named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Fashion Workers Act
Legislative campaign to establish labor rights and protections for models in New York State, including safeguards against financial and sexual exploitation and misuse of AI
Model Alliance Support Line
Confidential service providing assistance to fashion workers on work-related concerns such as unfair contracts, payment issues, and sexual abuse
RESPECT Program
Initiative focused on legal and policy reforms to protect models from exploitation, including advocacy around the Adult Survivors Act and workplace safety
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Education 2 activities
- Advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and child labor reformChampions legislative efforts to support survivors of sexual abuse, including advocacy for the Adult Survivors Act in New York and a lookback window for time-barred cases. Also led efforts to establish child labor protections in the modeling industry, securing inclusion of child models under state labor law.
- Development and dissemination of educational and safety resources for modelsCreates and publishes guides and explainers to inform models about their rights, warn of industry scams, and provide safety advice. Includes a comprehensive explainer and enforcement guide for the Fashion Workers Act and a public advisory on risks associated with Model Mayhem.
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Worker Rights Advocacy & Wage Protection 1 activity
- Advocacy for labor protections and regulatory reform in the fashion industryLeads campaigns and policy initiatives to secure legal protections for models and fashion workers, including the passage of the Fashion Workers Act in New York and the Talent Protections Act in California. Advocacy includes organizing press conferences, publishing public guidance, and mobilizing public support through open letters and direct engagement with lawmakers.
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Youth Safety and Protection Programs 1 activity
- Implementation of organizational safeguarding policiesOperates under a Safeguarding Policy to protect children and adults at risk from harm, with transparent systems for reporting, responding to, and learning from safeguarding concerns. Applies a survivor-centered approach across all programs and partnerships.
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Nonprofit Sector Research & Data Analysis 1 activity
- Research on labor conditions and risks in the fashion industryConducts research studies on critical issues affecting fashion workers, including sexual harassment, eating disorders, and the impact of AI. Collaborates with academic institutions to publish findings and inform policy, including the largest study to date on eating disorders in modeling.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Operation of direct support services for models and fashion workersProvides direct assistance to models and fashion workers through a discreet support line, offering help with on-the-job complaints, agent disputes, unpaid wages, and reporting of harassment or abuse. Services include confidential intake, issue tracking, legal referrals, and scam identification support.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$417K
Contributions & grants$417K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$334
expenses
Total expenses$371K
Program expenses48%
Admin / overhead33%
Fundraising18%
Salaries & benefits$260K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$333K
Cash$90K
Investments$0
Liabilities$15K
Net assets$318K
Liquid reserves2.9 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -19.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARA ZIFF | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $144K |
board members · 8
- ALESSANDRA BIAGGI — BOARD MEMBER (THRU 1/25)
- AMBRA GUTIERREZ — BOARD MEMBER
- AUDREY WINN — BOARD MEMBER, CHAIR (AS OF 1/25)
- BENJAMIN SKINNER — BOARD MEMBER
- CAITLIN ROONEY — BOARD MEMBER, TREASURER
- CARRE OTIS SUTTON — BOARD MEMBER
- CHRISTOPHER KERCHER — BOARD MEMBER, SECRETARY
- NIDHI SUNIL — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 32
Who they work with
- Assembly Member Karines Reyes Partner — Partnered with Assembly Member Karines Reyes on a press conference urging the passage of the Fashion Workers Act.
- Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal Government — Bill sponsor of the Adult Survivors Act
- Cuti Hecker Wang LLP Funder — Provided financial support for the Adult Survivors Act initiative
- Data & Society Partner — Research partner on a study examining AI's impact on fashion workers.
- Fashion Workers Act Government — Primary legislative framework advanced by the organization to regulate model management and secure labor protections in New York.
- Harvard University Partner — Collaborated with researchers to conduct a study on eating disorders in the modeling industry.
