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Bright Futures for Youth

EIN 68-0262000 · Grass Valley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To ignite the potential of youth today for vibrant communities tomorrow. We offer positive experiences, environments and relationships and a foundation for youth to grow, learn and develop into happy, self-sufficient young adults.

Income
$3.5 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
-0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
57
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$84,764, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% 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 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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, 2024, 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. $1.2 million spent. Bright Futures for Youth has three core programs: The Friendship Club, a long-term program that provides year-round academic, social and emotional support for girls in sixth grade through high school. NEO (New Events & Opportunities), a fun, safe and supervised place after school and during the summer for all genders ages 11-25 with a Drop-in Youth Center. SAFE (Stability, Access, Foundation, Empowerment) helps 12- to 25-year-old youth experiencing homelessness, providing basic needs, access to housing and community services and an onsite Drop-in Center.
  2. $624,885 spent. Other BFFY Programs serve youth organization-wide. This includes our Kitchen and Nutrition program that provides free meals to youth in all programs and nutrition and cooking classes, and other smaller food-related programs/services throughout the year. Our Cinderella Project, which provides free formal wear for youth for school dances and special occasions. Our comprehensive programs include after-school meetings, summer camps and dozens of enrichment workshops, mentors, tutors, mental health and health care referrals and paths to college and career/trade school. An integral part of our program is the interaction between young people and adult role models. BFFY programs are provided at no cost to youth and their families.
  3. $68,698 spent. Friday Night Live/Club Live (FNL/CL) is an alcohol, drug and tobacco prevention program funded by Nevada County that uses positive youth development activities and lessons serving students at their school sites in grades 4-8, with efforts underway to involve 9-12th graders. We run seven chapters at six schools where youth remain in their cohorts as they advance through school. At these meetings, we also educate youth about BFFY after-school programs and encourage participation to make friends, have fun, explore their passions, get life-skills training and learn to make healthy choices.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 April 1992.

    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.

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.