Salt N Light Youth Ministry
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
The primary purpose of Salt N Light Youth Ministry is to provide events and resources throughout the Mid-Atlantic region that cultivate students faith and aid youth leaders in making disciples for Jesus Christ.
- Income
- $217,038
- Spending
- $240,825
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- -0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 61%
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 35
- Highest pay
- $47,962, director - creative arts
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 19 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 115% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 33% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (3)
- $95,898 spent. Other program services include,recreation events/activities, supervision/participation in Summer Camp programs, ministry events, praise rallies, retreats/training sessions and church consultations - all being different aspects of maintaining and building interaction opportunities for youth and youth leaders.
- $84,043 spent. Zeteo - This is an ecumenical youth retreat weekend held with the vision of bringing together youth and adults from different traditions and backgrounds to seek faith, focus and friendships through speakers, testimonies, worship and seminars. This annual retreat is held in late January/early February.
- For more than 25 years, the organization had held a 4-day youth festival (Impact) each summer. This event traditionally provided between 35% - 50% of the organizations total program revenue in any year. The decision was made to discontinue that event for the 2024 program year (July, 2025).
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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? 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 September 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 February 1999.
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.