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Side by Side Va Inc

EIN 54-1572424 · Richmond, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SIDE BY SIDE ENSURES VIRGINIA'S LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUESTIONING YOUTH AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR SUCCESS THROUGH ACCESS TO SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY. SIDE BY SIDE CONTINUES TO BE THE ONLY ORGANIZATION IN THE AREA THAT DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THE UNIQUE NEEDS AND THE HEALTHY SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF LGBTQ YOUTH AGES 11-20. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS WEEKLY YOUTH SUPPORT GROUPS, A 24/7 TOLL-FREE YOUTH SUPPORT HOTLINE,EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, YOUTH LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES, AND A SAFE PLACE WHERE ALL YOUTH ARE ENCOURAGED TO VALUE THE DIVERSE INDIVIDUALS WHO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A DYNAMIC, EXCEPTIONAL PLACE. THROUGH THE INSTITUTE FOR EQUALITY, SIDE BY SIDE OFFERS PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO HELP YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICE PROFESSIONALS EFFECTIVELY ASSESS AND RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE MANNER.

Income
$613,716
Spending
$474,196
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
7.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 50%
Employees
18
Highest pay
$82,500, executive di

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 65% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 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

    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

    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. $425,824 spent. THE CORE OF SIDE BY SIDE'S YOUTH SUPPORT PROGRAMS IS THE WEEKLY ADULT- FACILITATED SUPPORT GROUPS IN BOTH RICHMOND AND CHARLOTTESVILLE. THE YOUTH SUPPORT PROGRAM IS BASED ON THE 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS FOR ADOLESCENTS DEVELOPED BY THE SEARCH INSTITUTE AS BUILDING BLOCKS THAT ENGAGE YOUTH IN BUILDING SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES FOR HEALTHY MATURATION AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. INTERESTED YOUTH CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE YOUTH ENGAGED IN LEADERSHIP (YEL) PROGRAM. THE CURRICULUM FOR THIS NINE MONTH PROGRAM COMPLEMENTS THE SUPPORT GROUPS AND HELPS YOUTH ACQUIRE SPECIFIC LEADERSHIP SKILLS THROUGH HANDS ON PROJECTS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE GROUP LEARNS PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS BY ACTUALLY PLANNING AND EXECUTING ALL ASPECTS OF SIDE BY SIDE'S ANNUAL ALTERNATIVE PROM. IN ADDITION TO THE PROM, SIDE BY SIDE PROVIDES SOCIAL COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR INCLUDING A SUMMER COOKOUT AND HOLIDAY PARTY. SIDE BY SIDE ALSO SERVES AS A YOUTH CENTER, PROVIDING A SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH. THIS INCLUDES STUDY HOURS, GAMES, A LIBRARY, AND MANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO ENJOY A SPACE WHERE THEY ARE ACCEPTED FOR WHO THEY ARE. SIDE BY SIDE'S 24/7 YOUTH SUPPORT LINE AND SOCIAL NETWORKING PROVIDE RESOURCES TO YOUNG PEOPLE STATEWIDE. THE YOUTH SUPPORT LINE IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES LGBTQ YOUTH CAN REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT. CALLS RANGE FROM YOUTH JUST NEEDING A SYMPATHETIC EAR, TO YOUTH CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE TO CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE WITH EMERGENCY HOUSING FOR HOMELESS LGBTQ YOUTH. PARENTS, TEACHERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS ALSO USE THE HOTLINE WHEN SEEKING INFORMATION AND RESOURCES. SIDE BY SIDE'S LONG EXPERIENCE IN WORKING WITH RICHMOND'S LGBTQ AT-RISK YOUTH EVIDENCED THE NEED TO RAISE AWARENESS AMONG AND IMPROVE THE SERVICE OFFERED BY YOUTH SERVICE PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT VIRGINIA. IN 2008 SIDE BY SIDE LAUNCHED THE INSTITUTE FOR EQUALITY TO TRAIN YOUTH SERVICE PROVIDERS INCLUDING TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, COUNSELORS, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND OTHERS TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF LGBTQ YOUTH. THE CORE OF SIDE BY SIDE'S YOUTH SUPPORT PROGRAMS IS THE WEEKLY ADULT- FACILITATED SUPPORT GROUPS IN BOTH RICHMOND AND CHARLOTTESVILLE. THE YOUTH SUPPORT PROGRAM IS BASED ON THE 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS FOR ADOLESCENTS DEVELOPED BY THE SEARCH INSTITUTE AS BUILDING BLOCKS THAT ENGAGE YOUTH IN BUILDING SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES FOR HEALTHY MATURATION AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. INTERESTED YOUTH CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE YOUTH ENGAGED IN LEADERSHIP (YEL) PROGRAM. THE CURRICULUM FOR THIS NINE MONTH PROGRAM COMPLEMENTS THE SUPPORT GROUPS AND HELPS YOUTH ACQUIRE SPECIFIC LEADERSHIP SKILLS THROUGH HANDS ON PROJECTS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE GROUP LEARNS PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS BY ACTUALLY PLANNING AND EXECUTING ALL ASPECTS OF SIDE BY SIDE'S ANNUAL ALTERNATIVE PROM. IN ADDITION TO THE PROM, SIDE BY SIDE PROVIDES SOCIAL COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR INCLUDING A SUMMER COOKOUT AND HOLIDAY PARTY. SIDE BY SIDE ALSO SERVES AS A YOUTH CENTER, PROVIDING A SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH. THIS INCLUDES STUDY HOURS, GAMES, A LIBRARY, AND MANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO ENJOY A SPACE WHERE THEY ARE ACCEPTED FOR WHO THEY ARE. SIDE BY SIDE'S 24/7 YOUTH SUPPORT LINE AND SOCIAL NETWORKING PROVIDE RESOURCES TO YOUNG PEOPLE STATEWIDE. THE YOUTH SUPPORT LINE IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES LGBTQ YOUTH CAN REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT. CALLS RANGE FROM YOUTH JUST NEEDING A SYMPATHETIC EAR, TO YOUTH CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE TO CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE WITH EMERGENCY HOUSING FOR HOMELESS LGBTQ YOUTH. PARENTS, TEACHERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS ALSO USE THE HOTLINE WHEN SEEKING INFORMATION AND RESOURCES. SIDE BY SIDE'S LONG EXPERIENCE IN WORKING WITH RICHMOND'S LGBTQ AT-RISK YOUTH EVIDENCED THE NEED TO RAISE AWARENESS AMONG AND IMPROVE THE SERVICE OFFERED BY YOUTH SERVICE PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT VIRGINIA. IN 2008 SIDE BY SIDE LAUNCHED THE INSTITUTE FOR EQUALITY TO TRAIN YOUTH SERVICE PROVIDERS INCLUDING TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, COUNSELORS, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND OTHERS TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF LGBTQ 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 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 June 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 June 1991.

    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.