Southwest Key Programs Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION IS OPENING DOORS TO OPPORTUNITY, SO INDIVIDUALS CAN ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.
- Income
- $496.1 million
- Spending
- $585.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- -0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 99%
- Employees
- 11,352
- Volunteers
- 4
- Highest pay
- $1.2 million, president and chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 17 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 83% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 46% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 5 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 August 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 (2)
- $501.9 million spent. FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, SOUTHWEST KEY PROGRAMS HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PARTNER IN THE U.S. RESPONSE TO THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS AT OUR SOUTHERN BORDER, SHELTERING IMMIGRANT CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE WHO ARRIVE IN THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN AND UNIFYING THEM WITH THEIR PARENTS, RELATIVES, OR A SPONSOR. SOUTHWEST KEY'S UNACCOMPANIED MINOR (UM) SHELTERS ARE PART OF A FEDERAL SHELTER SYSTEM THAT WAS CREATED AS A RESULT OF THE 1997 FLORES SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT. OUR UM SHELTERS ARE FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. OTHERS WERE ESCAPING POVERTY, SEARCHING FOR REFUGE AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS, OR SEEKING UNIFICATION WITH FAMILY MEMBERS ALREADY IN THE U.S. WITHIN 24 HOURS OF A CHILD'S ARRIVAL AT A SOUTHWEST KEY FACILITY, OUR CASE MANAGERS BEGIN WORKING ON THE PROCESS OF UNIFICATION. FIRST, WE CONTACT THE CHILD'S FAMILY IN HIS OR HER HOME COUNTRY AND THEN REACH OUT TO THE CHILD'S CONTACTS AND PROSPECTIVE SPONSORS IN THE U.S. WHILE POTENTIAL SPONSORS ARE SCREENED, SOUTHWEST KEY PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH CARE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO THRIVE IN A SAFE, HOME-LIKE, AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. WITHIN 48 HOURS OF ENTERING OUR FACILITIES, ALL CHILDREN RECEIVE FULL MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS. THEY ARE ALSO SCREENED FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND RECEIVE ALL CDC-RECOMMENDED IMMUNIZATIONS. SOUTHWEST KEY MEDICAL STAFF PROVIDE BASIC MEDICAL CARE 24 HOURS A DAY. CHILDREN WHO REQUIRE EXAMINATIONS BY SPECIALISTS OR HOSPITAL CARE ARE TRANSPORTED TO THE APPROPRIATE MEDICAL FACILITIES. IN ADDITION TO UNIFICATION, MEDICAL AND COUNSELING SERVICES, CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES, RELIGIOUS SERVICES, ACCULTURATION SERVICES, PHONE CALLS, MAIL SUPPLIES, AND POSTAGE. WE ALSO PROVIDE PERSONAL GROOMING AND HYGIENE SERVICES, SUCH AS HAIRCUTS, LAUNDRY, AND HOUSEKEEPING. YOUTH CAN CONNECT WITH SPONSORS OR FAMILY MEMBERS VIA PHONE AND VIDEO CALLS TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS WHILE IN OUR CARE. OUR PROGRAMS ARE DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE CHILDREN THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO THRIVE WHILE IN OUR CARE. EDUCATION IS VITALLY IMPORTANT, SO WE PROVIDE SIX HOURS OF CLASSROOM EDUCATION FIVE DAYS A WEEK. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT RECREATION, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS TO ALL CHILDREN, SO THEY ARE GIVEN AMPLE TIME TO PLAY AND RELAX OUTSIDE. WHERE POSSIBLE, WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTS, CRAFTS, MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT, AND SPECIAL EVENTS. SOUTHWEST KEY'S IN-HOUSE COOKS PROVIDE THREE NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND TWO SNACKS EVERY DAY.DURING THE LATTER PART OF FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE ORGANIZATION'S OPERATIONS UNDER THIS PROGRAM WERE SUBSTANTIALLY AFFECTED BY ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT (ORR"), INCLUDING THE JULY 18, 2025 TERMINATION OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS SUPPORTING THE PROGRAM. AS A RESULT, THE ORGANIZATION TRANSITIONED FROM PROVIDING SHELTER SERVICES TO CARRYING OUT AN ORDERLY WIND-DOWN OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL UAC OPERATIONS, INCLUDING FACILITY CLOSURES, WORKFORCE REDUCTIONS, GRANT CLOSE-OUT ACTIVITIES, AND OTHER CONTRACTUAL AND REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITIES. ACCORDINGLY, THE REPORTED PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND EXPENSES REFLECT BOTH SERVICES PROVIDED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR AND ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ORDERLY WIND-DOWN OF THE PROGRAM. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO PURSUE AVAILABLE ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REMEDIES RELATING TO THE TERMINATION OF THESE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS AND RELATED GRANT MATTERS.UM CHILDREN SERVED 43,054UM EMPLOYEES 9,491UM PROGRAMS 31
- $10.8 million spent. SOUTHWEST KEY'S YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAMS ARE BASED ON THE CORE PRINCIPLE THAT POSITIVE CHANGE CAN HAPPEN THOUGH THERAPEUTIC, EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS. OUR SERVICES ARE SHAPED BY EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND YOUTH AGENCY, ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH STAFF RAISED IN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. BY PROVIDING ALTERNATIVES TO CHILDREN WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE COURT SYSTEM, YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES ENABLES THEM TO STAY AT HOME WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND STAY INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THROUGH YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN ARE PROVIDED WITH STRUCTURE AND SERVICES THAT PROMOTE POSITIVE BEHAVIORS AND EXPERIENCES. OUR CASE WORKERS PARTNER WITH FAMILIES TO ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND SOCIAL ISSUES, SUCH AS HELPING WITH THE TRANSITION BACK HOME FROM A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY OR INSTITUTION, ASSISTING PARENTS WITH EMPLOYMENT AND CHILDCARE, AND WORKING WITH SCHOOL STAFF TO MEET ACADEMIC OR PERSONAL NEEDS. OUR PROGRAMS TRACK THE PROGRESS YOUTH ARE MAKING WHILE HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. THESE COMPONENTS WORK TOGETHER TO SET THE FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS, NOW AND TOMORROW.OUR STAFF PARTNER WITH YOUTH, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND SOCIAL ISSUES, SUCH AS HELPING WITH THE TRANSITION BACK HOME FROM A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY OR INSTITUTION, ASSISTING PARENTS TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN BY CONNECTING THEM TO OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERS, NATURAL SUPPORTS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS TO ASSIST WITH MEETING BASIC NEEDS, AND EMPOWERING YOUTH TO REACH GOALS TO BETTER THEIR CURRENT SITUATION. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE EDUCATION FOR YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN EXPELLED FROM THEIR HOME CAMPUSES. OUR STAFF WORK WITH STUDENTS TO HELP THEM MEET ACADEMIC OR PERSONAL GOALS. YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES OFFERS EDUCATION, CASE MANAGEMENT, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, MONITORING, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS WITH THE GOAL OF KEEPING YOUTH AND FAMILIES TOGETHER, IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS.YFS CHILDREN SERVED 5,301YFS EMPLOYEES 225YFS PROGRAMS 59TOTAL CHILDREN SERVED 48,355TOTAL EMPLOYEES 9,716TOTAL PROGRAMS 90
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 June 1988.
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.