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Freedom 4 Youth

EIN 27-4437945 · Santa Barbara, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FREEDOM 4 YOUTH'S (F4Y) MISSION IS TO UPLIFT AND EMPOWER YOUTH TO BUILD SAFE AND COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITIES. F4Y PARTNERS WITH UCSB, SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE, THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS AT-LARGE, TO PROVIDE BOTH THE INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILIY RE-ENTRY SUPPORT SERVICES AND CASE MANAGEMENT IN A COMMUNITY SETTING. YOUTH ARE SUPPORTED TO DEFINE THEIR OWN EDUCATION AND CAREER PATHWAY AND DEVELOP AN INDIVIDUAL ACTION PLAN WITH MEASURABLE GOALS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING AND A DRUG-FREE LIFESTYLE.

Income
$823,318
Spending
$805,216
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
-0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
8
Volunteers
65
Highest pay
$122,361, former 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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    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

    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 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 (1)
  1. $540,265 spent. F4Y'S BLUEPRINTS 4 FREEDOM (PROGRAMS) AND CASE MANAGEMENT ARE INDIVIDUALIZED BASED ON A YOUTH'S SELF-IDENTIFIED OR OUTSIDE AGENCY DETERMINED NEEDS, AND REVOLVE AROUND LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION, CAREERS, AND OTHER AID. YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO TUTORING, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENTS, PUBLIC SPEAKING AND PROFESSIONALISM WORKSHOPS, HOUSING AND FOOD ASSISTANCE, OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT OTHERS IN NEED AND MUCH MORE.

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? 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 September 2011.

    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.