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Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation

EIN 23-7083384 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Mission of the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation is to provide advocacy, sustained funding, and increased opportunities for all 4-H youth and adult volunteers in the State of Arizona.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
19.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
1
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$98,576, executive director

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (4)
  1. $857,931 spent. The University of Arizona 4-H Youth Development program provides quality youth education by building positive relationships and life skills. We develop competence, caring and actively engaged citizens who strengthen Arizona communities. 4-H is for all youth, ages 5-19, who have fun, learn new skills, and explore the world. Kids 5-8 join Cloverbuds, a non-competitive, fun introduction to many projects available through 4-H. Youth ages 8-19 participate in 4-H by enrolling in projects and joining a club. In 4-H, young people make new friends, develop new skills, become leaders and help shape their communities. Youth have the opportunity to participate in 4-H experiences that strengthen a young persons sense of belonging, generosity, independence, and mastery. The 4-H Foundation created and implemented the Great 8 pathways in 2020-2021 covering the areas of agriculture, camp/outdoors, civic engagement, community service, cultural understanding, leadership, healthy living, and STEM. These pathways cross over all events, program and projects in 4-H and enable the Foundation to talk with donors in a more robust and inclusive way. Arizona 4-H Youth also go places--to camp, to state and national conferences and even on international cultural immersion exchanges. They learn to be leaders, active citizens and citizen scientists. In 4-H clubs, they serve as officers and learn to conduct meetings, handle club funds, and facilitate group decision-making. In a growing number of communities, 4-H Youth serve as youth representatives in municipal or county government or as members of teen courts. They give back to their communities. 4-H members are involved in volunteer projects to protect the environment, mentor younger children, and help people who are less fortunate. 4-H clubs and affiliated organizations derive their tax-exempt status under the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation. They do not have a tax existence outside of the Foundations umbrella, and for tax purposes are treated as programs of the Foundation. Accordingly, all revenues, expenses, and assets of these clubs and affiliated organizations are reported on the Foundations Form 990.
  2. $21,151 spent. Leadership camps, state and national conferences and statewide events are available for youth to attend through AZ 4-H. State 4-H Ambassadors also travel throughout the state and to national events representing AZ 4-H. Youth learn life skills and work place readiness including community involvement and civic engagement through the leadership tracks in 4-H.
  3. $14,033 spent. In Arizona 4-H, youth are involved in programs such as agriculture where they may attend local, state and national judging contests, perform club project work, county and state fairs, and participate in local and state horse and dog shows. Youth learn mastery in life skills associated with things like time management, responsibility and care for an animal, record keeping, teamwork, presentations and public speaking and much more.
  4. Program Service Expenses 96,373, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 All other programs

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

  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 October 13, 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 September 2025.

    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 1970.

    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 October 21, 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.