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Youth Conservation Corps

EIN 36-3993578 · Waukegan, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO GUIDE AND MENTOR YOUNG ADULTS USING EDUCATION, JOB SKILLS TRAINING, LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE TO HELP THEM BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 74%
Employees
21
Volunteers
72
Highest pay
$139,974, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (3)
  1. $1.3 million spent. DOL/YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM: PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY TO YOUTH AGES 16-24 WITH A FIVE-DAY A WEEK, SIX-MONTH EDUCATION AND CAREER TRAINING PROGRAM. MEMBERS WORK TOWARD EARNING THEIR GED OR HSD, OSHA 10 SAFETY CERTIFICATION, AND HBI PACT CONSTRUCTION OR IC-3 IT CERTIFICATION. MEMBERS LEARN LIFE SKILLS AND CAREER READINESS SKILLS, BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PROVIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE.
  2. $88,300 spent. SUMMER PROGRAM: PROVIDES EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TO LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS INTERESTED IN PRESERVING LAKE COUNTY'S WETLANDS, PRAIRIES, AND WOODLANDS. THE STUDENTS ALSO EARN EDUCATION AWARDS.
  3. $144,259 spent. GRADUATE PROGRAM: PROVIDES YOUNG ADULTS WHO HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA WITH 4-6 MONTHS OF ADVANCED CAREER TRAINING IN SPECIFIC CONSTRUCTION TRADES OR HIGH-WAGE, HIGH-DEMAND JOBS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 May 1995.

    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 November 4, 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.