Our Mission

At Days for Girls International (DfG) we are turning periods into pathways. We increase access to menstrual care and education by developing global partnerships, cultivating social enterprises, mobilizing volunteers, and innovating sustainable solutions that shatter stigma and limitations for women and girls.

Needs We Address

DAYS FOR GIRLS INTERNATIONAL period poverty girls period poverty menstrual equity menstration menstrual supplies menstrual care menstrual education

Website

daysforgirls.org

Phone

+1 5035044813

Email

info@daysforgirls.org

Office

P.o. Box 2622
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
United States

DBA

Nonprofit/Charity Since

2012

Registered Country

United States

EIN

45-3934671

NTEE Category

B25 - Secondary & High Schools ? Schools comprising any span of grades beginning with the next grade following an elementary school and ending at or below grade 12. Includes junior high schools or intermediate schools and high schools which provide formal instruction for students who want to prepare further education at the college level or for employment following graduation.

B02 - Management & Technical Assistance ? Consultation, training, and other forms of management assistance services to nonprofit groups within the Education major group area.

E01 - Alliances & Advocacy ? Organizations whose activities focus on influencing public policy within the Health - General and Rehabilitative major group area. Includes a variety of activities from public education and influencing public opinion to lobbying national and state legislatures.

E40 - Reproductive Health Care ? Organizations that provide medical, educational and counseling services which relate to the conception, delivery and care of offspring. Use this code for organizations other than family planning centers that offer reproductive health services.

E42 - Family Planning ? Organizations that provide assistance for people who want to control the size of their families and the spacing of their children, either through some form of birth control or naturally. Use this code for Planned Parenthood organizations.

J02 - Management & Technical Assistance ? Consultation, training, and other forms of management assistance services to nonprofit groups within the Employment, Job Related major group area.

J22 - Job Training ? Organizations that train people in the specific skills they will need to obtain employment in a particular industry or which provide work experience for youth or others who have no employment history.

R24 - Womens Rights ? Organizations that support the passage and enforcement of laws and other social measures that protect and promote the rights and interests of women.

Mission

At Days for Girls International (DfG) we are turning periods into pathways. We increase access to menstrual care and education by developing global partnerships, cultivating social enterprises, mobilizing volunteers, and innovating sustainable solutions that shatter stigma and limitations for women and girls.

Vision

Our vision is to create a world with dignity, health, and opportunity for all.

Short-term Goals

At Days for Girls, our short term goals include further investments in Menstrual Health education as well as Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation. We aim to expand our programs by laying foundations and shoring up best practices and policies.

Long-term Goals

At Days for Girls our big idea is to reach 5 million women and girls by 2025. To reach that goal, we recognize that local leaders are best positioned to drive sustainable, long-lasting change in their communities. That is why we equip women and girls with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need. As the only global NGO with a full system-change approach in menstrual health, we solve the problem of menstrual inequality by building partners with governments, NGOs, institutions, and local leaders. This proven model has allowed us to reach over 2.9 million in 145 countries. Other organizations focus on one or two areas (products or education) but our Theory of Change impacts all four areas: livelihoods, advocacy, products and education.

Value Statement

Menstrual equity everywhere. Period.

Elevator Speech

As a unique NGO with a full system-change approach, Days for Girls solves the problem of menstrual inequity by focusing on four areas of impact reflected in our Theory of Change: livelihoods, advocacy, products and education.

Total Volunteers

1000

Website

View Volunteer Page

990 Forms

2023 - None

2022 - 990

2021 - 990

2020 - 990

Financial Statements

2024 - None

2023 - None

2022 - None

2021 - None

Revenue

$3,610,959

Expenses

$3,513,290

Funds Spent on Salaries

$1,063,369

1-Year Financial Goals

With the economic downturn, we are focused on building our financial reserves, as well as focusing on 2-3 key areas in order to expand our current programs versus building out new programs.

5-Year Financial Goals

We will continue to build up our financial reserves, as well as build out our donor portfolio, including individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners.

Top 5 Funders in Past Year

Murdock Trust Charitable Foundation
This is L
Mark & Jennifer Lynn Charitable Fund
Rotary International
J Randal & Sharon Cochrane Charitable Fund

2021 -

2020 -

2019 -

2018 -

Successes

Funders

We have many menstrual health champions, ranging from large corporations to family foundations. In 2022, we had a few funders we'd like to highlight. This is L funded projects in Malawi, as well as our US advocacy and volunteer programs, enabling DfG to reach women and girls within their own communities. We also had incredible support from the Murdock Trust Charitable Foundation, which allowed DfG to broaden and strengthen our donor base and donor relations.

