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Sisu Youth Inc

EIN 46-5678806 · Oklahoma City, OK

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SISU IS A LOW-BARRIER, IDENTITY-AFFIRMING SPACE IN OKLAHOMA CITY WHERE UNHOUSED TRANSITION-AGE YOUTH FIND THE SHELTER AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO PURSUE THE LIFE THEY WANT. WE OFFER AN EMERGENCY SHELTER, A DROP-IN RESOURCE CENTER, CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15-24.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
65
Volunteers
345
Highest pay
$67,191, executive di

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    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 (5)
  1. SHELTER - DROP-CENTER: IN 2024, SISU YOUTH SERVICES SHELTER AND DROP-IN CENTER PROVIDED CRITICAL SAFETY, STABILITY, AND RESOURCES FOR YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS, WE SERVED 548 UNIQUE YOUNG PEOPLE. AT THE SHELTER AND DROP-IN CENTER, YOUTH ACCESSED 14,502 MEALS (AN AVERAGE OF 40 MEALS PER DAY), COMPLETED 4,055 LOADS OF LAUNDRY, AND TOOK 5,977 SHOWERSMEETING BASIC NEEDS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR DIGNITY AND HEALTH. OUR CLOTHING CLOSET SUPPORTED 1,214 APPOINTMENTS, ENSURING YOUTH HAD WEATHER-APPROPRIATE CLOTHING FOR LIFE AND WORK. WE ALSO DISTRIBUTED BUS PASSES, ENABLING YOUNG PEOPLE TO ACCESS SCHOOLS, EMPLOYMENT, AND HEALTH CARE APPOINTMENTS. BEYOND MEETING IMMEDIATE NEEDS, THESE SERVICES SERVE AS THE ENTRY POINT INTO MORE COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND HOUSING PROGRAMS THAT HELP YOUTH TRANSITION FROM CRISIS TO LONG-TERM STABILITY. SHELTER - DROP-CENTER: IN 2024, SISU YOUTH SERVICES SHELTER AND DROP-IN CENTER PROVIDED CRITICAL SAFETY, STABILITY, AND RESOURCES FOR YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS, WE SERVED 548 UNIQUE YOUNG PEOPLE. AT THE SHELTER AND DROP-IN CENTER, YOUTH ACCESSED 14,502 MEALS (AN AVERAGE OF 40 MEALS PER DAY), COMPLETED 4,055 LOADS OF LAUNDRY, AND TOOK 5,977 SHOWERSMEETING BASIC NEEDS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR DIGNITY AND HEALTH. OUR CLOTHING CLOSET SUPPORTED 1,214 APPOINTMENTS, ENSURING YOUTH HAD WEATHER-APPROPRIATE CLOTHING FOR LIFE AND WORK. WE ALSO DISTRIBUTED BUS PASSES, ENABLING YOUNG PEOPLE TO ACCESS SCHOOLS, EMPLOYMENT, AND HEALTH CARE APPOINTMENTS. BEYOND MEETING IMMEDIATE NEEDS, THESE SERVICES SERVE AS THE ENTRY POINT INTO MORE COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND HOUSING PROGRAMS THAT HELP YOUTH TRANSITION FROM CRISIS TO LONG-TERM STABILITY.
  2. HOUSING PROGRAMS: IN 2024, SISU YOUTH SERVICES PROVIDED HOUSING FOR 71 YOUNG PEOPLE AND 11 BABIES OF PARENTING YOUTH, CREATING SAFE AND STABLE HOMES THAT FORM THE FOUNDATION FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS. NEARLY 40% OF OUR CLIENTS SELF-IDENTIFIED A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER, PHYSICAL DISABILITY, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITION, OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, AND MOST ENTERED SISU WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE, INCOME, OR NON- CASH BENEFITS. FORTY PERCENT WERE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, AND 41% CAME DIRECTLY FROM STREET HOMELESSNESS OR EMERGENCY SHELTERS. TO ADDRESS THESE LAYERED BARRIERS, SISU OPERATES A CONTINUUM OF HOUSING OPTIONS: RAPID REHOUSING PROVIDES UP TO 18 MONTHS OF RENTAL SUPPORT TO HELP YOUTH BUILD CREDIT, RENTAL HISTORY, AND FINANCIAL