In Your Hands Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THIS CORPORATION IS TO FURTHER THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH A CERTIFIED CURRICULUM.
- Income
- $2.8 million
- Spending
- $2.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 59%
- Reserves
- 10.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 99%
- Employees
- 17
- Highest pay
- $154,800, secretary
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1559% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 251 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 August 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)
- $1.6 million spent. In Your Hands DBA Palo Alto Preparatory School is a unique, private, college prep high school designed to cultivate student success. Small class sizes, experiential education, and emotional/physical safety, shape the school. As needed, the necessary resources to support the LD student community are incorporated into the curriculum to foster the growth of well-rounded individuals. With a 100% high school graduation rate, reports have shown that Palo Alto Preparatory has achieved a 93% college graduation rate once students graduate from Palo Alto Prep. Our current seniors, Class of 2024, are attending the following colleges: Mills College, Oregon State University, San Francisco State, University of Washington , Cal State Sonoma, University of Denver, University of Colorado Boulder Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and St Marys College, as well as many local community colleges. This past year we received the highest certification from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Our college prep academics continue to provide an environment for not only high achievers but also students with learning differences in an environment where all students are provided the teaching and supports for their growth and success.Our introduction to aviation program continues to be a huge success as we now have over a dozen licensed pilots and instructors. Some of our students have also found careers in the bay area building aircraft for use in youth in aviation at our local airport. With the shortage of airport controllers and other opportunities in the aviation industry, our program continues to be a very successful course incorporating our students science, physics, and math curriculam.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.