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Fresh Lifelines for Youth Inc

EIN 52-2234595 · San Jose, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FLY'S MISSION IS TO PARTNER WITH YOUTH TO UNLOCK THEIR POTENTIAL, DISRUPT THE PIPELINE TO PRISON, AND ADVANCE JUSTICE IN CALIFORNIA AND BEYOND. FLY ENVISIONS A COUNTRY WHERE ALL KIDS GROW UP VALUED AND SUPPORTED, AND THE PIPELINE TO PRISON IS REPLACED WITH MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS TO LIVE HEALTHY, FREE, AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES THAT MAKE STRONGER, SAFER, AND MORE VIBRANT COMMUNITIES FOR US ALL. WHEN FLY WAS FOUNDED IN 2000, WE WERE GUIDED BY THE INPUT OF YOUTH IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO CREATE PROGRAMS GROUNDED IN LEGAL EDUCATION, MENTORING, AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING. OVER THE PAST 22 YEARS, WE HAVE CONTINUOUSLY SOUGHT THE INPUT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THE YOUTH JUSTICE SYSTEM TO GROW AND EVOLVE OUR PROGRAM OFFERINGS. WE SEEK TO ELEVATE THE VOICES OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE OUR SYSTEMS MORE EQUITABLE, JUST, AND HUMANE. WE ARE ON A TRAJECTORY THAT ASPIRES TO MOVE FROM SERVICE FOR SOME TO JUSTICE FOR ALL.