STABILITY; TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PLACES YOUTH IN SISU-LEASED APARTMENTS WHERE THEY GAIN INDEPENDENCE WITH STAFF SUPPORT; AND HOST HOMES CONNECT YOUTH WITH TRUSTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR SAFE HOUSING WHILE PLANNING NEXT STEPS. THESE PROGRAMS MOVE YOUNG PEOPLE BEYOND CRISIS INTO STABILITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND OPPORTUNITY. HOUSING PROGRAMS: IN 2024, SISU YOUTH SERVICES PROVIDED HOUSING FOR 71 YOUNG PEOPLE AND 11 BABIES OF PARENTING YOUTH, CREATING SAFE AND STABLE HOMES THAT FORM THE FOUNDATION FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS. NEARLY 40% OF OUR CLIENTS SELF-IDENTIFIED A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER, PHYSICAL DISABILITY, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITION, OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, AND MOST ENTERED SISU WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE, INCOME, OR NON- CASH BENEFITS. FORTY PERCENT WERE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, AND 41% CAME DIRECTLY FROM STREET HOMELESSNESS OR EMERGENCY SHELTERS. TO ADDRESS THESE LAYERED BARRIERS, SISU OPERATES A CONTINUUM OF HOUSING OPTIONS: RAPID REHOUSING PROVIDES UP TO 18 MONTHS OF RENTAL SUPPORT TO HELP YOUTH BUILD CREDIT, RENTAL HISTORY, AND FINANCIAL STABILITY; TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PLACES YOUTH IN SISU-LEASED APARTMENTS WHERE THEY GAIN INDEPENDENCE WITH STAFF SUPPORT; AND HOST HOMES CONNECT YOUTH WITH TRUSTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR SAFE HOUSING WHILE PLANNING NEXT STEPS. THESE PROGRAMS MOVE YOUNG PEOPLE BEYOND CRISIS INTO STABILITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND OPPORTUNITY.
  3. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES: IN 2024, SISU YOUTH SERVICES PROVIDED INDIVIDUALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT TO HELP YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS SET GOALS, ACCESS RESOURCES, AND NAVIGATE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH CARE, AND HOUSING PATHWAYS. OUR STAFF CONDUCTED 2,292 CASE MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS, OFFERING PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE AND CONNECTION TO ESSENTIAL SUPPORTS. FORTY YOUNG PEOPLE WERE ASSISTED IN PURSUING EDUCATION GOALS, INCLUDING HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION, GED ENROLLMENT, AND POSTSECONDARY TRAINING. THESE SERVICES ARE GROUNDED IN TRAUMA-INFORMED, YOUTH-CENTERED PRACTICES THAT EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE TO BUILD STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE AT THEIR OWN PACE.
  4. $2.0 million spent. SISU IS A LOW-BARRIER, IDENTITY-AFFIRMING SPACE IN OKLAHOMA CITY WHERE UNHOUSED TRANSITION-AGE YOUTH FIND THE SHELTER AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO PURSUE THE LIFE THEY WANT. WE OFFER AN EMERGENCY SHELTER, A DROP-IN RESOURCE CENTER, CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15-24.
  5. SISU IS A LOW-BARRIER, IDENTITY-AFFIRMING SPACE IN OKLAHOMA CITY WHERE UNHOUSED TRANSITION-AGE YOUTH FIND THE SHELTER AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO PURSUE THE LIFE THEY WANT. WE OFFER AN EMERGENCY SHELTER, A DROP-IN RESOURCE CENTER, CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15-24.

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 January 2015.

    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.