Supporting Women and Girls Through Action

As a woman-owned firm, ZIM understands firsthand the value of women’s perspectives in shaping strong organizations. Women are represented in leadership positions throughout ZIM’s team, and their perspectives actively inform our decision-making processes, strategic recommendations, and client partnerships.

Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate the impact women have in our communities and to recognize the organizations working every day to ensure they thrive. This month, we are highlighting several of our clients whose missions directly advance opportunity, stability, and growth for women and girls.

Before spotlighting our client’s work, it is important to understand the broader landscape in which women are leading and serving. The data provides helpful context for why sustained investment in women and girls matters across the nonprofit sector.

Women Leaders in the Nonprofit Sector: What the Numbers Reveal

Women are central to the nonprofit sector, and their leadership continues to shape the strength and resilience of communities across the country. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up approximately 75% of the nonprofit and social assistance workforce, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women power the day-to-day work of nonprofit organizations, from program leadership and direct service to development and operations, demonstrating the depth of talent and commitment they bring to mission- driven work. They bring collaboration, empathy, and long-term community investment to their work, often serving as the connective tissue between programs, partners, and the people organizations serve.  Despite women’s noted strengths, the data reveal opportunities for growth. BoardSource’s Leading with Intent study further underscores disparities in governance leadership. Although women serve on nonprofit boards in significant numbers, board chair roles and other key leadership positions remain disproportionately male nationwide, excluding women from governance structures that directly shape executive hiring, evaluation, and compensation decisions. Colorado data reinforces the validity of these national trends. The Status of Women & Girls in Colorado report from the Women’s Foundation of Colorado documents persistent wage gaps across industries and shows that women of color experience the greatest disparities in income and economic security. These inequities compound over time, influencing leadership mobility and long-term financial stability.

Closing these gaps is not only a matter of equity, but also an investment in the long-term strength of the communities the nonprofit sector is built to serve. When women are supported with education, mentorship, workforce opportunities, and professional networks, the ripple effects extend far beyond individual success. Families benefit, local economies grow stronger, and future generations gain access to opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach.

ZIM’s Women-Led and Women-Serving Clients

We are honored to partner with many organizations whose missions directly advance the lives of women and girls. The following are just a handful of the clients ZIM works with that are dedicated to supporting women and expanding opportunity in their communities.

• Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative is a women-led organization focused on improving maternal and infant health outcomes across Colorado. CPCQC works with hospitals, healthcare providers, and community partners to implement data-driven initiatives that improve the quality and safety of perinatal care. 

• Dress for Success Denver supports women entering or reentering the workforce by providing professional attire, career coaching, and long-term professional development programming. Beyond clothing, the organization offers job search preparation, interview coaching, financial literacy workshops, and a Professional Women’s Group that fosters peer support and continued growth. This comprehensive approach recognizes that economic empowerment requires both tangible resources and relational networks. 

• Families Forward Resource Center supports women and families with a strong focus on maternal health, family stability, and early childhood wellbeing. Through programs that center on mothers, including health education, parenting support, and access to critical resources, FFRC helps women build strong foundations for themselves and their children.

• Mi Casa Resource Center is a women-led organization dedicated to advancing economic prosperity for Latino and working-class communities. Through workforce development, entrepreneurship training, and financial capability programs, Mi Casa equips women with the tools needed to build stable careers and launch small businesses. 

• The Empowerment Program advances economic stability for women experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Through workforce readiness training, life skills education, and job placement support, the organization helps women transition from crisis to long-term self-sufficiency. Participants receive individualized case management, employment coaching, and connections to community resources that address both immediate needs and systemic barriers. 

While each of these organizations approaches women’s empowerment differently, together they represent a continuum of support that recognizes their potential at every stage of life.

Looking Ahead

The nonprofit sector is powered by women, and many of the missions we care about most depend on their leadership, creativity, and resilience. As we reflect this month, we are grateful to partner with organizations empowering women and girls in tangible, measurable ways. Their work continues long after March, and so our commitment to supporting that work continues as well.