- Hutchinson Black & Cook LLC Funder — Provided financial support for the Adult Survivors Act initiative
- Law Office of Kevin Mintzer, P.C. Funder — Provided financial support for the Adult Survivors Act initiative
- Marc Levine Partner — Worked closely with Assembly Member Marc Levine to develop and pass the Talent Protections Act.
- Model Alliance Support Partner — Team providing direct support to fashion workers with workplace complaints.
- NYS Department of Labor Government — Collaborates on enforcement and public education related to the Fashion Workers Act, including reporting mechanisms for violations.
- National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Partner — Collaborates through board membership and advocacy for foster care reform and youth equity in the child welfare system.
- National Domestic Workers Alliance Partner — Demonstrated solidarity with the National Domestic Workers Alliance during a press conference supporting the passage of the Fashion Workers Act.
- New York State Department of Labor Government — Collaborated with the Model Alliance to amend state labor law to include child models as protected child performers.
- New York State Department of Labor Government — Collaborated with the NYS Department of Labor on the implementation of the Fashion Workers Act and held a joint press conference.
- Northeastern University Partner — Collaborated with researchers to conduct a study on eating disorders in the modeling industry.
- Office of Labor Policy & Standards Partner — Collaborates with the Office of Labor Policy & Standards to support freelance worker rights and provide resources.
- Omidyar Network Partner — Supported the NYFW event on AI, fashion, and creative labor.
- Polaris Partner — Refers models to Polaris for assistance with human trafficking through the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
- Quinn Emanuel Funder — Provided financial support for the Adult Survivors Act initiative
- RAINN Partner — Refers models to RAINN for anti-sexual violence support and crisis services.
- Representative Grace Meng Partner — Introduced the federal Child Performers Protection Act of 2015, which the Model Alliance supports.
- SAG-AFTRA Partner — Demonstrated solidarity with SAG-AFTRA during a press conference supporting the passage of the Fashion Workers Act.
- Safe Horizon Partner — Refers models to Safe Horizon for support related to rape, sexual assault, and incest.
- Senator Brad Hoylman Government — Bill sponsor of the Adult Survivors Act
- Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal Partner — Partnered with Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal on the introduction and passage of the Fashion Workers Act.
- Senator Diane Savino Partner — Co-announced proposed Child Model Act legislation with the Model Alliance in 2013.
- Senator Jeffrey Klein Partner — Co-announced proposed Child Model Act legislation with the Model Alliance in 2013.
- The Writers Guild Partner — Demonstrated solidarity with The Writers Guild during a press conference supporting the passage of the Fashion Workers Act.
- Wigdor LLP Funder — Provided financial support for the Adult Survivors Act initiative
+ 2 more
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.
- Alternative Unionization and Contract Empowermentmethodology: alternative_unionizationBy providing union-like protections and empowering models to negotiate agency contracts, the organization improves labor conditions because formalized, legally compliant structures increase worker power and reduce exploitative dynamics.
- Coalition-Based Legislative Advocacymethodology: coalition_based_advocacyBy building coalitions with survivors, advocates, lawmakers, and cross-industry allies, the organization advances stronger legal protections and enforcement because collective, multi-stakeholder pressure increases political will and policy impact.
- Integrated Safeguarding and Survivor-Centered Protectionmethodology: survivor_centered_safeguardingBy implementing prevention-focused, transparent safeguarding systems that center dignity and equity, the organization reduces harm and improves protection outcomes because inclusive systems build trust and enable early intervention.
- Research-Informed, Data-Driven Advocacymethodology: research_informed_advocacyBy grounding advocacy in collaborative research, survey data, and models' lived experiences, the organization produces credible, actionable policy solutions because evidence-based approaches increase legitimacy and effectiveness in legislative and public campaigns.
- Worker-Centered Advocacy and Policy Developmentmethodology: worker_centered_advocacyBy centering fashion workers' lived experiences and expertise in research, policy advocacy, and organizing, the organization produces more effective and equitable labor protections because those most impacted by systemic abuse are best positioned to identify problems and shape solutions.