Hay Center Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Empowering current and former foster youth to be successful, productive adults through training, mentorship, and support in housing, education, employment, and personal achievement.
- Income
- $488,083
- Spending
- $335,857
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 102.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 199
- Highest pay
- $58,236, exec dir. (thru 10/24); director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 102.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 65% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (4)
- $79,094 spent. The HAY Center Foundation's support of the Education and Workforce programs fills the gaps where public contracts do not allow funding. Youth receive support (books and fees, tuition, training, uniforms) to work towards and accomplish their education and employment goals. Education: College Tours allow rising juniors/seniors to explore their post-secondary education options and allows for advanced planning ahead of graduation. College Bound Experience offers a simulated first-day-of-college interactive event for youth heading off to college as well as provides as volunteer opportunity for youth to build their resumes. Continued on Schedule OWorkforce: The HAY Center hosts a Summer Jobs Program, giving youth ages 16 through 20 the opportunity to participate in first-time employment and develop their soft skills with the support of a workforce team providing onsite case management. Job training and viable employment options are necessary for a youth's successful transition to independence. The Workforce Team works to identify and develop sustainable entry-level employment opportunities. Financial Management workshops are provided to all youth participating in The HAY Center's employment programs.
- $64,969 spent. The HAY Center Coaching Programs include Transition and Academic Coaching. The Transition Coaching program pairs trained volunteers with youth who are preparing to "age out" of the foster care system. The coach assists youth in exploring options for education, employment, and housing. The goal of the program is for coaches to be someone outside of the system who provides support and keeps the youth connected to The HAY Center's wraparound services. Academic Coaching focuses not only on subject matter tutoring services but also teaches youth executive functioning skills including time management, impression management, organizational skill and study skills. Youth participate in individual and group tutoring sessions, which are held either in person or virtually.
- $63,957 spent. The HAY Center Housing Continuum assists youth in finding and applying for safe, stable housing options that will aid them in meeting their educational, employment, and mental health needs and goals. In addition to The HAY Center's wraparound services, the youth participating in the Housing Continuum receive housing readiness, navigation, and case management services. The goal of the program is for youth to be prepared to obtain their own housing, live independently and achieve housing stability. Continued on Schedule Oo The Bridge Housing program provides youth with a rent-free place to live while they participate in intensive case management, wraparound services, and advanced life skills training. Youth work towards obtaining employment and/or training to gain marketable job skills while learning to live independently. o Housing Options: Housing vouchers through a public/private venture between The HAY Center, the HAY Center Foundation, and local housing authorities, youth apply for housing vouchers through the local housing authorities. During the application process, the youth receive housing readiness and navigation services to ensure they locate affordable housing that fits their budget and needs. o Rental/Utility Assistance: The HAY Center Foundation assists with the payment of deposits, first month's rent, utility assistance, and rental expenses. o The HAY Center Campus was developed through another public/private venture. The Campus consists of a housing and services complex specifically designed to meet the needs of transitioning youth. The Campus further expands housing options at a location where youth can conveniently receive HAY Center services and participate in experiential training opportunities that promote independent living skills.
- $48,595 spent. Youth Engagement and Enhanced Life Skills Workshops are centered around youth voice and provides youth the opportunity to interact with the HAY Center team outside of case management services as well as interacting with volunteers while learning much needed life skills. Enhanced life skills topics include financial literacy, job readiness, parenting, meal preparation, housing and other areas identified by our youth. Annual events include the following: o Thanksgiving Grab and Go: Youth stop by The HAY Center to pick up a holiday food bag, gift card and pie that can be used for their own holiday meals. Youth enjoy lunch, snacks, and pie as they wait for their food bags to be made per their requests. This is a great time for them to visit with The HAY Center team. o Holiday Event, held in December, is an opportunity for youth and their family of choice to celebrate the holidays at this fun-filled event. It provides youth the opportunity to connect with community members outside of the foster care system. The HAY Center and team step in to ensure that our youth enjoy this special time of the year. o Prom Readiness Event helps high school students in foster care prepare for their prom by providing an inventory of formal wear and accessories that the youth can select from free of charge. Matched with volunteer personal shoppers, youth are mentored through their shopping experience while learning life skills needed when attending a special event. o Graduation Event celebrates our youth's academic success. Youth are celebrated and provided gifts of household and education necessities to promote independent living success and prepare them for their next set of goals. o College Preparation Events - A series of activities and events to assist youth with college participation. During the summer, college information sessions and college tours along with information and training is provided to prepare youth for a successful transition to college or university.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 September 2025.
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 October 2015.
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 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.