Youth Justice Network Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Youth Justice Network (YJN)s mission is to break cycles of incarceration and build an equitable justice system by providing young people with individualized advocacy, mentorship, and opportunities to grow, thrive, and lead. (SEE SCHEDULE O)
- Income
- $5.9 million
- Spending
- $5.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- -1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 71%
- Employees
- 99
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $192,073, exec. director
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: 44 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 91% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 11 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
0 of 10Did not give 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (4)
- $2.1 million spent. In 2016, our core services were scaled with NYC public funding through a four-year Demonstration Pilot: a system of discharge planning and aftercare supports for the youngest people in NYC custody. We connect with youth shortly after their admission, expedite case processing through court-based advocacy, engage with youth in their neighborhoods post-release, and facilitate connections to supportive networks. In 2019, this Pilot was institutionalized, as evidenced by a $19M commitment made by the City to replicate this work and extend it to all populations (including special populations like ours) City-wide. They resulted in recognizing the relevance of individualized and community-based advocacy and building relationships that begin in custody.YJNs integrated programs support young people throughout their incarceration and transition to the community by helping them set and achieve goals to improve their civic and community engagement and to develop positive, healthy ties to their families and broader communities that allow them to contribute to society in meaningful ways. The following are the organizations recent accomplishments for our community-based, education, employment, and health and well-being services.Community Based (Core Services, Mentorship, Court-Advocacy, Books to Jails) YJNs team of advocates and mentors meet with participants in their communities to continue providing supportive services while establishing community ties, fostering prosocial activities and engagement, and supporting positive youth outcomes. Our Fatherhood program, which is funded by DYCD, was expanded to include Brooklyn as well as the Bronx, ensuring that we can reach even more fathers and help them to forge strong relationships with their children.
- $2.1 million spent. Health and Wellbeing:YJN introduced The Wellness Trust to provide timely crisis response, therapeutic counseling, cognitive behavior supports, mindfulness and healing practices, and creative outlets that promote resilience, stability, and belonging. Through a combination of therapeutic and arts-based supports and services, health and well-being services are integrated to address young peoples needs on an individualized basis. Staff worked across programs City-wide to show up for youth and families throughout the pandemic through a combination of professional staff, peer leaders and advocacy staff. Our health and wellbeing team incorporates arts therapy and arts activities, offering therapeutic art sessions to young people in and out of custody living with PTSD, anxiety, grief, and depression.
- $439,142 spent. Employment: Employment opportunities provide formerly incarcerated youth with critical pathways to economic independence, as well as a sense of purpose and self-worth. YJNs Career Services Center prepares young people for work and provides achievable career pathways to support long-term economic independence among the youngest people released from jail in New York City. Youth members participate in a five-day training program and are then connected to opportunities for paid internships and job placements. Last year, YJN received a DYCD contract through DYCD to facilitate the Community Resources for Employment and Development Program (CRED), which offers work readiness training, occupational training, and internships for up to 24 weeks, as well as job placement within a three-month follow-up period. The program is open to people up to the age of 40.
- $162,266 spent. Education:The Education Center team provides in-house HSE classes, tutoring, and referrals to additional educational pathways. Youth participants also engage with Youth Advocates/direct service staff to make educational progress in the following areas: outside referrals, preparation for school, school enrollment, tutoring, school attendance, and testing.
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 November 1990.
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.
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.