irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $118K50TH IMPACT CFDAA BOARD DESIGNATED ENDOWMENT TO PROVIDE RESOURCE OF MONEY TO MEET INDUSTRY NEEDS, FUND PROGRAM INITIATIVES, AND PROVIDE GENERAL SUPPORT TO THE ORGANIZATION'S OPERATIONS.
- #2 $210KOTHER CAMPAIGNS AND INITIATIVESTHROUGH CAMPAIGNS AND OTHER INDUSTRY INITIATIVES THE CFDA FOUNDATION MARSHALLS THE GOODWILL AND SERVICES OF EVERY ELEMENT OF THE FASHION INDUSTRY TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR THE BREAST CANCER, HIV/AIDS, DISASTER RELIEF AND GENERAL CAUSES, IN THE US AND INTERNATIONALLY.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
CFDA Educational Scholarships and Grants
Provides financial support and resources to needy fashion design students and emerging designers to encourage talent development in the American fashion industry.
Fashion Targets Breast Cancer
Initiative launched by Ralph Lauren in partnership with the CFDA Foundation to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer screening, treatment, and survival programs; has raised over $55 million to date.
Strategic Partnerships Group (SPG)
Program that connects CFDA members with corporate affiliates to create custom programming, business development opportunities, and industry access.
Sustainability Resource Hub
Open-access platform offering tools, information, and best practices for sustainable fashion strategies, including materials, supply chain, and manufacturing resources.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Fashion and Creative Industries Education 2 activities
- Administering scholarship and grant programs for emerging designers and studentsAdministers the CFDA Scholarship Fund and collaborates on initiatives such as the CFDA x Coach Dream It Real Circular Design Scholarship to support fashion education and early-career development, including showcasing recipients at major industry events.
- Supporting emerging designers through the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and CFDA Fashion IncubatorProvides structured support to emerging designers through the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and the CFDA Fashion Incubator, offering resources and development opportunities.
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Charity Event Organization 1 activity
- Conducting advocacy campaigns for HIV/AIDS, disaster relief, and public healthRaises public awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS, disaster relief, and other causes through fashion industry campaigns and initiatives, including historical contributions to DIFFA’s “Safer Sex” campaigns and Susanne Bartsch’s Love Balls.
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Artist Support Grants 1 activity
- Funding and supporting designers through the CFDA X Google Fashion Equity FellowshipFunds and supports American fashion designers through the CFDA X Google Fashion Equity Fellowship to develop their New York Fashion Week collections.
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Cancer Research Funding 1 activity
- Funding breast cancer initiatives through Fashion Targets Breast CancerAdministers a grant-making program focused on breast cancer screening, treatment, and survival, having raised over $55 million through the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer initiative.
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Endowment and Gift Fund Management 1 activity
- Managing endowment and grant-making for fashion industry programsManages an endowment to support fashion industry needs, program initiatives, and organizational operations through strategic funding allocation.
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Architecture and Design Public Education Programs 1 activity
- Producing public and educational programming for the fashion communityHosts educational sessions, roundtables, and public events such as master classes and community mural unveilings, and showcases local manufacturers to strengthen industry engagement.
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Professional Development and Standards in Marketing and Communications 1 activity
- Providing professional development and business resources to member designersOffers professional development programming, including workshops, panel discussions, and lectures on e-commerce, marketing, PR, and employment law, to help member designers grow their businesses.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Organizing New York Fashion Week and the Fashion CalendarOwns and organizes the official New York Fashion Week schedule and the Fashion Calendar, including specialized events such as NYFW Bridal, and opens application processes for participation.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$8.65M
Contributions & grants$5.89M68%
Program service revenue$66K1%
Investment income$2.17M25%
Other revenue$517K
expenses
Total expenses$6.45M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$2.23M
Grants paid out$2.35M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$37.86M
Cash$809K
Investments$28.37M
Liabilities$931K
Net assets$36.93M
Liquid reserves54.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +32.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEVEN KOLB | CEO | 26 | $460K |
| LISA ANNE SMILOR | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT | 26 | $307K |
| SARA KOZLOWSKI | VP OF PROGRAM STRATEGIES | 26 | $212K |
| ASHLEY M SANDALL | DIRECTOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | 26 | $211K |
| MARC KARIMZADEH | EDITORIAL & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR | 26 | $205K |
| SACHA ELYSE BROWN | DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | 26 | $168K |
| JOHN DOYLE MONKHOUSE | FINANCE MANAGER | 26 | $164K |
| CASANDRA DIGGS TERM 124 | PRESIDENT | 26 | $26K |
board members · 17
- AURORA JAMES — VICE CHAIR
- BETHANN HARDISON — BOARD MEMBER
- CARLY CUSHNIE — BOARD MEMBER
- DAO-YI CHOW — BOARD MEMBER
- DIANE VON FURSTENBERG — BOARD MEMBER
- MARIA CORNEJO — GENERAL SECRETARY
- MICHAEL KORS — BOARD MEMBER
- NORMA KAMALI — BOARD MEMBER
- PRABAL GURUNG — VICE CHAIR
- RALPH LAUREN — BOARD MEMBER
- STACEY BENDET EISNER — TREASURER
- STAN HERMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- THOM BROWNE — BOARD CHAIRMAN
- TOMMY HILFIGER — BOARD MEMBER
- TORY BURCH — BOARD MEMBER
- TRACY REESE — BOARD MEMBER
- VERA WANG — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 25
Who they work with
- America250 Partner — Partnered with CFDA on the United Flags of Fashion initiative to commemorate the U.S. 250th anniversary.
- CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Partner — Joint program with Vogue to support emerging designers in the American fashion industry.
- Coach Foundation Partner — Co-established the CFDA x Coach Dream It Real Circular Design Scholarship to support sustainable fashion education.
- Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) Partner — Steven Kolb contributed to DIFFA’s “Safer Sex” campaigns and Love Balls during his fundraising career.
- FASHION by Informa Partner — Partnership to strengthen American fashion manufacturing and connect local producers with global buyers.
- Feeding America Network — Member of national food bank network
- Frazier Foundation Partner — Collaborates to support Black-owned businesses by providing essential resources for sustained success.
- Google Partner — Collaborates with Google on the CFDA X Google Fashion Equity Fellowship to support designers' NYFW collections.
- Google Partner — Partners to advance American fashion through technology, innovation, and education, offering digital tools and programs for designers.
- Historic New England Partner — Collaborated on the artist-in-residence program and public programming centered on a community mural.
- Macy’s Partner — Engages in industry discussions on retail, buyer decision-making, and DTC performance.
- National Endowment for the Arts Funder — Provided a $55,000 grant to support the artist-in-residence program.
- Off-White Partner — Collaborated to provide CFDA Scholarship Fund recipients access to the Off-White Spring/Summer 2025 show.
- OpenAI Partner — Partners with OpenAI on the Innovation Hub AI Developer program to connect AI developers with CFDA designers.
- Otis College of Art and Design Partner — Collaborated with CFDA and Versace to facilitate educational experiences for LGBTQ+ fashion students.
- Poster House Partner — CFDA CEO participated in a conversation at Poster House on fashion's response to the AIDS crisis.
- Poster House Partner — Collaborates with Poster House on a conversation about fashion’s response to the AIDS crisis.
- Rockefeller Center Partner — Co-organized and hosted the United Flags of Fashion exhibition.
- Steven Kolb Partner — Chief Executive Officer and President, providing executive leadership.
- Swarovski Foundation Partner — Collaborates on philanthropic initiatives that empower emerging talent and promote social impact in design and creative sectors.
- The New York Community Trust Partner — Collaborates on a focused grant-making program for breast cancer screening, treatment, and survival.
- Thom Browne Partner — Board Chairman and member of CFDA, contributing leadership and industry influence.
- Versace Partner — Partnered with CFDA on an LGBTQ+ focused educational initiative, including show access and direct engagement with Donatella Versace.
- Vogue Partner — Collaborated with CFDA on the United Flags of Fashion initiative.
- eBay Partner — Co-hosts conversations with The Circularity Project on garment care, repair, and technology to extend the life of fashion.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Amplification of Creative Excellence and Industry Longevitymethodology: creative-excellence-amplificationBy amplifying creative excellence and supporting business longevity, the organization strengthens American fashion on the global stage, because recognition and sustainability of designers' work drives industry impact and resilience.
- Circular and Sustainable Innovation Through Educationmethodology: circular-design-educationBy integrating circular design education and sustainable material innovation into training and competitions, the organization advances environmentally responsible fashion, because early exposure to sustainable practices fosters long-term industry transformation.
- Equity and Sustainability as Systemic Change Leversmethodology: dei-sustainability-pillarsBy prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Sustainability as interconnected pillars, the organization drives systemic change in fashion, because structural inequities and environmental harm are root causes of industry instability and exclusion.
- Strategic Partnerships for Access and Equitymethodology: strategic corporate partnership modelBy partnering with corporations and foundations, the organization creates strategic access and business development opportunities for members and removes systemic barriers for underrepresented groups, because targeted collaboration expands reach and redistributes resources more equitably.
- Talent Development Through Grants and Scholarshipsmethodology: talent_support_through_grants_and_scholarshipsBy providing grants, scholarships, and awards to emerging designers, the organization supports talent development and access, because financial barriers disproportionately affect creative potential and career longevity in fashion.