Plummer Youth Promise Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PLUMMER'S MISSION IS TO SET A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE THAT IMPROVES OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OR AT RISK OF ENTERING STATE CARE BY DEEPLY ENGAGING YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND THE SYSTEMS THAT IMPACT THEM TO DEVELOP PERMANENT FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, SKILLS, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS.
- Income
- $12.8 million
- Spending
- $9.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 59%
- Employees
- 82
- Highest pay
- $202,614, executive di
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
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (5)
- GROUP HOME: PLUMMER YOUTH PROMISE APPLIES AN INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME MODEL WE CALL "PERMANENCY, PREPAREDNESS, COMMUNITY." THE MODEL POSITS THAT ALL CHILDREN NEED FAMILIES, SKILLS, AND CONNECTIONS WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES TO SUCCEED AS ADULTS. OUR WORK FOCUSES HEAVILY ON MAKING SURE YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THEIR FAMILIES MAKE IT BACK TO THEIR FAMILY, OR TO A NEW, PERMANENT FAMILY, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS ELEMENT OF OUR WORK HAS DRAWN A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION FROM OTHERS, AND WE CONSULT TO AND/OR TRAIN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN BEST PRACTICES. OUR 12-PERSON GROUP HOME SERVES YOUNG PEOPLE ASSIGNED MALE AT BIRTH FROM AGES 13-18 REFERRED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. WE SERVE APPROXIMATELY 20 YOUNG PEOPLE PER YEAR AS YOUTH MOVE IN AND OUT. MOST YOUNG PEOPLE WERE REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO ISSUES OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT AND HAVE BEEN BOUNCING AROUND THE STATE'S CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR YOUTH TO HAVE BEEN MOVED A DOZEN OR MORE TIMES BETWEEN PLACEMENTS SUCH AS GROUP HOMES, FOSTER HOMES, AND HOSPITALS. AS A RESULT OF THIS DISRUPTION, MANY YOUTHS STRUGGLE WITH ISSUES SUCH AS POST TRAUMATIC STRESS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND ATTENTION CHALLENGES. ALL NEED A FAMILY WHO WILL COMMIT TO THEM FOREVER. WE DESIGNED AN EVALUATION SYSTEM TO MEASURE EACH YOUNG PERSON'S PROGRESS IN THE AREAS OF PERMANENCY, GROUP HOME: PLUMMER YOUTH PROMISE APPLIES AN INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME MODEL WE CALL "PERMANENCY, PREPAREDNESS, COMMUNITY." THE MODEL POSITS THAT ALL CHILDREN NEED FAMILIES, SKILLS, AND CONNECTIONS WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES TO SUCCEED AS ADULTS. OUR WORK FOCUSES HEAVILY ON MAKING SURE YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THEIR FAMILIES MAKE IT BACK TO THEIR FAMILY, OR TO A NEW, PERMANENT FAMILY, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS ELEMENT OF OUR WORK HAS DRAWN A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION FROM OTHERS, AND WE CONSULT TO AND/OR TRAIN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN BEST PRACTICES. OUR 12-PERSON GROUP HOME SERVES YOUNG PEOPLE ASSIGNED MALE AT BIRTH FROM AGES 13-18 REFERRED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. WE SERVE APPROXIMATELY 20 YOUNG PEOPLE PER YEAR AS YOUTH MOVE IN AND OUT. MOST YOUNG PEOPLE WERE REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO ISSUES OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT AND HAVE BEEN BOUNCING AROUND THE STATE'S CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR YOUTH TO HAVE BEEN MOVED A DOZEN OR MORE TIMES BETWEEN PLACEMENTS SUCH AS GROUP HOMES, FOSTER HOMES, AND HOSPITALS. AS A RESULT OF THIS DISRUPTION, MANY YOUTHS STRUGGLE WITH ISSUES SUCH AS POST TRAUMATIC STRESS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND ATTENTION CHALLENGES. ALL NEED A FAMILY WHO WILL COMMIT TO THEM FOREVER. WE DESIGNED AN EVALUATION SYSTEM TO MEASURE EACH YOUNG PERSON'S PROGRESS IN THE AREAS OF PERMANENCY,
- SUPPORTED APARTMENT PROGRAM LIKE IN OUR GROUP HOME, WE APPLY OUR PERMANENCY, PREPAREDNESS, COMMUNITY INTERVENTION MODEL(SEE DESRIPTION ABOVE)) IN OUR SUPPORTED APARTMENT PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM SERVES APPROXIMATELY 10-15 YOUNG PEOPLE ASSIGNED MALE AT BIRTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 16 AND 22 EACH YEAR. THE APARTMENT IS IN THE SAME BUILDING AS OUR GROUP HOME, BUT IT IS IN A PHYSICALLY SEPARATE PART OF THE BUILDING. YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN THE APARTMENT MUST BE IN SCHOOL OR WORKING, AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THINGS LIKE COOKING, GROCERY SHOPPING, LAUNDRY, AND CLEANING. IN THE SUPPORTED APARTMENT WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED THE SAME MEASUREMENT SYSTEM DESCRIBED ABOVE IN THE GROUP HOME DESCRIPTION.
