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Youth Focus Inc

EIN 23-7378057 · Charlotte, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

"HELPING YOUTH ACHIEVE SAFETY, SECURITY AND SUCCESS." PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS TO FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE YOUTH IN GUILFORD COUNTY; THOSE WHO ARE AT-RISK, IN CRISIS, HAVE RUNAWAY, AND/OR ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. YOUTH FOCUS PROVIDES NEEDED SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SOLUTIONS AND TRAUMA-INFORMED COUNSELING SO YOUTH RECEIVE THE HELP THEY NEED TODAY SO THEY CAN HAVE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 56%
Employees
66
Volunteers
195
Highest pay
$284,852, ceo, ayn

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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 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 (5)
  1. $847,241 spent. ACT TOGETHER IS AN EMERGENCY AND CRISIS SHELTER FOR MALE, FEMALE, AND GENDER-NONCONFORMING YOUTH AGES 11 TO 17 WHO HAVE RUN AWAY, ARE EXPERIENCING A FAMILY CRISIS, ARE THE VICTIMS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT, OR ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FOR OTHER REASONS. THE MAXIMUM STAY IS 21 DAYS, AND REFERRALS CAN BE MADE 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. 109 YOUTH SERVED.
  2. $456,538 spent. THE HEARTH TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPERVISED HOUSING FOR MALE, FEMALE AND GENDER NON-CONFORMING YOUTH AGES 18-21 FOR UP TO 18 MONTHS. DURING THEIR STAY IN THE PROGRAM, ALL OF A YOUTH'S LIVING EXPENSES ARE TAKEN CARE OF SO THEY CAN FOCUS ON ACCOMPLISHING GOALS THAT WILL ENSURE SUCCESS IN THEIR FUTURE. EACH YOUTH SETS GOALS SPECIFIC TO THEIR SITUATION TO TRANSITION FROM THE PROGRAM TO STABLE HOUSING, OBTAIN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND/OR COLLEGE DEGREE, RECEIVE NEEDED VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO GAIN AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT, DEVELOP PERMANENT CONNECTIONS WITH CARING ADULTS, AND IMPROVE THEIR SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING. DURING THEIR STAY IN THE PROGRAM, THEY GAIN LIFE SKILLS SUCH AS CONFLICT RESOLUTION, MONEY MANAGEMENT, MEAL PLANNING AND PREPARATION, GOAL SETTING, AND MORE. 18 YOUTH SERVED.
  3. $423,500 spent. SAFE HAVEN PROVIDES TRAUMA-INFORMED MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT, CASE MANAGEMENT, PEER SUPPORT SERVICES AND CONNECTION TO MAINSTREAM BENEFITS FOR YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR AT IMMINENT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES ON SITE AND TELEHEALTH CLINICAL SUPPORT FROM LICENSED THERAPISTS. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES A SAFE PLACE COORDINATOR TO RUN THE OUTREACH PROGRAM CONNECTING YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY TO YOUTH FOCUS' SERVICES.
  4. $590,784 spent. MY SISTER SUSAN'S HOUSE, HEARTH BEYOND
  5. (Expenses $ 590,784 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 66,082) MY SISTER SUSAN'S HOUSE, HEARTH BEYOND

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 May 1974.

    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.