Income
$15.4 million
Spending
$11.4 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
117
Volunteers
81
Highest pay
$177,951, chief strategy officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 June 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 (1)
  1. $8.1 million spent. FLY LAW PROGRAMIN THE FLY LAW PROGRAM, OUR STAFF AND CAREFULLY RECRUITED, HIGHLY TRAINED VOLUNTEERS TEACH A FUN, INTERACTIVE 8- TO 12-WEEK COURSE USING OUR NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEGAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM, WHICH COVERS RELEVANT TOPICS SUCH AS POLICE ENCOUNTERS, ACCOMPLICE LIABILITY, THREE STRIKES, THEFT, VANDALISM, DRUGS, GANGS, AND POLICE ARRESTS. THE LAW CURRICULUM IS INTERESTING AND ENGAGING TO THE YOUTH AND IS ALSO AN EXCELLENT VEHICLE FOR US TO TEACH CRITICAL LIFE SKILLS LIKE ANGER MANAGEMENT, PROBLEM SOLVING, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND RESISTING NEGATIVE PEER PRESSURE. EVERYTHING IS TAUGHT IN A NONJUDGMENTAL MANNER WITH NO STIGMA IS ATTACHED, WHICH MAKES THE YOUTH MORE WILLING TO LEARN. MID-WAY THROUGH THE SEMESTER, YOUTH TAKE A FIELD TRIP TO A LOCAL UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL WHERE THEY TOUR THE CAMPUS AND ACT OUT A MOCK TRIAL IN THE MOOT COURTROOM. THE LAW PROGRAM CLASSES ARE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, JUVENILE HALLS, AND JUVENILE CAMPS AND RANCHES.FLY LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMTHE LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM TARGETS YOUTH WHO ARE EXPERIENCING CHALLENGES OR BARRIERS THAT COULD LEAD TO INVOLVEMENT IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT. FLY SUPPORTS THEM IN BUILDING THE SKILLS AND ATTITUDES THEY NEED TO LIVE A CRIME-FREE, SELF-SUFFICIENT LIFE. THE PROGRAM KICKS OFF WITH A THREE-DAY WILDERNESS RETREAT THAT ENABLES YOUTH TO BREAK AWAY FROM NEGATIVE INFLUENCES AND STRESSES IN ORDER TO BEGIN BONDING WITH FLY STAFF AND PEERS AND DEVELOPING TRUST AND TEAMWORK SKILLS. YOUTH THEN MEET BI-MONTHLY TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN GROUP SETTINGS AND TO DESIGN SERVICE-LEARNING PROJECTS IN WHICH THEY GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. EACH LEADERSHIP YOUTH RECEIVES INTENSIVE COACHING FROM A FLY CASE MANAGER TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THEIR GREATEST BARRIERS TO LIVING A HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE LIFE.COURT APPOINTED FRIEND AND ADVOCATE MENTOR PROGRAMFLY'S CAFA MENTOR PROGRAM PAIRS CARING, TRAINED ADULT VOLUNTEERS WITH YOUTH ON PROBATION FOR A YEAR-LONG MENTORING RELATIONSHIP. BEFORE THEY ARE MATCHED WITH A YOUTH, CAFA MENTORS COMPLETE 26 HOURS OF INITIAL TRAINING AND ORIENTATION AND COMMIT TO FOLLOW-UP TRAININGS ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS. ONCE MATCHED, MENTORS BUILD POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUTH THROUGH WEEKLY 1-ON-1 MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES, HELPING THEM TO DEVELOP NEW AMBITIONS, SET AND ACHIEVE GOALS, AND LEARN TO HAVE FUN IN A POSITIVE, SOBER WAY. IN ADDITION TO BEING FRIENDS AND ROLE MODELS TO YOUTH, FLY CAFA MENTORS ARE SPECIALLY APPOINTED BY A JUVENILE COURT JUDGE SO THAT THEY CAN ADVOCATE FOR THEIR MENTEE BY ATTENDING JUVENILE COURT PROCEEDINGS, SUBMITTING COURT REPORTS, AND ADDRESSING THE COURT ON BEHALF OF THE YOUTH. EACH MENTOR/MENTEE MATCH HAS A FLY CASE MANAGER FOR SUPPORT AND ALSO ATTENDS MONTHLY GROUP ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED BY FLY.FLY MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMTHE FLY MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM HELPS INTERRUPT THE SCHOOL-TO-PRISON PIPELINE IN WHICH KIDS WITH ISSUES AT SCHOOL ARE DISCIPLINED AND PUSHED INTO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM INSTEAD OF BEING OFFERED THE SERVICES THEY NEED. OUR PROGRAM SUPPORTS SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADERS WHO ARE REFERRED BY SCHOOL OFFICIALS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY TO STAY ENGAGED IN SCHOOL AND OUT OF THE SYSTEM. THE PROGRAM OFFERS AN AGE-APPROPRIATE VERSION OF FLY'S LAW PROGRAM ALONG WITH ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT FROM A FLY CASE MANAGER FOR YOUTH AND POSITIVE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED THROUGH FLY.FLY REENTRY PROGRAMYOUTH SEEKING TO REENTER THE COMMUNITY AFTER INCARCERATION TYPICALLY FACE A HOST OF BARRIERS TO A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION. REENTRY ASSISTANCE IS A CRITICAL SERVICE THAT'S BEEN PROVEN TO HELP YOUTH MOVE FORWARD IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION AND AVOID GOING BACK INTO THE SYSTEM. THE FLY REENTRY PROGRAM SERVES YOUTH IN LONGER TERM INCARCERATION IN SANTA CLARA AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES. IT RUNS FOR APPROXIMATELY 6-9 MONTHS (POSSIBLE EXTENSION UP TO A YEAR IF NEEDED) AND CONSISTS OF FOUR PHASES: PRE-RELEASE, TRANSITION, TRY-OUT, AND TRANSFER OF CARE. DURING THIS TIME, THE ASSIGNED CASE MANAGER WILL DEVELOP A TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE YOUTH, PROVIDE SUPPORT AND CONNECTION, MONITOR AND STRENGTHEN SUPPORT NETWORK AND YOUTH'S SKILLS, AND END PROGRAM SERVICES WITH A SUPPORT NETWORK SAFELY IN PLACE.STAY FLYTHE STAY FLY PROGRAM IS A REENTRY PROGRAM THAT DEVELOPS SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW IN TRANSITION AGE YOUTH (TAY). THESE YOUNG PEOPLE, AGES 18-21 (SANTA CLARA COUNTY) OR 18-25 (ALAMEDA COUNTY AND SAN MATEO COUNTY), RECEIVE SUPPORT BEGINNING IN CUSTODY, AND CONTINUE TO BE SUPPORTED BY FLY STAFF AS THEY TRANSITION BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. STAY FLY'S LAW RELATED EDUCATION BUILDS AGENCY AND SELF-ADVOCACY THROUGH LEGAL EDUCATION WORKSHOPS LED BY TRAINED FLY FACILITATORS WHO PROVIDE VALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND HOW IT AFFECTS THEIR LIVES. WITH THIS UNDERSTANDING, YOUTH FIND WAYS TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM WHILE BUILDING THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE BETTER CHOICES. YOUTH ALSO MEET TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN GROUP SETTINGS AND PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES THAT ARE FUN AND ENGAGING WHILE HELPING THEM FIND WAYS TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITIES THAT MATTER MOST TO THEM. EACH YOUNG PERSON ALSO HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE INDIVIDUALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT, WHICH IS INTENSIVE, ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT TO HELP YOUTH BUILD A MUCH LARGER SUPPORT NETWORK THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCILTHE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCILS (YAC) ARE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY AND ALAMEDA COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS AND FRESH LIFELINES FOR YOUTH TO INTRODUCE POSITIVE SYSTEM CHANGE THROUGH THE INCLUSION OF YOUTH VOICE. EACH YAC PROVIDES YOUTH WHO FORMERLY PARTICIPATED IN JUVENILE JUSTICE SERVICES WITH A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INPUT ON CURRENT SYSTEM PROCESSES, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES. YOUNG PEOPLE WHO SERVE ON THE COUNCIL ARE SWORN IN AS YOUTH JUSTICE CONSULTANTS BY A PRESIDING JUVENILE COURT JUDGE. ADDITIONALLY, YAC ALLOWS YOUTH THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THEIR STORIES AND EXPERIENCES TO INSPIRE HOPE AND ENCOURAGE CHANGE IN THE LIVES OF YOUTH

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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