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Advocates for Youth

EIN 52-1173590 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH PARTNERS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR ADULT ALLIES TO CHAMPION YOUTH RIGHTS TO BODILY AUTONOMY AND BUILD POWER TO TRANSFORM POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND SYSTEMS TO SECURE SEXUAL HEALTH AND EQUITY FOR ALL YOUTH.

Income
$8.4 million
Spending
$10.0 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
55
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$291,627, president/ex. dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 41 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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 March 31, 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 (6)
  1. $2.5 million spent. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: ADVOCATES TRAINS THOUSANDS OF YOUTH ORGANIZERS EACH YEAR TO SERVE AS ADVOCATES AND LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND ON THEIR CAMPUSES. ADVOCATES HELPS THESE EMERGING LEADERS TO SHIFT CULTURAL NARRATIVES AND IMPROVE POLICY AND PRACTICE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
  2. $2.4 million spent. SEX EDUCATION: ADVOCATES IS A LEADER IN SEX EDUCATION ASSISTING SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH MEDICALLY ACCURATE, AGE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION REGARDING PUBERTY, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT. ADVOCATES ALSO PRODUCES AMAZE.ORG, AN SERIES OF ANIMATED VIDEOS COVERING PUBERTY AND OTHER TOPICS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, THEIR PARENTS AND EDUCATORS. AFTER SUCCESSFUL TESTING, ADVOCATES ALSO OFFERS A VIRTUAL CLASSROOM AS AN OPTION TO TRAIN TEACHERS FROM THEIR OWN COMPUTER TO IMPLEMENT QUALITY SEX EDUCATION IN THEIR CLASSROOMS. STAFF PROVIDES CAPACITY-BUILDING ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
  3. $1.3 million spent. PUBLIC AFFAIRS: ADVOCATES WORKS TO ENSURE THAT ALL YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO SEXUAL HEALTH INFORMATION AND SERVICES AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT HELP THEM THRIVE. ADVOCATES AND ITS YOUTH ORGANIZERS HAVE CREATED SEVERAL CAMPAIGNS TO IMPROVE YOUTH ACCESS TO SEXUAL HEALTH INFORMATION AND SERVICES UTILIZING TRADITIONAL MEDIA OUTREACH, SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS, AND STORYTELLING.
  4. $988,116 spent. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
  5. $778,685 spent. HIV/AIDS EDUCATION
  6. $282,730 spent. ADOLESCENT SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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? 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 March 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 April 1980.

    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.