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Aspire Youth & Family Inc

EIN 30-0466165 · Balsam, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our mission at Aspire Youth & Family is to assist young people in overcoming behavioral, emotional, or substance abuse obstacles, so they may realize their full potential.We provide counseling, life skills development, and education through experience, in a supportive environment that emphasizes the strengths of each individual.We also help our clients and their families strengthen their relationships through family counseling, family events, and parent support groups. Our staff works together as a team with commitment, honesty, and patience to serve as good partners for our clients.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
43
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$128,291, executive dir.

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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (5)
  1. $941,178 spent. Kids at Work is an interpersonal skills development program based around the culinary arts. Youth are a part of the program for 16 weeks and meet for three hours once a week for instruction. The curriculum consists of 24 hands-on lessons that are designed to meet the clients unique learning styles and help them apply the skills in a work environment. Youth ages 15-17 also receive four additional weeks of training to become certified in ServSafe food safety, making them more marketable to employers.
  2. $264,392 spent. Vocational Directions is a restitution/community service program designed to provide juveniles with accountability for their previous actions while also learning about different careers through their exposure at various service sites in the local community. Upon intake, youth are given a vocational assessment that guides their placement site. The youth learn from the individuals who work in those locations while contrinuting to the site and/or those it serves.
  3. $51,041 spent. The Forward Focus program provides youth with a vocational assessment to determine potential career paths and then matches youth with work sites in the community to gain exposure and experience in those fields. Staff work with the youth to explore the educational need, training options, and expected income for their top career choices. The youth also debrief their work experiences with peers and staff for deeper self-reflection and learning from others.
  4. $48,925 spent. Connection has opened up new vocational options for the upcoming generation that are not age-restricted. The Connection program teaches youth entrepreneurial and vocational skills through a music production job training program. Learning is project-based and designed to prepare youth for employment, higher education, and/or business ownership. Youth with a wide range of abilities and work preferences will find a role that fits them best, from the artistically-inclined to the technically-minded.
  5. $13,333 spent. Fee for Service Programming (Demonstrations and summer camp experiences in the Culinary Arts, Music/Audio Production, and Cinematography)

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 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 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 March 2009.

    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.