- THE COMMUNITY APARTMENTS PROGRAM: OUR COMMUNITY APARTMENTS PROGRAM USES THE SAME INTERVENTION MODEL DESCRIBED IN THE SECTION ABOVE ON OUR GROUP HOME. THE COMMUNITY APARTMENTS PROGRAM SERVES NEARLY 30 YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 18- 22, WHO TURNED 18 WHILE IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND NOW HAVE NO PLACE TO LIVE. THE COMMUNITY APARTMENTS PROGRAM PROVIDES STUDIO OR ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENTS IN A VARIETY OF COMMUNITIES, CLOSE TO WHERE THE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WHEN POSSIBLE. THE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN THE GROUP HOME AND SUPPORTED APARTMENT IS ALSO USED IN THE COMMUNITY APARTMENT PROGRAM.
- $7.9 million spent. FOSTER CARE: THE PERMANENCY, PREPAREDNESS COMMUNITY INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME MODEL DESCRIBED IN THE SECTION ABOVE ON OUR GROUP HOME IS ALSO USED IN OUR FOSTER CARE PROGRAM. THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM IS LICENSED TO SERVE CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS FROM TO BIRTH TO AGE 22. AS IN OUR OTHER PROGRAMS, WE PLACE PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE ON STOPPING YOUTH FROM BOUNCING AROUND THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND CONNECTING THEM WITH A FAMILY THAT IS COMMITTED TO THEM FOREVER. WE RECRUIT AND TRAIN FOSTER FAMILIES WHO BELIEVE IN OUR GOAL, AND THEY BECOME PART OF THE TEAM TO FIND THE CHILD A PERMANENT FAMILY. IN SOME CASES, THEY BECOME THE PERMANENT FAMILY. THE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM DESCRIBED IN THE GROUP HOME SECTION ABOVE IS ALSO USED IN OUR FOSTER CARE PROGRAM. THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM CURRENTLY SERVES MORE THAN 40 CHILDREN A YEAR. DEMAND FOR THE PROGRAM IS EXTRAORDINARY, AND WE TURN AWAY HUNDREDS OF REFERRALS EACH YEAR DUE TO LACK OF AVAILABLE FOSTER FAMILIES. FOR THAT REASON, WE ARE AGGRESSIVELY RECRUITING FOSTER PARENTS. INTENSIVE PERMANENCY SERVICES PROGRAM: PLUMMER YOUTH PROMISE OFFERS AN INTENSIVE PERMANENCY SERVICES PROGRAM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF) NORTHERN REGION OF MASSACHUSETTS. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, PLUMMER PERMANENCY EXPERTS WORK WITH YOUTH IN DCF CARE WHO LIVE IN NON-PLUMMER SETTINGS, SUCH AS OTHER GROUP CARE FACILITIES. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, WE PROVIDE INTENSIVE, PERMANENCY- SPECIFIC WORK ON EACH YOUTH'S CASE, WITH THE GOAL TO HELP THEM CONNECT OR RECONNECT WITH PERMANENT FAMILIES. OUR INTENSIVE PERMANENCY SERVICES INCLUDES APPLIES THE SAME BEST PRACTICES USED IN OUR RESIDENTIAL AND FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS: 1) FAMILY SEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT; 2) YOUTH GUIDED TEAMING; AND 3) PERMANENCY READINESS. THESE PRACTICES ARE DESCRIBED IN THE SECTION OF THIS RESPONSE DESCRIBING OUR PRACTICE LEADERSHIP SERVICES (DESCRIPTION PART III, 4H). IN FY25 WE SERVED 34 YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH OUR IPS PROGRAM. PERMANENCY MEDIATION: PLUMMER YOUTH PROMISE OFFERS PERMANENCY MEDIATION SERVICES, AN ALTERNATIVE TO A CONTESTED COURT PROCEEDING FOR CHILDREN IN THE MASSACHUSETTS FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. PERMANENCY MEDIATION ADDRESSES THE UNIQUE ISSUES INVOLVED IN CARE AND PROTECTION, GUARDIANSHIP, AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS PROCEEDINGS. THE MODEL USES AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY TO FACILITATE A CHILD-CENTERED APPROACH TO PERMANENCY PLANNING. BY GIVING PARENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP DEVELOP COOPERATIVE PLANS FOR THEIR CHILD'S FUTURE, PERMANENCY MEDIATION BOTH EMPOWERS AND PRESERVES FAMILIES. PLUMMER'S PERMANENCY MEDIATION SERVICES INCLUDE IDENTIFYING A CHILD'S SPECIFIC NEEDS AND THE STRENGTHS AND CHARACTERISTICS NEEDED FOR ANY ADULT TO SUCCESSFULLY PARENT A PARTICULAR CHILD; UNITING PARENTS, EXTENDED FAMILY, KIN, CAREGIVERS AND PROFESSIONALS IN A COOPERATIVE PLANNING PROCESS; EMPOWERING FAMILY MEMBERS THROUGH PARTICIPATORY PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING ON BEHALF OF THEIR CHILD; PROVIDING AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL ADULTS WHO ARE SIGNIFICANT IN A CHILD'S LIFE TO PLAN TOGETHER AND DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT CAN BE SUSTAINED OVER TIME; UTILIZING A THIRD-PARTY NEUTRAL WITH NO DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY OR STAKE IN A SPECIFIC OUTCOME; AND, ARE SCHEDULED AT THE CONVENIENCE OF FAMILIES WITHIN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES. IN FY24 WE SERVED 180 YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH PERMANENCY MEDIATION. PERMANENCY PRACTICE LEADERSHIP: EACH YEAR IN MA, APPROXIMATELY 1,000 YOUTH LEAVE FOSTER CARE WITHOUT A PERMANENT FAMILY- NATIONALLY, THE NUMBER IS ABOUT 23,000. THIS IS CALLED AGING OUT OF CARE. RESEARCH SHOWS STAGGERING NEGATIVE OUTCOMES FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE, THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN. IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM USE EFFECTIVE PRACTICES TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE WHILE MAXIMIZING THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING WITHIN LIFELONG FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. PLUMMER YOUTH PROMISE IS WORKING TO CHANGE THOSE OUTCOMES BY HELPING YOUTH ACHIEVE PERMANENCY - SAFE, STABLE, AND LIFELONG FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. TO HELP SPREAD PERMANENCY BEST PRACTICES BEYOND YOUTH WE SERVE DIRECTLY, PLUMMER PROVIDES TRAINING AND COACHING TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, PRIMARILY IN MASSACHUSETTS.
- FOSTER CARE: THE PERMANENCY, PREPAREDNESS COMMUNITY INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME MODEL DESCRIBED IN THE SECTION ABOVE ON OUR GROUP HOME IS ALSO USED IN OUR FOSTER CARE PROGRAM. THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM IS LICENSED TO SERVE CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS FROM TO BIRTH TO AGE 22. AS IN OUR OTHER PROGRAMS, WE PLACE PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE ON STOPPING YOUTH FROM BOUNCING AROUND THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND CONNECTING THEM WITH A FAMILY THAT IS COMMITTED TO THEM FOREVER. WE RECRUIT AND TRAIN FOSTER FAMILIES WHO BELIEVE IN OUR GOAL, AND THEY BECOME PART OF THE TEAM TO FIND THE CHILD A PERMANENT FAMILY. IN SOME CASES, THEY BECOME THE PERMANENT FAMILY. THE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM DESCRIBED IN THE GROUP HOME SECTION ABOVE IS ALSO USED IN OUR FOSTER CARE PROGRAM. THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM CURRENTLY SERVES MORE THAN 40 CHILDREN A YEAR. DEMAND FOR THE PROGRAM IS EXTRAORDINARY, AND WE TURN AWAY HUNDREDS OF REFERRALS EACH YEAR DUE TO LACK OF AVAILABLE FOSTER FAMILIES. FOR THAT REASON, WE ARE AGGRESSIVELY RECRUITING FOSTER PARENTS. INTENSIVE PERMANENCY SERVICES PROGRAM: PLUMMER YOUTH PROMISE OFFERS AN INTENSIVE PERMANENCY SERVICES PROGRAM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF) NORTHERN REGION OF MASSACHUSETTS. