irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2025
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $59KDESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS - THIS PROGRAM ACHIEVES ITS EXEMPT PURPOSE BY RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF STUDENTS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY WHICH BRINGS THOSE IN ATTENDANCE TOGETHER TO FURTHER EDUCATE THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
AC Magazine
Publishes editorial content on accessories trends, designer spotlights, and industry insights to promote awareness and education.
ACE Awards
Honors individuals and companies for achievements in innovation, style, social impact, and leadership within the accessories industry.
Design Excellence Awards
Recognizes fashion students for outstanding achievement in accessory design, fostering new talent in the industry.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Professional Excellence Awards Programs 1 activity
- Administers design awards programsRuns the Design Excellence Awards and Next Generation Awards to recognize innovation, creativity, and student achievements in accessory product design. Features finalists and winners in Ac Magazine, awards a seal for marketing use, and uses the program to advance industry-wide education and engagement.
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Industry Trade Association Services 1 activity
- Advocates for the accessories industryRepresents member interests through advocacy efforts at federal and local levels, including testifying before Congress and government bodies on issues affecting the fashion accessories industry.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Distributes member communications and industry updatesProvides a weekly newsletter to members covering industry trends and developments, supporting ongoing education and engagement within the accessories sector.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Hosts industry events and networking programsOrganizes educational events, mentoring programs, networking events across multiple states (including New York, California, and Texas), and large-scale trade events such as CURVE NEW YORK and ACCESSORY MARKET WEEK held multiple times annually. Also hosts an annual black-tie gala to present the ACE Awards.
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Community Space Provision 1 activity
- Operates physical workspace and showroom facilitiesManages a modern, open-plan loft space in Midtown Manhattan available for showrooms, meetings, events, and content creation. Offers flexible workspace options—from individual cubes to full offices—for temporary or project-based use by members.
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Professional Association Capacity Building 1 activity
- Provides capacity-building support to member businessesOffers resources and support to fashion accessories businesses aimed at increasing sales and strengthening market presence.
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
- Publishes Ac Magazine and related editorial contentProduces and publishes Ac Magazine, including seasonal and co-branded issues (e.g., Ac Magazine x CFDA, Ac EYE x 20/20), with features on fashion trends, craftsmanship, and cultural reporting. The magazine has achieved over 4.6 million page views and 200,000 unique readers across more than 100 countries since its 2021 relaunch.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$1.70M
Contributions & grants$467K28%
Program service revenue$1.22M72%
Investment income$11K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.90M
Program expenses48%
Admin / overhead52%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$650K
Grants paid out$1K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$381K
Cash$279K
Investments$0
Liabilities$331K
Net assets$50K
Liquid reserves1.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -4.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAREN GIBERSON | PRESIDENT | 35 | $200K |
| IRENE FITZGERALD | CHIEF OF STAFF | 35 | $166K |
board members · 23
- BETH GOLDSTEIN — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- BRETT FIALKOFF — ADVISORY BOARD
- BRUNA SUMBERAC MANEY — ADVISORY BOARD
- CAROL HOCHMAN — ADVISORY BOARD
- DREW PIZZO — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- FRAN LUKAS — VICE-CHAIRMAN
- FRANK ZAMBRELLI — CHAIRMAN
- GABRIEL ALVAREZ JACOBO — TREASURER
- JAMIE JANKOWSKI — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- JARROD KAHN — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- JAY LAKHANI — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- JAY SCHMIDT — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- JENNA COHEN — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- JENNIFER YUE — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- KADIAN LANGLAIS — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- KATIE FALCHI — ADVISORY BOARD
- KENDRA BRIDELLE — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- LELA KATSUNE — ADVISORY BOARD
- LELE SADOUGHI — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- MARISA GARDINI — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- MARISSA GALANTE FRANK — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- MARY BELLE — ADVISORY BOARD
- MARY LISA IDOL — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
relationships · 68
Who they work with
- Belle Global Licensing Partner — Organization associated with advisory board member Mary Belle, indicating an advisory affiliation with Accessories Council
- Bloomingdale’s Partner — Organization represented by board director Marissa Galante Frank, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- Brahmin Partner — Organization represented by board director Jamie Jankowski, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- CFDA Partner — Collaborates on the co-branded Ac Magazine x CFDA Fall Issue.
- COTERIE NY Partner — Partners with COTERIE NY for its September 2026 fashion event.
- CURVE NEW YORK Partner — Co-organizes or sponsors the CURVE NEW YORK trade show.
- Caleres Partner — Organization represented by board director Jay Schmidt, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- Centric Brands Partner — Organization represented by board director Jarrod Kahn, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- Circana Partner — Organization represented by board director Beth Goldstein, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- Coach Partner — Organization represented by board director Jennifer Yue, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- Coach Partner — Represented by Todd Kahn, honored as Visionary at the 2026 ACE Awards.
- Collection 18 Partner — Organization represented by board director Drew Pizzo, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- Curve New York Partner — Co-hosts the Ac Showcase event at Curve New York.
- DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS Partner — Flagship program recognizing student achievements in the fashion industry
- Dallas Market Center Partner — Collaborates on the Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market events in August and October 2026.
- Deepa Gurnani Partner — Organization represented by board director Jay Lakhani, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- Design Quadrant Partner — Organization led by board officer Frank Zambrelli, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- Dillard's Partner — Organization represented by board director Armando Gonzalez, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- Echo Partner — Organization represented by board director Steven Roberts, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- Elias World Media Partner — Organization represented by board director Monica Elias, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- Essilor Partner — Collaborated on promotional opportunities for members
- EssilorLuxottica Partner — 2026 sponsor of the Design Excellence Awards
- EssilorLuxottica Partner — Honored as a Pioneering Spirit recipient at the 2026 ACE Awards.
- EssilorLuxottica Partner — Organization represented by board director Valentina Cerchiari, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- FFANY Partner — Collaborates on the breast cancer fundraiser "FFANY Shoes on Sale" which has donated millions for first-step research.
- FGX Partner — Featured FGX in a campaign collaboration on eyewear.
- FGX International Partner — Organization represented by board director Samantha Niewadomski Stapleton, indicating a leadership affiliation with Accessories Council
- Gemological Institute of America Partner — Featured the Gemological Institute of America in an editorial feature on gemstones.
- Grandview Klein Diamonds Partner — Published a feature on Grandview Klein Diamonds highlighting their work in the diamond industry.
- Hammitt Partner — Hosts a Happy Hour event in collaboration with the Accessories Council in Hermosa Beach.
+ 38 more
strategies · 3
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 Through Networked Visibilitymethodology: market-visibility-through-storytellingBy combining editorial features, social media storytelling, and member partnerships, the organization increases brand visibility for emerging and established designers because multi-channel amplification across trusted platforms drives consumer excitement and retailer engagement.
- Industry Advocacy and Collective Growthmethodology: industry_advocacy_and_awarenessBy advocating for the accessories industry and facilitating exchange among stakeholders, the organization increases market demand and sector sustainability because unified representation strengthens industry visibility and consumer engagement.
- Recognition-Driven Professional Developmentmethodology: recognition-driven_industry_educationBy honoring student achievements and influential tastemakers, the organization stimulates industry-wide learning and innovation because public recognition convenes professionals around shared standards of excellence and inspires aspirational growth.