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Passes our checks

Youth for Understanding USA Inc

EIN 02-0557010 · Saginaw, MI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING PREPARES YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN A CHANGING, INTERDEPENDENT WORLD.

Income
$6.0 million
Spending
$6.1 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
-2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 70%
Employees
48
Volunteers
526
Highest pay
$175,928, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 141% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $2.4 million spent. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AGES 15-18 TRAVEL TO THE US FROM ONE OF FORTY FIVE COUNTRIES FOR ONE ACADEMIC YEAR, SEMESTER OR SUMMER AND LIVE WITH A VOLUNTEER HOST FAMILY AND ATTEND SCHOOL. STUDENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH ONGOING SUPPORT AND ORIENTATION TO HELP THEM HAVE A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE.
  2. $2.1 million spent. STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM: U.S, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, AGES 15-18, TRAVEL TO ONE OF THIRTY FIVE COUNTRIES FOR ONE ACADEMIC YEAR, SEMESTER OR SUMMER AND LIVE WITH A HOST FAMILY AND ATTEND SCHOOL. SOME SUMMER PROGRAMS INCORPORATE SPECIAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS LANGUAGE CLASSES, EXCURSIONS OR VOLUNTEER WORK IN ADDITION TO THE HOMESTAY EXPERIENCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.