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Directions for Youth & Families Inc

EIN 31-4407642 · Columbus, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DIRECTIONS FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES, INC. (DFYF) MISSION IS TO BUILD AND INSPIRE HOPE, HEALING, AND RESILIENCE FOR YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH COUNSELING AND EDUCATION.

Income
$8.0 million
Spending
$9.3 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
9.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
156
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$217,520, chief executive officer

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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 35 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 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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. $2.5 million spent. SCHOOL BASED SERVICES PROVIDES SCHOOL BASED MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INTERVENTION COUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. DURING FY25, WE EXPANDED THE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE SERVICE LEARNING WHICH COMBINES EDUCATION WITH COMMUNITY SERVICE. THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, WE PARTNER WITH ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN CENTRAL OHIO TO FACILITATE PROGRAMS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. STUDENTS IDENTIFY NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY, DO RESEARCH, AND CREATE PROJECTS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES MOST IMPORTANT TO THEM. DURING FY25, THERE WERE 1,079 STUDENT LEADERS WHICH PROVIDED OVER 26,000 HOURS OF SERVICE LEARNING.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O IN OCTOBER 2024, WE PROUDLY CELEBRATED THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE CRITTENTON COMMUNITY CENTER. IN THIS SHORT TIME, THE CENTER HAS BECOME AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE FOR THE EASTLAND COMMUNITY, A PLACE WHERE YOUTH FIND SAFETY, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND OPPORTUNITY EVERY DAY. SINCE OPENING OUR DOORS, OUR CRITTENTON AFTER-SCHOOL/SUMMER PROGRAM HAS TRIPLED THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE REACHED FROM PREVIOUS YEARS. WITH OUR EXPANDED CAPACITY, WE ARE NOW ABLE TO WELCOME MORE YOUTH THAN EVER BEFORE, WITHOUT THE CONCERN OF TURNING ANYONE AWAY.IN 2024, THE CENTER RECEIVED THE BUILDING COLUMBUS BEST COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD FROM COLUMBUS BUSINESS FIRST AND THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS' MERIT AWARD. THESE HONORS ARE MORE THAN ACKNOWLEDGMENTS OF DESIGN, THEY REFLECT THE LIFE-CHANGING WORK AND QUALITY OF CARE HAPPENING WITHIN OUR WALLS EACH DAY.
  2. $2.3 million spent. DFYF OPERATES TWO YOUTH CENTERS WHERE WE HOST OUR AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS. LOCATED IN HIGH-RISK, UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOODS, OUR CENTERS PROVIDE A SAFE, POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUTH AGES 8-18. HERE, YOUTH ARE ENCOURAGED TO THINK CREATIVELY, TRY NEW EXPERIENCES, DEVELOP TOOLS FOR SELF-EXPRESSION, AND GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ARTS AND SERVICE PROJECTS. DURING FY25, 322 YOUTH WERE SERVED AT THE TWO YOUTH CENTERS AND 14,700 MEALS WERE SERVED.
  3. $1.8 million spent. HOME-BASED OUTREACH SERVICES PROVIDES COMMUNITY-BASED INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY TREATMENT SERVICES TO YOUTH WITH BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS. CLINICAL SERVICES ARE TAILORED TO STRENGTHEN BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY FUNCTIONING.
  4. $1.1 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES HELPS PARENTS CREATE AND SUSTAIN HOME ENVIRONMENTS FROM WHICH THE CHILDREN CAN ENTER A SCHOOL READY TO LEARN. THESE SERVICES TARGET FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS OF AGE WITH SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR TEEN MOTHERS. DFYF PARTNERS WITH THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY TO PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THEIR HEAD START AND PRENATAL PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS FOCUS ON PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO LIVE IN HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING POVERTY. DFYF FAMILY SPECIALISTS WORK TO CONNECT FAMILIES WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES INCLUDING HOUSING STABILITY, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, CONTINUED EDUCATION, AND FINANCIAL SECURITY. TOGETHER WE ARE STRIVING TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SERVICES. DURING FY25, 552 FAMILIES WERE SERVED AND 1,916 DENTAL, VISION, HEARING SCREENINGS AND EXAMS WERE PROVIDED.OFFICE-BASED SERVICES PROGRAMS PROVIDE A RANGE OF COUNSELING AND PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH A FOCUS ON STRENGTHENING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND IMPROVING PERSONAL MENTAL HEALTH.

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 May 1925.

    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.