Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Focus on Youth Inc

EIN 31-1346995 · West Chester, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IMPROVE LIVES BY PROVIDING TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE FOSTER CARE, ADOPTION, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES THAT PROMOTE PERMANENCY, SAFETY, AND WELL-BEING FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$4.8 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
49
Volunteers
64
Highest pay
$126,711, executive director

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 (4)
  1. $3.1 million spent. FOSTER CARE OUR FOSTER CARE PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN OF ALL FAMILIES TO PROVIDE SAFE, STABLE, NURTURING HOMES FOR CHILDREN IN NEED. OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE YOUTH AND FAMILIES WHOM WE SERVE INCLUDES FOSTER CARE, ADOPTION, RESPITE CARE, AND DEFER DETAINMENT OF YOUTH AT RISK OF ENTRY INTO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. WE STRIVE TO ENSURE EACH CHILD AND FAMILY RECEIVED INDIVIDUALIZED CARE DEPENDING ON THEIR NEEDS THAT WILL LEAD TO THE BEST OUTCOMES POSSIBLE. OVER THIS FISCAL YEAR WE HAVE:1. PLACED 157 YOUTH IN FOCUS ON YOUTH FOSTER HOMES.2. 77% OF ALL DISCHARGES FROM THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM WERE POSITIVE, WHICH INCLUDES ADOPTION, REUNIFICATION, INDEPENDENT LIVING, OR PLACEMENT WITH KINSHIP.3. FINALIZED 22 ADOPTIONS.4. HAD UNDER 5% UNPLANNED PLACEMENT DISRUPTIONS.
  2. $286,920 spent. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM PROVIDES EXTENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO CHILDREN AGES 3-18 AND THEIR FAMILIES, BOTH WITHIN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY. WE SPECIALIZE IN TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE AND AN EVIDENCE-BASED PLAY THERAPY APPROACH TO TREATMENT THAT IS DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE TO ADDRESS THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE EXPERTISE IN WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, ADOPTED, KINSHIP CARE, OR INVOLVED IN CHILDREN'S SERVICES. OVER THIS FISCAL YEAR, 1. WE HAVE SERVED 170 CHILDREN IN OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM.2. EXPANDED THE PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR TWO AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, IMPACTING 882 YOUTH THROUGH THE CONNECT PROJECT. 3. DISTRIBUTED NEARLY 7,000 REGULATION KITS, THAT AID CAREGIVERS WITH TOOLS TO ENCOURAGE MENTAL HEALTH FOCUS IN HOME.
  3. $468,940 spent. WENDY'S WONDERFUL KIDS THROUGH THE WENDY'S WONDERFUL KIDS PROGRAM, OUR RECRUITERS ARE DEDICATED TO SERVICING THE LONGEST-WAITING CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, INCLUDING TEENAGERS, CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND SIBLING GROUPS. EACH YOUTH WITHIN THE PROGRAM HAS THEIR OWN DEDICATED RECRUITER WHO UTILIZES AN EVIDENCE-BASED, CHILD-FOCUSED MODEL TO FIND THE RIGHT FAMILY FOR EACH CHILD. OVER THIS FISCAL YEAR WE HAVE CELEBRATED 16 ADOPTIONS OF YOUTH IN THE WENDYS WONDERFUL KIDS PROGRAM; ADOPTIVELY MATCHED 12 YOUTH WITH A FAMILY TO BEGIN THE ADOPTION PROCESS; EXPANDED SERVICES TO 8 OHIO COUNTY AGENCIES INVOLVED WITH FOCUS ON YOUTH AND WENDYS WONDERFUL KIDS
  4. $202,108 spent. BRIDGES WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO YOUNG ADULTS WHO EMANCIPATE FROM FOSTER CARE ON OR AFTER THEIR 18TH BIRTHDAY, BUT ARE NOT YET 21 THROUGH BRIDGES, AN OHIO PROGRAM THAT EXTENDS HOUSING AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE YOUNG ADULTS. WE ASSIST THEM AS THEY EITHER CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION OR GAIN AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT. BRIDGES FOCUSES ON BUILDING THESE YOUNG ADULTS' SKILLS FOR INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. OVER THIS FISCAL YEAR:1. WE HAVE INCREASED THE NUMBER YOUNG ADULTS SUPPORTED THROUGH BRIDGES BY 20% COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1992.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.