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Access Inc

EIN 26-2190029 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ACCESS YOUTH'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER VULNERABLE YOUTH WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO STAY IN SCHOOL, GRADUATE ON TIME AND AVOID THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, THROUGH MEDIATION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
12.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
20
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$236,002, executive director

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

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 110% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% 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

    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 (3)
  1. $953,993 spent. TRUANCY PREVENTION: AYI'S TRUANCY PREVENTION PROGRAM, INITIATED IN 2013 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS (DCPS), INCREASES IN-SEAT STUDENT ATTENDANCE RATES, REDUCES TRUANCY AND ENHANCES STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE. AYI'S PROGRAM MANAGERS WORK FULL-TIME IN ITS PARTNER SCHOOLS WITH STUDENTS AT RISK OF TRUANCY, TO HELP THEM IDENTIFY THEIR BARRIERS TO ATTENDANCE AND DEVELOP A PLAN FOR IMPROVEMENT. ONCE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM, STUDENTS RECEIVE ONGOING SUPPORT FROM AYI'S FULL-TIME, ON-SITE PROGRAM MANAGERS WHO IMPLEMENT A FOUR-PRONGED PROGRAM MODEL: RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING, OPPORTUNITIES & INCENTIVES, PLANNING & GOAL SETTING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THE PROGRAM GENERATES MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, IN-SEAT ATTENDANCE, AND PROMOTION TO THE NEXT GRADE LEVEL.
  2. $561,445 spent. SUSPENSION PREVENTION (RESTORATIVE JUSTICE): ACCESS YOUTH'S RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM, INITIATED IN 2012, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS (DCPS), PROVIDES MEDIATION AND RESTORATIVE INTERVENTIONS AS ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSION FOR STUDENTS STRUGGLING WITH INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT AND OTHER BEHAVIORAL CONCERNS. AYI'S PROGRAM MANAGERS WORK FULL-TIME IN ITS PARTNER SCHOOLS TO CONDUCT MEDIATION SESSIONS WITH STUDENTS, IDENTIFY THEIR CONCERNS, AND DEVELOP A PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD CONSTRUCTIVELY. STUDENTS RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM AYI'S FULL-TIME, ON-SITE PROGRAM MANAGERS WHO IMPLEMENT ITS FOUR-PRONGED PROGRAM MODEL. THE PROGRAM PREVENTS UNNECESSARY SUSPENSIONS, GENERATES IMPROVED PRO-SOCIAL BEHAVIOR, AND ENABLES STUDENTS TO STAY ENGAGED IN SCHOOL.
  3. $113,267 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: ACCESS YOUTH OFFERS ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS AS A COMPLEMENT TO ITS CORE PROGRAMMING (ALL OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES). THIS INCLUDES OUR ROADMAP LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMMING, WHICH DELIVERS WEEKLY SESSIONS FOCUSED ON BUILDING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND KEY SKILLS STUDENTS NEED TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND BEYOND. IN ADDITION, M.A.D.E. (MY ATTITUDE DETERMINES EVERYTHING) IS AYI'S HIGHLY LAUDED PROGRAM FOR YOUNG FEMALE STUDENTS STRUGGLING WITH BEHAVIOR ISSUES. M.A.D.E. CONSISTS OF WEEKLY SESSIONS FOR STUDENTS FOCUSED ON BUILDING A SENSE OF SISTERHOOD, THROUGH A TRAUMA-INFORMED LENS, THAT EMPOWERS THEM TO BECOME LEADERS IN THEIR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY. HUNDREDS OF THE STUDENTS IN AYI'S TRUANCY PREVENTION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN SCHOOLS PROGRAMS PARTICIPATE IN THESE SERVICES EACH YEAR.

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 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 December 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 June 2009.

    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.