Cincinnati Youth Collaborative
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Cincinnati Youth Collaborative ("CYC") empowers young people to overcome barriers and excel in education, career, and life.
- Income
- $4.0 million
- Spending
- $4.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 8.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 39%
- Employees
- 80
- Volunteers
- 1,200
- Highest pay
- $169,374, ceo president
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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2523 of 23 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (1)
- $3.2 million spent. During the 20242025 academic year, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative (CYC) helped thousands of young people move closer to brighter futures:CYC served 5,000+ students across four Cincinnati school districts94% of CYC seniors graduated on time, outperforming the regional average by more than 10%100+ business and community partners invested time, expertise, and resourcesOver 1,200 volunteers served CYC and our students in numerous waysThrough CYCs R.E.A.C.H. outcomes measurement model, CYC students showed meaningful growth in confidence, clarity and connection:95.5% better understand who they are and how to make good choices91.6% feel more sure of themselves and their skills95.5% have set at least one personal goal87.4% gained a new caring adult in their life96.4% feel more hopeful for their futurePROGRAMS CYC FACILITATED IN 2024-25 TO ENSURE STUDENT SUCCESSCollege Readiness and SuccessCYC provides individualized guidance to help students explore post-secondary options and plan for future success. CYC programs supply support and mentoring to ensure graduation and a successful post-secondary transition.The GEAR UP program operated in partnership with Mount Healthy City School District and North College Hill City School District to prepare students for post-secondary education and college success. Program advisors provided:ACT/SAT preparationFAFSA completion and financial aid guidanceCollege application and scholarship supportCareer exploration and planning 12-month post-graduation follow-up servicesMentoringCYCs mentoring programs pair students with trusted adults who encourage academic engagement, build confidence, and open doors to future opportunities. The CYC Mentoring Program is delivered through several exceptionally impactful initiatives.Corporate Mentoring connects students with local professionals across diverse career fields. Highlights include:Monthly job site visits and workplace exposure opportunitiesPersonal mentoring from corporate experts who introduce students to their career fieldsIn-school presentations by business leaders that focus on positive role modeling and academic improvement Career pathway development that enables students to craft a solid game plan for life after high school During 20242025, signature programs like PNC Mentors and P&G Business Leaders of Tomorrow provided financial literacy education, career skills, and job shadowing experiences.Additional mentoring programs include:UC Med Mentors, pairing University of Cincinnati medical students with youth to promote literacy and expose them to healthcare careersGirls Clubs, creating a safe, empowering space for girls in grades 26 to build confidence, relationships, and social-emotional skillsSaturday Hoops, offering group mentoring through sports, arts, reading, and yoga nearly every weekend across multiple neighborhood locationsIn FY25, CYC also expanded its leadership role by guiding We Mentor Cincy, aligning local organizations to strengthen mentoring quality and outcomes across Greater Cincinnati.Resource CoordinationCYC Resource Coordinators support students and families at James N. Gamble Montessori High School and Woodward Career Technical High School by connecting them to critical supports, including:Tutoring, after-school programs, and academic enrichmentCollege and career fairs, field trips, and workshopsAccess to physical and mental health services in a welcoming environmentWork ReadinessFor more than 40 years, CYCs Jobs for Cincinnati Graduates (JCG) has helped students overcome barriers, stay in school, and transition successfully into post-secondary education or the workforce.Through classroom instruction, project-based learning, and real-world work experiences, students build 37 core competencies across:Career developmentJob attainment and retentionLeadership and self-developmentPersonal and life skillsWorkplace readinessAligned with Jobs for Ohios Graduates (JOG) and Jobs for Americas Graduates (JAG), JCG combines a credited classroom experience with a student-led Career Association focused on leadership, civic engagement, and service.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1988.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.