Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Ryan Bartel Foundation Inc

EIN 47-5129027 · Waterford, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PREVENT YOUTH SUICIDE THROUGH AWARENESS,UPSTREAM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT AND EMPOWER YOUTH, FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY AT-LARGE THROUGH ACCEPTANCE, CONNECTION,RESILIENCY AND HOPE.

Income
$688,983
Spending
$537,478
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
14.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
6
Volunteers
20

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.4 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 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 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 96% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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. $277,493 spent. TEEN PROGRAMS THE RYAN BARTEL FOUNDATION INC. PROVIDES SAFE, HEALING SPACES WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CAN FIND BELONGING AND BUILD FRIENDSHIPS WHILE PARTICIPATING IN ENGAGING AND FUN WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES. OUR PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP TEENS AGES 12-18 BUILD RESILIENCE THROUGH HOLISTIC EXPERIENCES THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT AND A POSITIVE MINDSET. THESE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN STREAMLINED UNDER OUR FORT BRAND AND HAVE EVOLVED TO MEET TEENS WHERE THEY ARE, THROUGH WEEKEND AND AFTER-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS, CAMPS, SUPPORT GROUPS AND HANGOUTS, ALL DESIGNED IN RESPONSE TO DATA, AND USING TEEN INPUT GATHERED THROUGH FOCUS GROUPS AND SURVEYS. EACH PROGRAM INTENTIONALLY WEAVES IN PROTECTIVE FACTORS SUCH AS SOCIAL CONNECTION, MENTORSHIP, AND COPING SKILLS. THESE EXPERIENCES HELP TEENS FEEL SEEN, HEARD, AND ACCEPTED WITHIN A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY, WHILE EQUIPPING THEM WITH LIFELONG TOOLS FOR WELLNESS THAT PROTECT AGAINST SELF-HARM AND HELP THEM DEAL WITH THE STRESSES OF EVERYDAY LIFE. TEEN PROGRAMS THE RYAN BARTEL FOUNDATION INC. PROVIDES SAFE, HEALING SPACES WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CAN FIND BELONGING AND BUILD FRIENDSHIPS WHILE PARTICIPATING IN ENGAGING AND FUN WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES. OUR PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP TEENS AGES 12-18 BUILD RESILIENCE THROUGH HOLISTIC EXPERIENCES THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT AND A POSITIVE MINDSET. THESE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN STREAMLINED UNDER OUR FORT BRAND AND HAVE EVOLVED TO MEET TEENS WHERE THEY ARE, THROUGH WEEKEND AND AFTER-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS, CAMPS, SUPPORT GROUPS AND HANGOUTS, ALL DESIGNED IN RESPONSE TO DATA, AND USING TEEN INPUT GATHERED THROUGH FOCUS GROUPS AND SURVEYS. EACH PROGRAM INTENTIONALLY WEAVES IN PROTECTIVE FACTORS SUCH AS SOCIAL CONNECTION, MENTORSHIP, AND COPING SKILLS. THESE EXPERIENCES HELP TEENS FEEL SEEN, HEARD, AND ACCEPTED WITHIN A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY, WHILE EQUIPPING THEM WITH LIFELONG TOOLS FOR WELLNESS THAT PROTECT AGAINST SELF-HARM AND HELP THEM DEAL WITH THE STRESSES OF EVERYDAY LIFE.
  2. $56,649 spent. EDUCATION AND TRAINING THE SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY OF OUR TEEN PROGRAMS DEPENDS ON TRAINED ADULT FACILITATORS. OUR OWN CREATED TEEN MENTAL WELLNESS FACILITATOR PROGRAM PROVIDES FACILITATORS WHO HAVE DOMAIN EXPERTISE WITH MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY AND GROUP FACILITATION SKILLS TO DELIVER OUR RESILIENCE BUILDING WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS. ONCE TRAINED, THEY HELP CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR TEENS TO BE THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES, FOSTERING ACCEPTANCE AND CONNECTION WITH OTHER TEENS AND ADULTS. SOURCES OF STRENGTH IS A BEST PRACTICE, EVIDENCE LED YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION AND SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM OFFERED BY US TO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. IT OFFERS TRAINING AND CURRICULUM FOR BOTH YOUTH AND ADULTS, USING A STRENGTH-BASED, UPSTREAM APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION AND THE PREVENTION OF ADVERSE OUTCOMES SUCH AS