Challenges

Locations - One challenge we face is the implementation of projects in last-mile locales and remote locations. Associated challenges include the following: -Navigating poor infrastructure and sometimes mountainous terrain for safe and reliable travel to project locations. -Establishing regular touchpoints with those areas with whom we have previously engaged for collection of MLE data. -Spotty internet and cell phone coverage for smooth operations, communication and support of our Social Enterprises as they navigate running a business. -Supply chain for production of DfG Kits. We address these challenges through strategic investments in supply chain infrastructure, quality tools, diverse technologies and targeted initiatives. For instance, we have scheduled regular site visits and training that have helped to address cross-cutting issues. We use diverse types of transport based on the terrain (sometimes this is more expensive but we balance safety while working to reach the last mile). On occasions, team members trek to remote areas inaccessible by vehicles, carrying the Kits along. We ensure staff go in pairs at the very least, and they take first aid kits to be prepared for any situations in which they might need them. Education, Stigma and Cultural Beliefs - DfG faces the challenge of adapting the Days for Girls International education curriculum to local contexts. To overcome this hurdle, local staff actively collaborate with stakeholders at the community level. This ensures that the distribution of menstrual products and education is conducted in a manner that is culturally appropriate and precise. Addressing deep-rooted cultural beliefs requires ongoing, holistic engagement and reinforcement in order to develop positive shifts that are led from within the community. Although this approach does take longer and is more expensive, we are committed to sustainable, locally-led solutions. Global Economy - Another challenge we face is presented by the global economy. With global economics currently in flux, individual donors are less willing to give, and corporations are adopting narrower funding strategies. As an organization that relies on the generosity of individuals, foundations and businesses, this economic dip is presenting a fiscal obstacle course.

Partnerships

We have many partnerships that are critical to advance our mission, including partners who assist in relief efforts, as well as funding & corporate partners. In 2021, USA Chapters and Teams sent 21,001 Kits to refugee girls in Chad in partnership with Watoto Read and Jesuit Refugee Services! Surpassing the original goal, an additional 3,100 Kits were sent to Bolivia with partners Global Links, these Kits were distributed to those impacted by COVID-19. In June, 2,019 Kits were sent to Jordan with Lifting Hands International where they will be distributed to refugees and Jordanians in partnership with the National Women's Health Care Center and the Jordan Medical Aid for Palestinians. This was so well received that our partners requested more. USA Chapters,Teams and Clubs mobilized to send an additional 16,000 Kits! When a volcano erupted in the DRC, Chapters, Teams and Clubs supported the emergency response by raising $10,000 USD to sponsor 1,000 DfG Kits regionally made by DfG Social Enterprises to be distributed to women and girls affected. This effort was then matched by Tearfund for a total of 2,000 DfG Kits! Following the earthquake in Haiti in August 2021, Chapters, Teams and Clubs sent 11,850 DfG Kits to contribute to the emergency response efforts in Partnership with Convoy of Hope, Mission of Hope and World Vision Canada. Chapters and Teams in Australia and Canada also partnered with World Vision Canada to reach to reach 17,255 refugees in Burundi and 4,967 refugees in Somalia. Chapters, Teams and Clubs reached 3,600 newly arrived Afghan refugees in the US with DfG Kits in October 2021 with Convoy of Hope. Finally, Chapters and Teams reached 4,800 girls in Venezuela in partnership with Ventura and Meals 4 Hope. We are so proud of DfG volunteers - as more Kits are needed we know that Chapters, Teams and Clubs will step up to meet this need! Speaking of stepping up! At Days for Girls, we know that women and girls not only need access to period products but also the ability to choose which products are best for them. In May 2020, the South Africa Bureau of Standards published a new standard for washable pads (SANS 1812). This standard plays an important role in empowering women and girls by expanding their product choice, giving them another menstrual product option that is safe and effective. But we have learned there are still social barriers that discourage women and girls from choosing washable pads - including misconceptions, stigmas and general lack of information about washable pads. To help tackle these barriers, Days for Girls Advocacy partnered with the South African government, UNFPA, WaterAid and the research institute MIET Africa to conduct a study focusing on the perceptions that students and their caregivers have about washable pads. Key learnings from this study will help inform a menstrual health advocacy campaign that addresses the stigmas associated with washables. The campaign will help to educate and raise awareness that washable pads can be a comfortable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable option. We are excited that this campaign will support the dignity of people with periods by expanding product choice.