Youth Advocacy Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE YOUTH ADVOCACY FOUNDATION (YAF) IS A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION AND THE NON-PROFIT ARM OF THE STATE JUVENILE DEFENDER'S OFFICE, WHOSE MISSION IS PROTECTING AND ADVANCING THE LEGAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS OF CHILDREN TO PROMOTE THEIR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH ACTIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES. YAF'S PRIMARY FOCUS IS SUPPORT THE CLIENTS OF EDLAW PROJECT, WHICH WORKS TO SHUT DOWN THE CRADLE-TO-PRISON PIPELINE IN MA BY ENSURING THAT OUR STATE'S MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS RECEIVE A STABLE AND QUALITY EDUCATION THROUGH EXPERT HOLISTIC, INDIVIDUAL, AND SYSTEMIC RACIALLY-CONSCIOUS, STUDENT-DIRECTED ADVOCACY.
- Income
- $569,324
- Spending
- $587,038
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 27.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 51
- Highest pay
- $186,801, yaf chair (dir of yad)
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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 27.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 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 (1)
- $400,825 spent. THE YOUTH ADVOCACY FOUNDATION (YAF) WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2001 WITH THE MISSION OF PROTECTING AND ADVANCING THE LEGAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS OF CHILDREN. FOR THE PAST 24 YEARS, YAF HAS REMAINED STEADFAST IN OUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT EVERY CHILD HAS ACCESS TO ZEALOUS REPRESENTATION, ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES, AND A QUALITY EDUCATION. THE YOUNG PEOPLE WE REPRESENT ARE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. GETTING THE RIGHT EDUCATION, INCLUDING LEARNING TO READ, IS HOW STUDENTS CAN ESCAPE THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND THE SCHOOL-TO-PRISON PIPELINE. YAF FUNDS THE MANY WAYS WE ARE ENSURING AND ENHANCING THE EDUCATION REPRESENTATION THAT THE EDLAW ATTORNEYS PROVIDE, INCLUDING: INTAKE, PARALEGAL, AND LEGAL SUPPORT; DEDICATED SOCIAL WORK SUPPORT FOR OUR EDUCATION CLIENTS; A CLIENT SUPPORT PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES NEEDED ITEMS AND SERVICES FOR CLIENTS SUCH AS FOOD, CLOTHING, SUPPLIES, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING; YAF V.O.I.C.E.S. A GROUP FOR YOUTH AND PARENTS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE; RESOURCES TO HELP ATTACK STRUCTURAL RACISM IN OUR SCHOOLS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS.
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 June 2002.
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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