Smyal Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Overview: Based in Washington, D.C., SMYAL supports and empowers LGBTQ+ youth ages 6 through 24. Since 1984, SMYAL has worked to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ youth through affirming programs, housing support, accessible mental health services, leadership training, and community outreach.
- Income
- $5.1 million
- Spending
- $5.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 5.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 58%
- Employees
- 49
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $234,897, 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
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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 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 (4)
- $2.6 million spent. Transitional Housing: The youth housing program provides safe and stable shelter, food, case management services, mental health counseling, crisis intervention, and community support for its residents as they transition from homelessness to sustainable independence.
- $1.1 million spent. Health and Wellness: The Clinical Services Department provides affirming and accessible mental health counseling to LGBTQ+ youth through individual therapy, group sessions, and family therapy. The Bilingual Street Outreach Program is designed to fill gaps in services for Spanish-LGBTQ+ youth in DC bybuilding relationships with and connectingthem to affirming resources in the language they speak.
- $508,471 spent. Community Education: Social support programs are designed to provide youth with a safe space to express themselves and build community. Cultural Competency trainings are provided to individuals and organizations to encourage the acknowledgement and acceptance of differences in appearance, behavior and culture.
- $435,682 spent. Youth Leadership Development: Leadership programs are designed to equip young people with the skills, resources, and support they need to enact change as the leaders of tomorrow and today. Included in this programming is the annual RiseUP! conference.
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
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 December 2024.
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 August 1985.
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.