Aguila Youth Leadership Instituteinc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To empower and prepare youth for college admission and graduation.
- Income
- $473,166
- Spending
- $455,666
- Spent on programs
- 60%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 88%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $84,000, ceo / founder
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1560% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (3)
- $272,799 spent. AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute provides a year round program serving 400 plus children in grades 8 through 12 in addition to serving an estimated 700 additional alumnae who are both in college and have graduated college with support services with on-going college and career counseling. The year round program provides thematic monthly seminars with a focus on college and career readiness in addition to related events and activities that provide a unique and holistic approach to the development of young leaders. Activities include, but are not limited to, the 3-night/4-day annual Summer Leadership Symposium specifically targeted to rising high school juniors and seniors as well as a specialized track for recent high school graduates in preparation for their journey to college in a university experience. The Symposium provides participants with workshops, presentations, a major, college and community/career fair as well as interaction with community leaders. Now in its 20th year, the Annual Honors Convocations held in June of each year serves to celebrate both high school and college admissions as well as parents who have returned to or started college and have graduated. The even provides information with regard to college admissions as well as the total award of scholarships which totaled nearly $10million beyond federal packages which brings the grand total over $145 million received in 20 years of operation. Students are also involved in various supplemental activities and events that contribute to their sense of well-being and belonging that contribute to their confidence and resiliency that has provided successful retention and graduation rates. Students are also separated by gender to participate in ALMA for the young women and Men of Honor for the young men where gender-specific programming has proven highly successful in creating awareness of issues, increasing self-esteem, confidence and resilience. Parents are required to attend sessions specifically addressing the college going process to ensure greater support of student success. The Counselor Institute is an exclusive component of the program and provides services to school guidance counselors in a partnership designed to increase the web of support for students.
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Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
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 December 2024.
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 February 2008.
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.