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Elevate Youth Services Incorporated

EIN 03-0262162 · Barre, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ELEVATE'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE SAFETY, COMPETENCE, AND CONFIDENCE AS YOUTH CREATE THEIR PATH THROUGH ADOLESCENCE AND INTO ADULTHOOD.ELEVATE PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF INNOVATIVE AND EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS THAT EMPOWER AND ENRICH THE LIVES OF YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, AND TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT TO OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT VERMONT. ELEVATE'S PHILOSOPHY IS ONE THAT RESPECTS YOUNG PEOPLE AND ENCOURAGES EACH ONE TO FIND AND BUILD ON THEIR STRENGTHS AND UNIQUE GIFTS. USING A POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT APPROACH, OUR DEDICATED STAFF WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUTH TO IDENTIFY THE DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORTS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT PROMOTE SUCCESS, RATHER THAN ON ELIMINATING THE FACTORS THAT PROMOTE FAILURE.

Income
$5.7 million
Spending
$5.5 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 63%
Employees
42
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$96,744, exec. dir.

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 72% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $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

    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

    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 (1)
  1. $4.8 million spent. ELEVATE YOUTH SERVICES PROVIDES AN INTEGRATED CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR YOUTH AGES 12-24, GROUNDED IN RELATIONSHIP, STABILITY, AND REAL-WORLD SUPPORT. YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT EXPECTED TO NAVIGATE SYSTEMS ON THEIR OWN. OUR PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE AND MOVE WITH THEM AS THEIR NEEDS CHANGE. OUR HOMELESS YOUTH HOUSING PROGRAMS OFFER BOTH IMMEDIATE SAFETY AND LONGER-TERM STABILITY. THIS INCLUDES EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR YOUTH WHO CANNOT SAFELY REMAIN AT HOME, AS WELL AS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WORKING TOWARD INDEPENDENCE. YOUTH RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT, LIFE SKILLS SUPPORT, AND CONSISTENT ADULT CONNECTION, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON CHOICE, DIGNITY, AND BUILDING A SENSE OF HOME. COUNTRY ROADS PROVIDES COUNSELING, FAMILY SUPPORT, CRISIS RESPONSE, AND SHORT-TERM SHELTER FOR YOUTH IN ACUTE SITUATIONS. THE PROGRAM WORKS CLOSELY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR CAREGIVERS TO STABILIZE CRISES, STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS, AND CREATE SAFER, MORE SUSTAINABLE PATHS FORWARD. RETURN HOUSE IS A 24-HOUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE AGING OUT OF DCF CUSTODY AND NEED A STABLE, SUPPORTIVE PLACE TO LAND. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES STRUCTURE, RELATIONSHIP, AND DAILY LIVING SUPPORT, ALONGSIDE INDIVIDUALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE BUILD THE SKILLS AND CONNECTIONS NEEDED FOR LONG-TERM STABILITY. OUR HEALTHY YOUTH PROGRAMS (HYP) PROVIDE SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELING, PREVENTION, AND EARLY INTERVENTION FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS. THIS WORK IS FULLY INTEGRATED ACROSS ELEVATE, SO THAT NO MATTER WHERE A YOUNG PERSON ENTERS, THEY HAVE ACCESS TO CONSISTENT, COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT AROUND SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH. THE BASEMENT TEEN CENTER OFFERS A FREE, SUBSTANCE-FREE SPACE WHERE TEENS CAN GATHER, BUILD COMMUNITY, AND ACCESS SUPPORT FROM TRUSTED ADULTS. IT IS A PLACE FOR BELONGING, CREATIVITY, AND LEADERSHIP, WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN SHOW UP AS THEY ARE AND BE PART OF SOMETHING. THE VERMONT COALITION OF RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH PROGRAMS (VCRHYP) SUPPORTS A STATEWIDE NETWORK OF PROVIDERS WORKING WITH YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND INSTABILITY. THROUGH THIS ROLE, ELEVATE HELPS COORDINATE TRAINING, DATA, FUNDING, AND SHARED BEST PRACTICES, STRENGTHENING THE OVERALL SYSTEM OF CARE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS VERMONT. YOUTH IN TRANSITION (YIT) AND THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (YDP) ARE STATEWIDE PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY ELEVATE. IN ADDITION TO DIRECTLY SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE, ELEVATE PROVIDES LEADERSHIP, COORDINATION, AND SUPPORT TO PARTNER AGENCIES ACROSS VERMONT DELIVERING THESE SERVICES. BOTH PROGRAMS OFFER ONGOING, YOUTH-DRIVEN CASE MANAGEMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE NAVIGATING INSTABILITY, AGING OUT OF SYSTEMS, OR BUILDING INDEPENDENCE. THE WORK FOCUSES ON HELPING YOUTH SET THEIR OWN GOALS, REMOVE BARRIERS, AND ACCESS WHAT THEY NEED, INCLUDING EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, AND SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS. ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS, ELEVATE OPERATES WITHIN A COMMUNITY OF CARE MODEL THAT CENTERS RELATIONSHIPS, DIGNITY, AND CONNECTION. WE BELIEVE THAT SUPPORT SHOULD FEEL HUMAN, ACCESSIBLE, AND CONSISTENT, AND THAT EVERY YOUNG PERSON DESERVES TO BE SUPPORTED IN BUILDING THE LIFE THEY WANT TO LIVE. ELEVATE YOUTH SERVICES PROVIDES AN INTEGRATED CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR YOUTH AGES 12-24, GROUNDED IN RELATIONSHIP, STABILITY, AND REAL-WORLD SUPPORT. YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT EXPECTED TO NAVIGATE SYSTEMS ON THEIR OWN. OUR PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE AND MOVE WITH THEM AS THEIR NEEDS CHANGE. OUR HOMELESS YOUTH HOUSING PROGRAMS OFFER BOTH IMMEDIATE SAFETY AND LONGER-TERM STABILITY. THIS INCLUDES EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR YOUTH WHO CANNOT SAFELY REMAIN AT HOME, AS WELL AS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WORKING TOWARD INDEPENDENCE. YOUTH RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT, LIFE SKILLS SUPPORT, AND CONSISTENT ADULT CONNECTION, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON CHOICE, DIGNITY, AND BUILDING A SENSE OF HOME. COUNTRY ROADS PROVIDES COUNSELING, FAMILY SUPPORT, CRISIS RESPONSE, AND SHORT-TERM SHELTER FOR YOUTH IN ACUTE SITUATIONS. THE PROGRAM WORKS CLOSELY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR CAREGIVERS TO STABILIZE CRISES, STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS, AND CREATE SAFER, MORE SUSTAINABLE PATHS FORWARD. RETURN HOUSE IS A 24-HOUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE AGING OUT OF DCF CUSTODY AND NEED A STABLE, SUPPORTIVE PLACE TO LAND. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES STRUCTURE, RELATIONSHIP, AND DAILY LIVING SUPPORT, ALONGSIDE INDIVIDUALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE BUILD THE SKILLS AND CONNECTIONS NEEDED FOR LONG-TERM STABILITY. OUR HEALTHY YOUTH PROGRAMS (HYP) PROVIDE SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELING, PREVENTION, AND EARLY INTERVENTION FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS. THIS WORK IS FULLY INTEGRATED ACROSS ELEVATE, SO THAT NO MATTER WHERE A YOUNG PERSON ENTERS, THEY HAVE ACCESS TO CONSISTENT, COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT AROUND SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH. THE BASEMENT TEEN CENTER OFFERS A FREE, SUBSTANCE-FREE SPACE WHERE TEENS CAN GATHER, BUILD COMMUNITY, AND ACCESS SUPPORT FROM TRUSTED ADULTS. IT IS A PLACE FOR BELONGING, CREATIVITY, AND LEADERSHIP, WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN SHOW UP AS THEY ARE AND BE PART OF SOMETHING. THE VERMONT COALITION OF RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH PROGRAMS (VCRHYP) SUPPORTS A STATEWIDE NETWORK OF PROVIDERS WORKING WITH YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND INSTABILITY. THROUGH THIS ROLE, ELEVATE HELPS COORDINATE TRAINING, DATA, FUNDING, AND SHARED BEST PRACTICES, STRENGTHENING THE OVERALL SYSTEM OF CARE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS VERMONT. YOUTH IN TRANSITION (YIT) AND THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (YDP) ARE STATEWIDE PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY ELEVATE. IN ADDITION TO DIRECTLY SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE, ELEVATE PROVIDES LEADERSHIP, COORDINATION, AND SUPPORT TO PARTNER AGENCIES ACROSS VERMONT DELIVERING THESE SERVICES. BOTH PROGRAMS OFFER ONGOING, YOUTH-DRIVEN CASE MANAGEMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE NAVIGATING INSTABILITY, AGING OUT OF SYSTEMS, OR BUILDING INDEPENDENCE. THE WORK FOCUSES ON HELPING YOUTH SET THEIR OWN GOALS, REMOVE BARRIERS, AND ACCESS WHAT THEY NEED, INCLUDING EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT

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 December 1976.

    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.