National Runaway Switchboard
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL RUNAWAY SAFELINE IS TO KEEP AMERICA'S YOUTH SAFE, HOUSED, AND OFF THE STREETS. WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION BY MAINTAINING 24/7 HOTLINES INCLUDING 1-800-RUNAWAY, ILLINOIS CCBYS INFORMATION AND REFERRAL LINE, AND THE IL TEEN SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE. TO CONNECT AND REFER YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES TO THE LOCAL SUPPORT THEY NEED, NRS MAINTAINS A NATIONWIDE RESOURCE DATABASE OF OVER 6,000 ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE VITAL SERVICES TO YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN CRISIS. IN ADDITION, NRS OPERATES THE HOME FREE PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GREYHOUND TO PROVIDE YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12-21 WHO HAVE RUN AWAY OR ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH A FREE BUS TICKET HOME OR TO A SAFE LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
- Income
- $2.9 million
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 1.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 78%
- Employees
- 49
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $125,846, chief administrative office
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 44% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 2514 of 14 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 September 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 (2)
- $1.6 million spent. For fifty years, the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) has worked to keep America's runaway, homeless and at-risk youth (ages 12-21) safe and off the streets, with the goal of one day ending youth homelessness. Through NRS' 24/7 crisis services, including a hotline (1-800-RUNAWAY) and digital services at 1800RUNAWAY.org (including live chat, text, email, and forum services), a range of unique programs and partnerships, and an extensive database of over 6,000 local resources for youth in need across the country,...Continued on Schedule O. Along with key educational and prevention materials, our trained staff and volunteers connect with over 125,000 youth and families annually, offering free, confidential, non-judgmental, and non-directive support to help diffuse crises and ensure the safety of the young people we serve.
- $230,041 spent. YOUTH NETWORK COUNCIL dba Illinois Collaboration on Youth
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 January 1973.
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.