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The Youth Connection Inc

EIN 02-0647494 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Youth Connection is committed to connecting all youth and their families in metro Detroit to a brighter future by providing quality programs and supportive services.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 94%
Employees
67
Volunteers
49
Highest pay
$175,473, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (3)
  1. $774,898 spent. Other Programs: (1) The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) program raised awareness of substance abuse in targeted zip codes of Detroit. (2) The MDNR summer youth employment program provided support for Detroit youth ages 16-19 to provide them with an outdoor- focused summer job program along with opportunities for public service projects, outdoor recreation activities & carriers skill- building workshops. (3) CDBG-NOF program provided opportunities to Detroits youth aged 14-24 to learn a variety of careers through our partnership with a multitude of summer employment worksite partners and through trainings & workshops year-round. (4) Grow Detroit Young Talent (GDYT) Program. The program supported existing efforts to provide life & vocational skills training & summer work experience to Detroits youth aged 16-24. (5) The Strategic Prevention Framework Partnership For Success (SPF-PFS) targets substance use through collaborative efforts & evidence-based programming.
  2. $578,542 spent. Substance Abuse Program is a dynamic, participant-centered programs. It addresses the prevention & misuse of ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs) in metropolitan Detroit through the delivery of the following services targeting youth & their immediate families: Botvin Lifeskills Training - we provided substance abuse prevention training to students & young adults. We helped slash alcohol consumption rates, cigarette use, and marijuana use amomg program participants. We also worked with DWIHN in Detroit to conduct tobacco vendor education visits to tobacco retailers.
  3. $338,928 spent. The Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth program provided employment & training activities to economically disadvantaged youth ages 14-24. The program emphasize on serving youth within the City of Detroit & integrates summer & year-round services for youth. Youth learned job expectations. We provided youth with life-skills training and opportunities to understand the duties & tasks necessary for success in various careers through career pathways and internship programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 2003.

    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.