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Young Americas Foundation

EIN 23-7042029 · Reston, VA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Young America's Foundation is a leading youth outreach organization of the Conservative Movement which ensures that increasing numbers of young people understand and are inspired by the ideas of individual freedom, a strong national defense, free enterprise, and traditional values.

Income
$41.6 million
Spending
$36.5 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
7.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
77
Volunteers
20,500
Highest pay
$866,579, yaf president & board pres.

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

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or 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 (4)
  1. $24.2 million spent. Student Programs: Young America's Foundation inspires young people - primarily in college, high school, and middle school - with conservative ideas through breakthrough conferences and seminars, campus lectures and activism initiatives, internships, free speech defense, the National Journalism Center, the Center for Entrepreneurship & Free Enterprise, and Young Americans for Freedom. Collectively, these programs inspire thousands of young people in person and millions more online through the organization's growing digital presence, including on YouTube, Instagram, and other platforms.
  2. $5.1 million spent. Educational Resources:As a trusted source of conservative ideas for decades, Young America's Foundation educates millions of young people and allies nationwide through print and digital content, including its website, books, brochures, posters, mailings, newsletters, Libertas magazine, and annual Reagan Ranch calendar. These resources ensure that broad audiences of young Americans and supporters of Young America's Foundation are informed about the important public policy issues facing America.
  3. Reagan Ranch and Reagan Ranch Center:Young America's Foundation preserves and protects the Reagan Ranch and operates the Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara, California, as premier Presidential sites to educate young people about the life, ideas, and legacy of President Ronald Reagan. The Reagan Ranch, known as the "Western White House, and the Reagan Ranch Center, known as the "Schoolhouse for Reaganism," are the largest and most impactful conservative sites on the West Coast. Each year, thousands of visitors - including students of all ages - walk in President Reagan's footsteps at the 688-acre Reagan Ranch, which is preserved exclusively through the philanthropic support of patriotic Americans. Thousands more visit the 20,000-square-foot Reagan Ranch Center, which houses expansive Exhibit Galleries, hosts student conferences and seminars, and community events featuring prominent conservative leaders.
  4. $786,095 spent. National Journalism Center

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1969.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.