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Leading Youth Through Empowerment Inc

EIN 47-1867733 · Wilmington, DE

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LYTE PREPARES ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED YOUTH FOR SUCCESS FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER THROUGH RIGOROUS ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION, PERSONAL MENTORING, AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. OUR NINE-YEAR PROGRAM SUPPORTS STUDENTS FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL THROUGH COLLEGE, HELPING THEM OVERCOME BARRIERS, ACCESS HIGHER EDUCATION, AND ENTER THE WORKFORCE PREPARED TO LEAD FULFILLING, PRODUCTIVE LIVES.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 41%
Employees
15
Volunteers
87
Highest pay
$89,857, executive 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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 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 (1)
  1. $840,724 spent. LYTE BELIEVES EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS AND WORK EXPERIENCE DRIVES LIFE SUCCESS, YET OPPORTUNITY ISN'T AVAILABLE FOR LOWER INCOME STUDENTS. LYTE HELPS TITLE I 8TH GRADERS ACCESS COMPETITIVE HIGH SCHOOLS AND SUPPORTS THEM THROUGH COLLEGE TOWARD CAREER-ALIGNED DEGREES. LYTE CURRICULUM BEGINS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH ADVANCED AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER CLASSES, EXAM PREPARATION, AND GUIDANCE ON HIGH SCHOOL CHOICE AND FINANCIAL AID. IN HIGH SCHOOL, FOUR-YEARS OF PROGRAMMING PAIRS EACH SCHOLAR WITH AN ADVISOR, OFFERING TUTORING, RIGOROUS COURSEWORK, GOAL-SETTING, COLLEGE PLANNING, AND PAID INTERNSHIPS. IN COLLEGE, PROGRAMMING STRENGTHENS COLLEGE SUCCESS THROUGH ADVISING, FINANCIAL AID SUPPORT, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. ACROSS ALL NINE YEARS, LYTE'S CAREER PIPELINE PROVIDES HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE, INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS, PAID INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND 529 COLLEGE SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES TO PREPARE SCHOLARS FOR HIGH-DEMAND CAREERS.

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 November 2014.

    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.