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Youth Entrepreneur Institute

EIN 47-5351868 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
  • 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

Youth Entrepreneur Institute YEI empowers youth from underserved communities through entrepreneurship arts STEAM education and real-world business experiences that develop creativity leadership financial capability technical skills and college and career readiness.

Income
$583,513
Spending
$588,604
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
10
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$91,000, executive 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

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 209% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
  1. $398,467 spent. HIGH SCHOOL ENTREPRENEURSHIP ARTS & STEAM PROGRAMS: YEI provided year-round and summer entrepreneurship arts STEAM workforce development and career-readiness programming for high school youth. Students participated in hands-on instruction in areas such as product development digital and visual arts apparel design cosmetic and maker-based production financial literacy business development branding marketing and sales. Youth developed and operated businesses and social-enterprise projects created marketable products participated in vending and pop-up opportunities engaged with teaching artists and industry professionals and gained practical workplace and entrepreneurial experience. Programming included Smart Hustle Artpreneur Learn24 school-year and summer activities and summer work-based learning initiatives including Artprentice STEAMprentice Bizprentice and MBSYEP-supported activities.
  2. $68,371 spent. ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND STEAM PROGRAMS: Through Smart Hustle Jr. and related elementary and middle school programming YEI introduced youth to entrepreneurship creativity financial literacy art and STEAM through age-appropriate hands-on projects. Students explored business formation branding product development design technology and basic financial concepts while creating products and participating in experiential learning activities. Programming incorporated creative disciplines and maker-based learning including apparel art cosmetics gardening and other STEAM-focused projects and provided opportunities for students to practice teamwork communication problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking.
  3. $37,989 spent. SMART HUSTLE ABROAD: YEI provided experiential travel and cultural learning opportunities designed to expand students exposure to colleges careers entrepreneurship culture and communities beyond their immediate neighborhoods. Youth participated in educational travel experiences that combined cultural immersion leadership development college and career exploration entrepreneurship and STEAM learning. The program removes financial barriers to travel for participating youth and uses pre-trip preparation hands-on experiences reflection and group learning to strengthen independence confidence global awareness and future aspirations.
  4. $12,620 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: EI conducted youth entrepreneurship events including KidBizCON and related youth business and community engagement activities and operated youth-centered social enterprises that provided hands-on opportunities for participants to develop produce market and sell products. These activities allowed youth to apply entrepreneurship creative financial customer service and workforce-readiness skills in real-world settings.

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

  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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2021 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2021.

    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 September 2025.

    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 May 2022.

    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.