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Youthserve Inc

EIN 63-1278901 · Birmingham, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EMPOWER YOUTH LEADERSHIP THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE

Income
$273,772
Spending
$357,526
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
5
Volunteers
646
Highest pay
$82,545, executive director

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $140,647 spent. LEADERSHIP COUNCILSLAST ACADEMIC YEAR, NEARLY 100 STUDENTS FROM MORE THAN 60 SCHOOLS STEPPED INTO LEADERSHIP THROUGH YOUTH ACTION COUNCIL AND YOUTH PHILANTHROPY COUNCIL. THESE STUDENTS DID MORE THAN MEET. THEY IDENTIFIED REAL COMMUNITY CHALLENGES AND BUILT PRACTICAL RESPONSES. PARTICIPANTS STRENGTHENED SKILLS IN: PROJECT MANAGEMENT BUDGETING CONFLICT RESOLUTION TEAM COMMUNICATION PUBLIC LEADERSHIPYOUTH ACTION COUNCIL, OPEN TO AGES 13 TO 15, COMPLETED A DIRECT SERVICE PROJECT DESIGNED AND LED BY STUDENTS. YOUTH PHILANTHROPY COUNCIL, FOR GRADES 10 TO 12, MANAGED A COMPETITIVE, YOUTH LED GRANT PROCESS. STUDENTS REVIEWED PROPOSALS, DEBATED FUNDING PRIORITIES, AND AWARDED 20,000 DOLLARS TO FIVE LOCAL NONPROFITS.SUMMER AMBASSADORS EXTENDED THIS LEADERSHIP INTO THE SUMMER MONTHS, WITH YOUTH LEADING MULTIPLE SERVICE EVENTS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY. OUR IN SCHOOL CHANGEMAKERS PROGRAMS PARTNERED DIRECTLY WITH SCHOOLS TO HOST REGULAR LEADERSHIP MEETINGS AND SERVICE PROJECTS DURING THE ACADEMIC DAY.TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMS MOVED STUDENTS FROM PARTICIPATION TO OWNERSHIP.
  2. $112,517 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTIN 2025, MORE THAN 600 YOUTH FROM 60 SCHOOLS SERVED THROUGH YOUTHSERVE. THEY CONTRIBUTED OVER 3,000 SERVICE HOURS ACROSS 42 EVENTS. STUDENTS SUPPORTED ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE SALVATION ARMY, EAST LAKE FARMERS MARKET SENIOR BASKET PROGRAM, AND COOL GREEN TREES. SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES OCCURRED AT LEAST MONTHLY, OFTEN MORE FREQUENTLY. PROGRAMS REMAINED OPEN YEAR ROUND TO ANY STUDENT AGES 13 TO 18, WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE ENROLLED IN A LEADERSHIP COUNCIL. YOUTH ALSO LAUNCHED INDEPENDENT SERVICE PROJECTS AND DONATION DRIVES, EXPANDING IMPACT BEYOND STRUCTURED EVENTS. THE RESULT IS CONSISTENT ENGAGEMENT, NOT ONE TIME VOLUNTEERING.
  3. $28,129 spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACHYOUTHSERVE BRINGS CIVIC EDUCATION DIRECTLY INTO SCHOOLS THROUGH WORKSHOPS FOR GRADES 7 TO 12. STUDENTS LEARN HOW LOCAL SYSTEMS WORK, HOW TO IDENTIFY COMMUNITY NEEDS, AND HOW TO TAKE ACTION. THROUGH YOUTH IN SERVICE AWARDS, STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE SUBMIT SERVICE PROJECTS FOR RECOGNITION. NOMINATIONS OPEN IN THE FALL. FINALISTS ARE HONORED AT A SPRING AWARDS CEREMONY. YOUTHSERVE ALSO PARTNERS WITH EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS TO HOST WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS FOCUSED ON LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY, AND PRACTICAL SKILL BUILDING. THE FOCUS REMAINS SIMPLE. EQUIP YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE TOOLS TO LEAD. THEN GIVE THEM REAL OPPORTUNITIES TO DO 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

  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 October 13, 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 December 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 September 2001.

    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 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.