United Playaz Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
United Playaz is a San Francisco-based violence prevention and youth development organization. We provide a comprehensive range of services to prepare vulnerable youth for higher education, employment, and healthy living within a safe, nurturing, and collaborative environment.
- Income
- $7.7 million
- Spending
- $11.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- -23 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 93%
- Employees
- 23
- Volunteers
- 6
- Highest pay
- $166,752, executive 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: 30 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 137% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 45% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 38% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 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
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)
- $1.2 million spent. Re-Entry & Crisis Response/Intervention-The organization provides skill development and workforce enrollment services and referrals to vocational training and other employment programs. The program provides mentoring and assistance with navigating systems postincarceration. Further, the organization provides crisis response and intervention services to youth, geared toward reducing cycles of destructive behavior. The program improves the kids' overall health by increasing their knowledge and access to ancillary services through a well-established network of partners and referral services.
- $6.5 million spent. Afterschool Programs-The organization provides after-school and full-day summer programs for K-8 students, and delivers project based learning, enrichment, and academic support activities, through a connection-based model assisting students in building relationship with staff who teach/model important skills and opportunities for social emotional learning and practice, complimented by a variety of activities to provide daily physical activity, nutrition/healthy choices, art, culture, sports, community engagement opportunities that are grounded in trust based relational interventions
- $736,610 spent. Justice Services-The organization targets young people who are system involved, or in custody, with focus on youth involved with assault or weapons charges. Our cohort model serves 8-12 youth over a 24-week period, during 2 Phases. Intake assessments, and at least 1 meeting with a parent/caregiver and communication with any other relevant adults (PO, Counselor, etc) take place prior to participation. Phase 1 provides in-person intensive peer group meetings, virtual group sessions, and individual mentoring for 12 weeks. Phase 2 continues virtual group sessions and individual mentoring.
- $2.0 million spent. In-School Violence Prevention-This organization utilizes a strengths-based approach to build individual confidence so youth believe they are capable intellectually, and with directed supports grounded in social emotional learning and practice and trust based relational interventions, they are better able to manage classroom expectations and reach academic benchmarks. Additional activities include school site clubs, workshops, and presentations.
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 October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on November 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on September 15, 2011.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2012.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.