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Passes our checks

Yaay Me

EIN 26-4793282 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND JOB TRAINING TO YOUTH, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THOSE WHO SERVE THEM. WE WILL ACHIEVE THIS THROUGH OUR PRINCIPLES (SELF & COMMUNITY) SELF-EDUCATION, CHARACTER EDUCATION, AND CAREER EXPLORATION.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
-0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 51%
Employees
34
Highest pay
$121,367, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (3)
  1. $372,965 spent. CREDIBLE MENTORS PROGRAM PROVIDES YOUNG ADULTS WITH SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, JOB READINESS TRAINING, AND CAREER EXPLORATION.
  2. $478,491 spent. DYRS PROGRAM PROVIDES INNER CITY YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS, AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, JOB READINESS TRAINING, AND CAREER EXPLORATION.
  3. $249,235 spent. ONESTEP PROGRAM IS A CONTINUING INITIATIVE THAT EMPOWERS JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS IN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, MARYLAND THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE REENTRY MENTORSHIP. UTILIZING A RESTORATIVE JUSTICE APPROACH, THE PROGRAM OFFERS TRADITIONAL, GROUP, AND VIRTUAL MENTORING TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS AS THEY TRANSITION BACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES. BY PROVIDING PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE AND RESOURCE NAVIGATION, ONESTEP HELPS PARTICIPANTS OVERCOME BARRIERS TO SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO BROADER COMMUNITY WELL-BEING. FUNDING WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL, TRAINING, AND OPERATIONAL COSTS TO SUSTAIN AND EXPAND PROGRAM IMPACT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on August 15, 2017.

    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 April 2018.

    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.