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Hope for Youth

EIN 76-0363907 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Build and maintain long-term Christian mentoring relationships with urban youth to challenge and enable them to reach their full potential spiritually, academically, and socially. See Schedule O.We serve at-risk youth in grades 6th to 12th. Our unique focus is we seek out transient youth and proactively maintain relationships with them regardless of where they may move throughout Houston.

Income
$244,184
Spending
$254,430
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
6
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$3,083, executive director (beg 12/2024)

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: 40 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 59% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (4)
  1. $63,193 spent. Large Group Programs and Activities: Friday Night Live (FNL) AKA Friday Night With The Fam is our primary large group program throughout the year. Active youth are encouraged to invite their friends to join them. Usually held two Fridays per month, a typical night starts off with dinner, games, and fellowship before hearing a short devotion/message followed by smallgroup discussion about the topic. Our goal is to have a caring and inviting atmosphere where students can not only lay their worries aside, but also build relationships with adult volunteers who expose them to the gospel of Jesus Christ. See Schedule O.Our hope is that the youth get plugged into this community, form positive and lasting relationships with the other youth, keep coming back to FNL, and also get involved in our other programs. We also have a weeklong vacation bible school (JNTH) in the summer which features high energy fun and games, bible verse memorization, gospel rap artists, speakers and small group breakout time. Other weekend activities include fun social outings such as ice skating, service projects for our youth to give back to the community, educational experiences, and attending special church programs.
  2. $51,586 spent. Camps and Retreats: For many youth, our camp and retreat outings are among the highlight of their year. These activities are directly targeted and designed for students who find themselves in an urban setting and in at-risk situations. A bus load of our youth attend a Christian sports camp in Missouri for a week in the summer. We sometimes also send some of our other youth to attend camp at a Christian ranch in Texas. In the spring we have a large weekend retreat at a Christian camp in Texas. Every year students come back and share how these experiences literally changed their lives.
  3. $35,843 spent. Mentoring & Small Group Discipleship: Our small group disciple program is centered around creating deep and lasting one-on-one relationships between our most committed youth and volunteers. This program includes biblical studies on living a Christ-centered life and building Christ-centered relationships all in an effort to prepare our youth for a satisfying and successful walk with Christ. Mentors also get to know their youth well enough to help them address academic and social issues. This program uses small-group and one-on-one time to build the relationships necessary for lasting change. Mentors are volunteers and our Staff Members also work closely with many of our youth.
  4. $9,693 spent. G3 (Guys, Girls and God) is our Leadership and College and Career Prep program. We help our high schoolers with guidance on college, entrepreneurship, careers in the military and vocational jobs. Also teaches life skills.

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

  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 August 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 August 1992.

    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.