The Young Center for Immigrant Childrens Rights
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION PROTECTS AND ADVANCES THE RIGHTS AND BEST INTERESTS OF IMMIGRANT CHILDREN ACCORDING TO THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AND STATE AND FEDERAL LAW. THE ORGANIZATION IS A CHAMPION FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF CHILDREN WHO ARRIVE IN THE UNITED STATES ON THEIR OWN, FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FROM THEIR PARENTS UPON ARRIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES. WE SERVE AS TRUSTED ALLIES FOR THESE CHILDREN WHILE THEY ARE IN DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS, ADVOCATING FOR THEIR BEST INTERESTS, AND STANDING FOR THE CREATION OF A DEDICATED CHILDREN'S IMMIGRANT JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT ENSURES THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF EVERY CHILD. THE ORGANIZATION'S GOAL IS TO CHANGE THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM SO THAT CHILDREN IN IMMIGRATION PROCEEDINGS ARE RECOGNIZED AS CHILDREN, AND THE BEST INTERESTS ARE MADE A PART OF THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS.
- Income
- $21.0 million
- Spending
- $19.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 6.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 60%
- Employees
- 145
- Volunteers
- 565
- Highest pay
- $263,386, executive dir.
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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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 (4)
- $12.7 million spent. The Organization is appointed under federal law as the independent Child Advocate by the Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The role of the Child Advocate is to accompany unaccompanied and separated immigrant children and advocate for their best interests as determined by their wishes, their safety, and their rights to family, liberty, development, and identity. The Organization is appointed as Child Advocate to the most vulnerable children in federal custody and removal cases, including infants and toddlers, children with physical or mental health needs, children with disabilities, pregnant and parenting teens, children at risk of turning 18 while in custody, children at risk of trafficking, and children eligible for protection under immigration law. Child Advocates submit best interests determinations (BIDs) to federal agencies, state courts, and other stakeholders.
- $1.0 million spent. Policy Advocacy-The Organizations policy goal is to change the immigration system so that children in immigration proceedings are recognized as children, and each childs wishes and best interests are considered in every decision. The Organization conducts policy advocacy at the national level with Congress and federal agencies - to incorporate the best interests of the child standard into practice, policy and immigration law. Areas of focus include childrens right to be with family; childrens safety in and release from government custody; childrens access to fair proceedings and to permanency through immigration benefits; and the centering of childrens voices in public narratives.
- $634,782 spent. Technical Assistance- The Organizations Technical Assistance Program advances the rights and best interests of immigrant children involved in child welfare and other state court systems by offering intersectional expertise and critical resources to childrens advocates and services providers. The Organization does this through case consultations on issues ranging from kinship placement to international family reunifications; training for child welfare stakeholders; and through legal partnerships that include amicus curiae briefs, identifying expert witnesses, and identifying representation for children and families.
- $216,373 spent. The Litigation Program engages in impact litigation to advance systemic change through policies that promote the safety, well-being, and best interests of immigrant children. We litigate cases, file amicus briefs, and participate in cases through declarations or as experts, to ensure that courts consider the experiences and perspectives of immigrant children in decisions that directly affect them.
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 January 2014.
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.