Our Story

The WGIRLS Inc. (“WGIRLS”) was founded by a small group of professional women in New York City, under the leadership of Amy Heller, who came together to donate their time, energy, and talents to help underprivileged women and children in their community. The WGIRLS organization was incorporated in 2007 and granted not-for-profit status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) retroactive to 2007 in August 2009.

Today, the WGIRLS NYC chapter has grown to approximately 60 active volunteers. Over the past year, the WGIRLS has expanded into a national organization and has founded chapters in New Orleans, New Jersey, Milwaukee, DC, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas and the Bay Area (San Francisco). For more information on our WGIRLS chapters, please visit our Chapters page.

The WGIRLS provides programming to disadvantaged women and children across New York City. Additionally the organization distributes grants to other non-profit organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (“501(c)(3) Organizations”) whose goals align with the mission, values, and commitment of the WGIRLS. Active members of the WGIRLS participate in WGIRLS programming and joint programming with other 501(c)(3) Organizations.

Since inception, the WGIRLS has donated more than $300,000 dollars in grants and provided hundreds of hours of volunteer services to partner 501(c)(3) organizations that share its commitment to serving the needs of disadvantaged women and children. See charities we’ve supported here. In addition, the WGIRLS have developed and implemented customized programming to meet outstanding needs in the community.