauty company that has supported ISTG through donations and partnerships.
• SkimsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIntimates brand that has partnered with ISTG to provide products.
• Warner MediacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSeamless Supporters sponsor ($50,000-$100,000). Parent company of media outlets that have featured ISTG.
• Highmark Health OptionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUltra Impact Circle sponsor ($100,000+). Healthcare organization supporting ISTG programs.
• Bank of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUplifter's Circle sponsor ($10,000-$50,000). Major financial institution supporting ISTG.
• Dell TechnologiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology company that has partnered with ISTG for donations and support.
• U.S. Department of Veterans AffairscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment partner for ISTG's veteran support programs.
• The World BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational financial institution that has partnered with ISTG.
• Synchrony FinancialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeamless Supporters sponsor ($50,000-$100,000). Financial services company supporting ISTG.
• KIVAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMicro-loan partner helping women at ISTG Pakistan's vocational center start businesses after completing training.
• ULTA BeautyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUplifter's Circle sponsor ($10,000-$50,000). Beauty retailer supporting ISTG donations.
• TorridminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUplifter's Circle sponsor ($10,000-$50,000). Plus-size intimates retailer supporting ISTG.
• AthletaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAthletic apparel brand (Gap Inc.) supporting ISTG through donations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Aunt Flow: For-profit social enterprise that supplies free menstrual products to schools, businesses, and public facilities via a B2B dispenser model. Overlaps with ISTG's school distribution segment (800,000 products to high schools) but operates through a paid-vending rather than donation model.

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: Largest U.S. hunger-relief nonprofit with a national network of food banks and partner agencies. Comparable to ISTG on the affiliate/distribution-network operating model (5,285+ partner agencies for ISTG, 200+ food banks for Feeding America), though focused on food rather than hygiene products.
• Direct Relief: Large U.S. humanitarian aid organization providing medical supplies and emergency relief globally. Comparable to ISTG on the disaster relief and emergency distribution side (ISTG deployed 750,000 products to evacuees), though Direct Relief operates at significantly larger scale and focuses on medical supplies.

Direct peers

• Days for Girls: International nonprofit that distributes reusable menstrual hygiene kits and runs sewing-based vocational programs in developing countries. Highly comparable to ISTG in mission (menstrual equity + dignity), distribution model (global affiliate network), and product focus (reusable pads sewn locally).
• The Bra Recyclers: U.S.-based nonprofit that collects and distributes bras to women in need domestically and internationally. Closest direct comparator to ISTG on the bra donation side of ISTG's product mix — same product, same target population, similar distribution model.
• AFRIpads: Uganda-based social enterprise that manufactures and distributes reusable menstrual pads across Africa. Comparable to ISTG in its focus on menstrual product access for underserved populations and partnership with humanitarian aid channels.
• PERIOD: U.S.-based youth-led nonprofit focused on ending period poverty through advocacy, product distribution, and policy change. Comparable to ISTG on the menstrual equity advocacy and school-distribution side, though PERIOD is more advocacy-driven and less logistics-heavy.

Regional players

• Freedom4Girls: UK-based nonprofit that distributes menstrual products and fights period poverty in the UK and East Africa. Strong mission overlap with ISTG (menstrual equity, dignity, product distribution) but operates in different geographies (UK + East Africa vs. ISTG's US + Pakistan/Philippines/Australia/Canada/Germany).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/I_Support_Girls
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnat50nsV2Bd8kqK20s2kMA
• Facebookfacebook.com/SupportTheGirlsandWomen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/i-support-the-girls
• Instagraminstagram.com/isupportthegirls
• TikToktiktok.com/@isupportthegirls

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Women Essentials Support Program