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Youthroots

EIN 27-1325457 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

YOUTHROOTS EMPOWERS YOUNG PEOPLE PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES TO BECOME CHANGEMAKERS THROUGH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES IN PHILANTHROPY, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP. WE EQUIP YOUTH WITH THE TOOLS, CONFIDENCE, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO IDENTIFY COMMUNITY NEEDS, RAISE AND DISTRIBUTE FUNDS, COLLECT AND ANALYZE YOUTH-LED DATA, AND ADVOCATE FOR EQUITABLE SYSTEMS CHANGE. OUR PROGRAMS CULTIVATE LEADERSHIP, AMPLIFY YOUTH VOICE, AND FOSTER A LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL IMPACT

Income
$537,934
Spending
$675,781
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
11
Highest pay
$134,269, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 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 June 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 (3)
  1. $213,070 spent. COMMUNITY YOUTHBOARDS: IN YOUTHROOTS' COMMUNITY YOUTHBOARDS PROGRAM, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FORM LOCAL YOUTHBOARDS, FUNCTIONING AS MINIATURE FOUNDATIONS. OVER 19 SESSIONS, THEY ASSESS COMMUNITY NEEDS, FUNDRAISE, AND ALLOCATE GRANTS TO LOCAL NONPROFITS. THROUGH RESEARCH, DIALOGUES, AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS, PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP LEADERSHIP, COLLABORATION, AND DECISION-MAKING SKILLS, EMPOWERED TO CATALYZE POSITIVE CHANGE. FACILITATED BY STUDENT LEADERSHIP, THE PROGRAM FOSTERS VIBRANT DISCUSSIONS AND GENUINE COLLABORATION, INSPIRING MEANINGFUL TRANSFORMATION.
  2. $192,282 spent. YOUTHSCAN PROJECT: THE YOUTHSCAN PROJECT IS A STATEWIDE INITIATIVE DEDICATED TO AMPLIFYING YOUTH VOICES IN DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES. IT SERVES AS A PLATFORM TO ELEVATE YOUTH PERSPECTIVES ON COMMUNITY ISSUES, SUPPORT SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES IN ADDRESSING LOCAL YOUTH NEEDS, IDENTIFY EMERGING CONCERNS IN REAL TIME, AND HIGHLIGHT DEMOGRAPHIC AND LOCATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN ISSUE EXPERIENCES. OPEN TO ALL ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, CLASSROOMS, AND COMMUNITIES, THE PROJECT EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF CENTERING YOUTH VOICES ON YOUTH ISSUES FOR INCLUSIVE AND IMPACTFUL OUTCOMES.
  3. $114,330 spent. GIV FELLOWSHIP: PHILANTHROPY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ADULTS FROM UNDERSERVED & UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES, THAT OFFERS VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO EXPLORE AND PURSUE CAREERS IN THE PHILANTHROPIC AND NONPROFIT SECTORS. PARTICIPANTS DISCOVER THEIR POTENTIAL WHILE ENHANCING THE SECTOR'S ABILITY TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS BY INTEGRATING YOUTH VOICES AND EXPERTISE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 November 6, 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 June 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 August 2010.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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