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Wind Youth Services

EIN 23-7348227 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Provide Emergency Housing, Supportive Services and Opportunitites to Youth Experiencing Homelessness.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 89%
Employees
55
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$185,890, executive dir.

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

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 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

    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

    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 (1)
  1. $2.1 million spent. Wind Youth Services, Inc. provides resources, shelter and housing to youth experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. These programs improve individual youth health and welfare by: Wind Youth Drop-in Center: The Wind Youth Drop-in Center (DIC) offers youth experiencing homelessness a welcoming and age-appropriate environment away from the dangers of the street. At the DIC, we provide access to shelter and housing, case management, crisis respite, counseling, health and hygiene services, meals, employment assistance, educational assistance, and youth development workshops. In 2024, we served 325 unduplicated youth in the DIC who checked in for 10,630 visits. Adolescent Shelter: Sacramentos only emergency shelter for minors, the goal is to keep young people protected and off the street until reunification or an exit to safe and stable housing becomes available. In 2024, 43 youth were given haven at Winds Adolescent Shelter for a total of 649 bed nights. Common Ground: Emergency shelter for transition age youth, 18-24, who are experiencing homelessness. Youth receive supportive services including counseling, case management, and workforce development. Common Ground served 125 unduplicated youth in 2024 for a total of 6099 shelter bed nights. TAY: A 90-day transitional shelter for youth ages 18-24. Youth receive intensive case management, access to counseling, workforce development, and life skills activities. Thirty-two unduplicated youth accessed Winds TAY Shelter for a total of 1,997 bed nights in 2024. Transformational Housing Program (THP): With a capacity to meet the needs of twelve 1824-year-old youth in 2023, this two-year transitional living program focuses on the development of independent living skills. Through the support of a case manager, participating adolescents obtain/maintain employment, further their education, and/or pursue other self-determined goals. 15 unduplicated youth participated in this program in 2024.Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) This permanent supportive housing program supports transitional aged youth with disabilities and is operated in conjunction with Next Move Homeless Services. Residents are provided the most intensive supportive services vital for ensuring a chance at a full and productive life. Twelve unduplicated youth were given supportive housing and services in this program in 2024.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1974.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.