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True Colors United Inc

EIN 45-2489069 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceFair60 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported a significant diversion of its assets during the year.
  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TRUE COLORS UNITED IMPLEMENTS INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO YOUTH HOMELESSNESS THAT FOCUS ON THE UNIQUE EXPERIENCES OF LGBTQ YOUNG PEOPLE.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
31
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$158,356, chief operating officer

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

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 96% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (4)
  1. $1.6 million spent. ADVOCACY: TRUE COLORS UNITED WORKS IN WASHINGTON D.C. AND STATE CAPITOLS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO GIVE LGBTQ YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS A VOICE IN GOVERNMENT AND TO ENSURE STRONG PUBLIC POLICY IS IN PLACE SO THAT VITAL SOCIAL SERVICES ARE PROPERLY FUNDED AND LGBTQ+ AND BIPOC YOUTH ARE PROTECTED. PROJECTS INCLUDE THE ADMINISTRATIVE PUBLIC POLICY PROJECT, LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC POLICY PROJECT, AND THE STATE INDEX ON YOUTH HOMELESSNESS. TRUE COLORS UNITED ALSO WORKS TO INSPIRE, ENGAGE, AND EMPOWER THE PUBLIC TO GET INVOLVED IN ENDING HOMELESSNESS AMONG LGBTQ+ AND BIPOC YOUTH AND CREATE A WORLD IN WHICH THEY CAN BE THEIR TRUE SELVES. PROJECTS INCLUDE #TRUECOLORSDAY AND THE SAFE HOME CAMPAIGN WITH THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE.
  2. $1.2 million spent. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: TRUE COLORS UNITED PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITIES ON BUILDING SYSTEM-LEVEL RESPONSES TO YOUTH HOMELESSNESS THAT PROVIDE MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEAD AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DEPARTMENT WORKS WITH COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED HUD'S YOUTH HOMELESSNESS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FUNDING TO SUPPORT THEM IN DEVELOPING A STRONG ACTION PLAN FOR YOUTH COLLABORATION ALONGSIDE FEDERAL PROJECT FUNDING FOR YOUTH SERVICES WHILE BUILDING THEIR COMPETENCIES IN LGBTQ+ AND RACIAL EQUITY.
  3. $593,087 spent. TRAINING AND EDUCATION: TRUE COLORS UNITED WORKS WITH COMMUNITIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, SUCH AS SHELTERS, TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAMS, AND OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS AGENCIES, TO ENSURE LGBTQ+ AND BIPOC YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS HAVE ACCESS TO THE INCLUSIVE AND AFFIRMING SERVICES THEY NEED. TRUE COLORS UNITED DEVELOPS RESOURCES TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO SERVICE PROVIDERS ABOUT LGBTQ+ IDENTITY, DISCRIMINATION, RACIAL EQUITY, YOUTH COLLABORATION, AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT. THESE RESOURCES INCLUDE THE EQUITY HUB, ONLINE LEARNING COMMUNITY, DIGITAL TOOLKITS, VIDEO TRAININGS, AND OTHER SAFE SPACE TOOLS.
  4. $35,606 spent. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, INTERNATIONAL, & GENERAL 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 July 2012.

    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.