Emerald Youth Foundation

What it says it does

EMERALD YOUTH FOUNDATION SERVES URBAN YOUTH, ELEMENTARY THROUGH YOUNG ADULT UP TO APPROXIMATELY 25 YEARS OLD, THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE AND CHRISTIAN MINISTRY OF FAITH, EDUCATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTED THROUGH A NETWORK OF NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCHES. EMERALD YOUTH FOUNDATION'S PROGRAMS INCLUDE: JUST LEAD, A NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRY MODEL WHICH IMBEDS YOUTH WORKERS TOGETHER WITH CHURCHES ACROSS THE CITY TO PROVIDE AFTERSCHOOL, DISCIPLESHIP, SUMMER AND MENTORING EXPERIENCES; EMERALD YOUTH FELLOWS, A PROGRAM IN WHICH A SELECT GROUP OF GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS ARE CHOSEN TO RECEIVE INTENSIVE MENTORING, CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND COLLEGE/CAREER GUIDANCE TO HELP THEM TRANSITION INTO POST-SECONDARY TRAINING AND HELP THEM MOVE INTO THEIR PROFESSIONAL LIVES AND SERVANT LEADERSHIP ROLES; AND EMERALD YOUTH SPORTS, A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE FOUNDATION AND FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES THAT PROVIDES CARING CHRISTIAN MINISTRY AND PRE-GAME DEVOTIONALS, ALONG WITH HIGH QUALITY CLINIC

Income

$10.6 million

Spending

$11.5 million

Spent on programs

80%

Reserves

7 months of spending

Largest source of income

donations and private grants, 81%

Employees

302

Volunteers

300

Highest pay

$233,882, president

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

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

• Reserves

  28 of 35

  Spendable reserves would cover 7.0 months of spending.

• Debt

  20 of 20

  It owes 1% of what it owns.

• Living within its means

  4 of 15

  Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

• Income trend

  15 of 15

  Income rose 13% on the year before.

• Spending floor

  15 of 15

  80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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.

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

Legitimacy checks

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   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.

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   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. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

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

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

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   How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

   Recognized by the IRS since August 1992.

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

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   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.

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.