Youth Development Initiatives Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE A SOUND STRUCTURAL PROGRAM FOR ADOLESCENTS TO ENHANCE THEIR SELF-ESTEEM, EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AND CULTURAL AWARENESS THEREBY PROVIDING THEM WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP INTELLECTUALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND SOCIALLY IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS CHALLENGING WORLD.
- Income
- $259,314
- Spending
- $264,285
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 98%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 23
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: 39 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 77% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 10 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.
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 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 (1)
- $202,998 spent. THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF PREVENTION SERVICES AND PROGRAM ACTIVITIES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO PREVENT RISK TAKING BEHAVIORS INCLUDING JUVENILE COURT INVOLVEMENT, SUBSTANCE USE, AND IRRESPONSIBLE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN THE AREAS OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PERSONAL GROWTH, COMMUNITY SERVICES, AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT THAT FOSTER THE HEALTHY GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THESE ADOLESCENTS. BOTH THE PEARLS PROGRAM AND THE ALPHA INSTITUTE STRIVE TO DEVELOP THE STRENGTHS, SKILLS, AND SOCIAL CAPACITIES OF THE TARGETED POPULATION. THE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OF THE PROGRAM ARE CONDUCTED BY VOLUNTEERS AND/OR TUTORS WHO HOLD OR WHO HAVE HELD RESPONSIBLE PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS IN THE COMMUNITY. THEY DEVELOP MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY ENCOURAGES PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SELF-RELIANCE.
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
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 October 13, 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 September 2025.
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 March 2002.
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 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.