Ferguson Youth Initiative
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO SERVE THE YOUTH OF THE FERGUSON COMMUNITY BY ENCOURAGING THEM AND ENGAGING THEM AS ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, DEVELOPING PROGRAMS AS NEEDED, AND FURTHER COMMUNICATING AND PARTNERING WITH EXISTING COMMUNITY YOUTH PROGRAMS.
- Income
- $93,794
- Spending
- $118,072
- Reserves
- -0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Highest pay
- $75,536, executive di
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 0 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 992% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 26% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- $12,579 spent. SLAM: SLAM OFFERS YOUNG PEOPLE INVITING AND POSITIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS THROUGH HEALTHY, CREATIVE EPRESSION AND RECREATION ON A MONTHLY BASIS. YOUNG PEOPLE GATHER TO WITNESS PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS IN ACTION. GUESTS ARE ALSO ABLE TO LEARN TECHNIQUES & TRY THEIR HAND IN IT. BASICALLY, SLAM IS AN OPEN MIC NIGHT JUST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ONCE EVERY MONTH, WE GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE THE MIC, THE STAGE AND/OR WHATEVER PLATFORM NEEDED. WE WELCOME ART IN ALL FORMS: PAINTING, SINGING KARAOKE, SINGING / RAPPING ORIGINAL MUSIC, POETRY, COOKING DEMOS AND MORE
- $15,664 spent. FERGUSON YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD: FERGUSON YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS PROVIDE INSIGHT AND FEEDBACK ON ISSUES RELATING TO YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY. THEY ARE THE OFFICIAL YOUTH VOICE OF FYI AND HELP DETERMINE HOW WE USE OUR ENERGIES AND RESOURCES TO BENEFIT THE PUBLIC. FYAB MEMBERS RECEIVE PERKS, INCLUDING FREE ADMISSION TO ALL FYI EVENTS, DISCOUNTS ON FYI APPAREL, AND SPECIAL ACCESS TO ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES. THEY ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR THE GAIL BABCOCK SCHOLARSHIP IN THEIR SENIOR YEAR.
- $15,446 spent. DROP IN: THE DROP-IN PROVIDES AN AFTER-SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE AT THE FYI BACKBAY FOR FREE-STANDING AND STRUCTURED WORKSHOPS. YOUTH HAVE ACCESS TO ART MATERIALS AND A SPACE IN WHICH TO WORK; ACCESS TO A BANK OF COMPUTERS; XBOX, WII AND PLAYSTATION GAMES; FOOSBALL, AIR-HOCKEY AND OTHER FREE-STANDING GAME TABLES; A LENDING LIBRARY; AND ACCESS TO TUTORS AS NEEDED. DROP-IN OCCURS AT ST. PETER'S CHURCH ON THURSDAYS AND THE FYI BACKBAY ON FRIDAYS FOR TEENS IN GRADES 8-12. ST. PETER'S OFFERS YOUTH AN OPEN GYM ON THURSDAYS. AT THE FYI BACKBAY, YOUTH HAVE ACCESS TO COMPUTERS, TUTORS AND ART MATERIALS IN FREE?STANDING AND STRUCTURED CREATIVE ACTIVITIES. THERE ARE FEW VENUES IN FERGUSON WHERE TEENS MIGHT GATHER TO ENGAGE IN THE ARTS, BUILD SELF-EFFICACY AND DEVELOP POSITIVE SUPPORT SYSTEMS. ACCORDING TO RESEARCH, YOUTH THAT DO NOT HAVE POSITIVE EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN OFTEN DRIFT TOWARD NEGATIVE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR THEM. THE DROP-IN PROVIDES A SAFE SPACE WITH ADULT SUPPORT WHERE THE YOUTH ARE HEARD, RESPECT.
- $19,883 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS: NEXT STEPS: NEXT STEPS MENTORS TEENS (AGES 15 TO 19) AND PROVIDES THEM WITH SKILLS IN CAREER READINESS, JOB DISCOVERY, FINANCING THEIR FUTURE, AND ENTRY INTO A POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTION. TEENS LEARN HOW TO BUILD A RESUME, BUDGET THEIR SAVINGS, RECEIVE A CREDENTIAL AND POSSIBLY BECOME EMPLOYED. WORKSHOP TOPICS INCLUDE STRESS & TIME MANAGEMENT STUDY SKILLS GOAL SETTING RESUME BUILDING INTERVIEWING SKILLS FINANCIAL LITERACY CURRENTLY, NEXT STEPS PARTNERS WITH AREA EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE YOUTH ACCESS TO PERMANENT JOBS. CURRENT PARTNERS INCLUDE SSM HEALTH, SHOE CARNIVAL, AND HY-C. THE FERGUSON COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM (FCSP) IS A PARTNERSHIP OF THE FERGUSON YOUTH INITIATIVE (FYI), ADOLESCENT RESOURCE CENTER (ARC), A PROGRAM OF QUEEN OF PEACE CENTER, PROVIDENT COUNSELING, AND THE CITY OF FERGUSON. FCSP WORKS COOPERATIVELY WITH THE FERGUSON MUNICIPAL COURT TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO PERFORM MENTOR-GUIDED SERVICE WORK IN LIEU OF INCARCERATION OR FINES FOR MISDEMEANORS; TO RECEIVE, THROUGH ITS PARTNERS, ANY PSYCHOLOGICAL, SUBSTANCE USE, INCLUDING PREVENTION RELATED, AND/OR FAMILY COUNSELING, ACCOMPANIED BY REFERRAL SUPPORTS AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE; AND TO RECEIVE GUIDED INCLUSION IN POSITIVE YOUTH-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES, PROFESSIONAL AND/OR ADULT AND PEER MENTORING THROUGH PARTNERS OF FCSP. GOALS: 1.TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE MENTORING, JOB SKILL TRAINING, COUNSELING AND RELATED SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AS NEEDED, ALONG WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE RESTITUTION FOR MISTAKES THROUGH ADULT SUPERVISION, COUNSELING AND MENTORING AS IT REMOVES PUNITIVE CONSEQUENCES. 2.TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE CITY OF FERGUSON, ITS RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES THAT WILL ENHANCE AND IMPROVE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH COOPERATION, RESPECT, AND SHARED WORK. 3.BY DOING COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK, YOUTH LEARN VALUABLE LESSONS IN RESPONSIBILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR ACTIONS. THIS PROGRAM CURRENTLY SERVES YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS AGES 17-20 YEARS OF AGE. IF YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS INTERESTED, PLEASE EMAIL FCSP AT FCSP@FYIFERGYOUTH.ORG OR CALL 314-749-5379. E-SPORTS: A NEW EMERGING CAREER PATHWAY FOR THE YOUTH INTERESTED IN VIDEO GAMES. WE WILL OFFER LEAGUES FOR MADDEN, NBA 2K AND SMASH BROS. THROUGH E-SPORTS PROGRAMMING TEENS WILL BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE TEAM RELATED GOALS WHILE ALSO BUILDING CAMARADERIE.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2012.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.