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Briarpatch Youth Services Inc

EIN 39-1391737 · Fitchburg, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDES SERVICES DEDICATED TO IMPROVING AND STRENGTHENING THE LIVES OF YOUTH, THEIR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$4.2 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 74%
Employees
154
Volunteers
49
Highest pay
$139,675, exec 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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 (9)
  1. $565,634 spent. INTENSIVE SUPERVISION PROGRAM:PROVIDES COURT-INVOLVED YOUTH THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMAIN IN THEIR COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF BEING PLACED OUTSIDE THEIR HOME AND AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILY. YOUTH RECEIVE COUNSELING AND MENTORING AND THEIR PARENTS ALSO RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM PROGRAM STAFF. YOUTH RECEIVE 20-25 HOURS OF SERVICE PER MONTH WHICH INCLUDES SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND CURFEW MONITORING. OVER 90% OF YOUTH DO NOT COMMIT FURTHER LAW VIOLATIONS WHILE RECEIVING PROGRAM SERVICES.
  2. $441,173 spent. YOUTH RESTITUTION PROGRAM:THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES COURT-INVOLVED YOUTH WITH SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE IN COMPLETING THEIR COURT-ORDERED COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AND RESTITUTION PAYMENTS. PROGRAM STAFF DEVELOPS AND SUPERVISES COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND ALSO HELPS YOUTH DEVELOP A PLAN FOR MAKING RESTITUTION PAYMENTS. OVER 90% OF YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM SUCCESSFULY COMPLETE THEIR COURT-ORDERED OBLIGATIONS.
  3. $1.1 million spent. BRIARPATCH RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH PROGRAM:BRIARPATCH STAFF PROVIDE RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH A WIDE RANGE OF ASSISTANCE INCLUDING: INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND FAMILY COUNSELING; ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT; BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE; A 24 HOUR HELP-LINE; AND TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR YOUTH.
  4. $237,868 spent. RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM
  5. $75,360 spent. PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
  6. $197,460 spent. YOUTH JOB CENTER
  7. $197,980 spent. STREET OUTREACH PROGRAM
  8. $320,179 spent. YHDP PROGRAM
  9. $9,204 spent. SAMHSA PROGRAM

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 October 13, 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 September 2003.

    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 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.