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National Foster Youth Institute

EIN 46-0809227 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NFYI EMPOWERS CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH, THEIR FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES TO USE THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCES TO BRING ABOUT IMPORTANT POLICY IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM NATIONWIDE.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
15
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$159,862, executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 65% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. NFYI'S PROGRAMS RECRUIT AND TRAIN CURRENT/FORMER FOSTER YOUTH SO THAT 1ST-HAND EXPERIENCE CAN BE INCLUDED IN CHILD WELFARE POLICY DESIGN. IN FY25, 40 YOUNG ADULTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY PARTICIPATED IN A 10-MONTH TRAINING, CULMINATING IN A WEEK SPENT IN DC, WHERE THEY SHADOWED MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND SHARED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FEDERAL CHILD WELFARE POLICY. IN LOS ANGELES, 30 YOUNG ADULTS ENGAGED 45 OTHER FOSTER YOUTH AS WELL AS LOCAL OFFICIALS AROUND ISSUES LIKE MENTAL HEALTH AND HOUSING. BOTH OF OUR INTERNS HELPED DEVELOP A 3-YEAR POLICY AGENDA. ACROSS PROGRAMS, YOUNG ADULTS EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, MENTORSHIP, AND COMMUNITY.

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 June 2014.

    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.