About
She's the First (STF) is a New York–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in November 2009 that works toward a world where every girl chooses her own future. Rather than running schools itself, STF teams up with girls and with community organizations across the Global South, providing training, funding, and mentorship so that girls are educated, respected, and heard. In October 2025, She's the First announced a merger with Girl Rising, with the combined organization operating under the Girl Rising name.
Mission
She's the First describes its work as building a world where every girl chooses her own future — supporting girls to be educated, respected, and to have their voices amplified in their homes, schools, and communities.
What they do
- Girls as activists: STF trains girls to advocate for themselves, giving them tools and platforms to speak up for their rights with teachers, peers, and government representatives. The organization is a co-organizer of The Global Girls' Bill of Rights.
- Girls First Institute: a professional development program that strengthens community-based organizations in the Global South by training the women mentors and program leaders who work directly with girls — covering topics such as designing sex education programs, incorporating girls into program design, identifying dropout risks, and feminist mentorship.
- Funding and mentorship: partner organizations in training cohorts receive flexible grants that support girls' educational access and after-school mentorship, along with measurement tools to track outcomes.
Scale and impact
- In 2024, She's the First reached 289,149 girls across six continents, an 80.6% increase over the previous year.
- Over 16 years, the organization reports improving the futures of 1,115,000 girls, working with 900 community organizations and 295 girl-led chapters in 62 countries.
- 85% of trained program leaders report implementing meaningful changes within 3 months of training.
Merger with Girl Rising
Announced on International Day of the Girl 2025, She's the First merged with Girl Rising, uniting STF's grassroots partnerships and girl-leader networks with Girl Rising's storytelling and education initiatives. The combined organization operates under the Girl Rising brand at girlrising.org, with Nidhi Shukla and Christina Lowery serving as co-CEOs beginning in 2026 and STF co-founder Tammy Tibbetts taking a one-year Chief Advisor role during the transition.
Financials
Per ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, for fiscal year 2025 She's the First Inc reported total revenue of $1,933,430, total expenses of $1,043,802, and net assets of $1,553,951. Contributions made up 98.7% of revenue.
Governance
Tammy Tibbetts, co-founder, has served as President and Co-CEO. The board of directors, whose members serve without compensation, has been chaired by Tara Abrahams. The organization has been tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since June 2011.
