Teen Hype
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Teen H.Y.P.E. (Helping Youth by Providing Education), empowers urban youth to thrive while strengthening their communities.
- Income
- $3.9 million
- Spending
- $3.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 90%
- Employees
- 31
- Volunteers
- 41
- Highest pay
- $93,453, 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
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 73% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 88% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 19 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 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)
- $978,472 spent. Mental Health and Substance Misuse Prevention Services: Through HYPE services teens and young adults work in partnership with adults to reduce the stigma associated with mental health in their community. They build pathways to healing and mental health services. Additionally, Teen HYPE is thrilled to be activating Healing Centered Engagement (HCE) in our agency, and across Detroits youth serving ecosystem. HCE is a strength- based approach that advances a holistic view of healing and recenters culture and identity as central features in well-being. In 2024 162 youth serving adults received training to support mental health and wellness, and over 2,400 youth and adults were exposed to positive mental health messages via Teen HYPEs annual play and social media placements.
- $257,643 spent. Holistic Youth Development: Youth are infused with leadership development, educational enrichment and the power of learning through service. We use theatre as a gateway to reach, educate and unlock the creative power of youth. Through high quality programs and supportive allies, we aim to heal and develop a generation of youth achieving optimal health. In 2024 47 youth were engaged as peer educators, 35 of which completed at least 250 hours of programming. Over 800 middle and high school students attended the Teen HYPE annual play that is written, produced and performed by the peer education cohort.
- $2.1 million spent. Sexual Risk/Risk Avoidance Education: Teen HYPE conducts evidence based interventions with hundreds of youth annually. Participants explore their goals for the future, healthy relationships, and the role of intimacy in their lives. Youth are instilled with the knowledge, and skills to make informed decisions with a focus on respect for themselves and their future partners. In 2024 over 1,500 youth completed the multi-session interventions Love Notes and REAL Essentials .
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
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 December 2024.
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 April 2009.
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.