SUICIDE, VIOLENCE, BULLYING, AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE. BY REINFORCING MULTIPLE SOURCES OF SUPPORT, ALSO KNOWN AS PROTECTIVE FACTORS, THIS MODEL HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE BUILD RESILIENCE, ENSURING THEY HAVE STRENGTHS TO LEAN ON DURING DIFFICULT TIMES. EDUCATION AND TRAINING THE SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY OF OUR TEEN PROGRAMS DEPENDS ON TRAINED ADULT FACILITATORS. OUR OWN CREATED TEEN MENTAL WELLNESS FACILITATOR PROGRAM PROVIDES FACILITATORS WHO HAVE DOMAIN EXPERTISE WITH MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY AND GROUP FACILITATION SKILLS TO DELIVER OUR RESILIENCE BUILDING WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS. ONCE TRAINED, THEY HELP CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR TEENS TO BE THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES, FOSTERING ACCEPTANCE AND CONNECTION WITH OTHER TEENS AND ADULTS. SOURCES OF STRENGTH IS A BEST PRACTICE, EVIDENCE LED YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION AND SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM OFFERED BY US TO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. IT OFFERS TRAINING AND CURRICULUM FOR BOTH YOUTH AND ADULTS, USING A STRENGTH-BASED, UPSTREAM APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION AND THE PREVENTION OF ADVERSE OUTCOMES SUCH AS SUICIDE, VIOLENCE, BULLYING, AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE. BY REINFORCING MULTIPLE SOURCES OF SUPPORT, ALSO KNOWN AS PROTECTIVE FACTORS, THIS MODEL HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE BUILD RESILIENCE, ENSURING THEY HAVE STRENGTHS TO LEAN ON DURING DIFFICULT TIMES.
  3. $15,465 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS TWO SCHOLARSHIPS, THE HEART OF HUMANITY AND THE BEACON OF HOPE AWARD, ARE OFFERED ANNUALLY TO REWARD GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WHO HAVE BECOME PEER MENTORS, HELPING THEIR PEERS WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING. EACH AWARD IS BASED ON SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT CRITERIA AND WINNERS CANNOT NOMINATE THEMSELVES, BUT ARE NOMINATED BY A PEER OR ADULT WHO HAS BEEN A WITNESS TO THEIR ACTS OF KINDNESS AND SUPPORT OF ANOTHER PEER.
  4. $8,520 spent. RESOURCES AN ONLINE AND ON-DEMAND LIBRARY HAS BEEN CREATED TO SUPPORT PARENTS AND TEENS WITH HELPFUL RESOURCES THROUGH DIFFERENT MEDIUMS, FROM ON-DEMAND WEBINARS, TO BLOG POSTS OR A DIRECTORY OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL RESOURCES TO CONTACT. THE MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL OF 6 EXPERTS IN YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION FROM ACROSS VIRGINIA HELP PROVIDE CONTENT FOR OUR RESOURCE LIBRARY AND MEET REGULARLY WITH KEY STAFF MEMBERS TO DISCUSS PROGRAM CHALLENGES AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE. THE GOALS OF THE MEMBERS ARE TO ENSURE OUR PROGRAMS 1) ARE EVIDENCE-INFORMED AND GROUNDED IN THE LATEST DATA AND RESEARCH ON YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION 2) USE BEST PRACTICES IN CRISIS RESPONSE AND SAFETY PLANNING, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, BELONGING, AND TRAUMA-INFORMED FACILITATION 3) HAVE AN EFFECTIVE MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN TO MEASURE IMPACT.
  5. RESOURCES AN ONLINE AND ON-DEMAND LIBRARY HAS BEEN CREATED TO SUPPORT PARENTS AND TEENS WITH HELPFUL RESOURCES THROUGH DIFFERENT MEDIUMS, FROM ON-DEMAND WEBINARS, TO BLOG POSTS OR A DIRECTORY OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL RESOURCES TO CONTACT. THE MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL OF 6 EXPERTS IN YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION FROM ACROSS VIRGINIA HELP PROVIDE CONTENT FOR OUR RESOURCE LIBRARY AND MEET REGULARLY WITH KEY STAFF MEMBERS TO DISCUSS PROGRAM CHALLENGES AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE. THE GOALS OF THE MEMBERS ARE TO ENSURE OUR PROGRAMS 1) ARE EVIDENCE-INFORMED AND GROUNDED IN THE LATEST DATA AND RESEARCH ON YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION 2) USE BEST PRACTICES IN CRISIS RESPONSE AND SAFETY PLANNING, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, BELONGING, AND TRAUMA-INFORMED FACILITATION 3) HAVE AN EFFECTIVE MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN TO MEASURE IMPACT.

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 March 2016.

    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.