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, PLUMMER PERMANENCY EXPERTS WORK WITH YOUTH IN DCF CARE WHO LIVE IN NON-PLUMMER SETTINGS, SUCH AS OTHER GROUP CARE FACILITIES. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, WE PROVIDE INTENSIVE, PERMANENCY- SPECIFIC WORK ON EACH YOUTH'S CASE, WITH THE GOAL TO HELP THEM CONNECT OR RECONNECT WITH PERMANENT FAMILIES. OUR INTENSIVE PERMANENCY SERVICES INCLUDES APPLIES THE SAME BEST PRACTICES USED IN OUR RESIDENTIAL AND FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS: 1) FAMILY SEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT; 2) YOUTH GUIDED TEAMING; AND 3) PERMANENCY READINESS. THESE PRACTICES ARE DESCRIBED IN THE SECTION OF THIS RESPONSE DESCRIBING OUR PRACTICE LEADERSHIP SERVICES (DESCRIPTION PART III, 4H). IN FY25 WE SERVED 34 YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH OUR IPS PROGRAM. PERMANENCY MEDIATION: PLUMMER YOUTH PROMISE OFFERS PERMANENCY MEDIATION SERVICES, AN ALTERNATIVE TO A CONTESTED COURT PROCEEDING FOR CHILDREN IN THE MASSACHUSETTS FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. PERMANENCY MEDIATION ADDRESSES THE UNIQUE ISSUES INVOLVED IN CARE AND PROTECTION, GUARDIANSHIP, AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS PROCEEDINGS. THE MODEL USES AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY TO FACILITATE A CHILD-CENTERED APPROACH TO PERMANENCY PLANNING. BY GIVING PARENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP DEVELOP COOPERATIVE PLANS FOR THEIR CHILD'S FUTURE, PERMANENCY MEDIATION BOTH EMPOWERS AND PRESERVES FAMILIES. PLUMMER'S PERMANENCY MEDIATION SERVICES INCLUDE IDENTIFYING A CHILD'S SPECIFIC NEEDS AND THE STRENGTHS AND CHARACTERISTICS NEEDED FOR ANY ADULT TO SUCCESSFULLY PARENT A PARTICULAR CHILD; UNITING PARENTS, EXTENDED FAMILY, KIN, CAREGIVERS AND PROFESSIONALS IN A COOPERATIVE PLANNING PROCESS; EMPOWERING FAMILY MEMBERS THROUGH PARTICIPATORY PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING ON BEHALF OF THEIR CHILD; PROVIDING AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL ADULTS WHO ARE SIGNIFICANT IN A CHILD'S LIFE TO PLAN TOGETHER AND DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT CAN BE SUSTAINED OVER TIME; UTILIZING A THIRD-PARTY NEUTRAL WITH NO DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY OR STAKE IN A SPECIFIC OUTCOME; AND, ARE SCHEDULED AT THE CONVENIENCE OF FAMILIES WITHIN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES. IN FY24 WE SERVED 180 YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH PERMANENCY MEDIATION. PERMANENCY PRACTICE LEADERSHIP: EACH YEAR IN MA, APPROXIMATELY 1,000 YOUTH LEAVE FOSTER CARE WITHOUT A PERMANENT FAMILY- NATIONALLY, THE NUMBER IS ABOUT 23,000. THIS IS CALLED AGING OUT OF CARE. RESEARCH SHOWS STAGGERING NEGATIVE OUTCOMES FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE, THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN. IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM USE EFFECTIVE PRACTICES TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE WHILE MAXIMIZING THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING WITHIN LIFELONG FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. PLUMMER YOUTH PROMISE IS WORKING TO CHANGE THOSE OUTCOMES BY HELPING YOUTH ACHIEVE PERMANENCY - SAFE, STABLE, AND LIFELONG FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. TO HELP SPREAD PERMANENCY BEST PRACTICES BEYOND YOUTH WE SERVE DIRECTLY, PLUMMER PROVIDES TRAINING AND COACHING TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, PRIMARILY IN MASSACHUSETTS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1935.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.
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