Carmel Youth Assistance Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 21% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE CARMEL YOUTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CYAP) SERVES AS AN EARLY INTERVENTION ADVOCATE FOR YOUTH AGES 3-17 WHO ARE FACING CHALLENGING LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES. WE TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO COORDINATE OUR COMMUNITY'S VAST ARRAY OF TALENTS, SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO HELP YOUTH AND EMPOWER PARENT AND CARGIVERS.
- Income
- $286,675
- Spending
- $262,340
- Spent on programs
- 21%
- Reserves
- 24.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 42
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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 24.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 37% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 64% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1521% 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
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 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 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 (4)
- $3,534 spent. EVERY CHILD DESERVES TO HAVE A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL WHICH HE OR SHE CAN TRUST. THE YOUTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PARTNERS A CARING ADULT WITH A CHILD WHO NEEDS A MENTOR. THE MENTOR AND CHILD DO EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES TOGETHER SUCH AS PLAYING IN THE PARK, GOING TO A MOVIE OR LEARNING TO BALANCE A CHECKBOOK. CHILDREN MATCHED WITH A MENTOR DO BETTER IN SCHOOL, HAVE HIGHER SELF-ESTEEM AND MAKE BETTER CHOICES. A MENTOR WILL BE ASKED TO MAKE A ONE-YEAR COMMITMENT TO SPENDING AT LEAST ONE HOUR EACH WEEK WITH YOUR CHILD DOING THINGS YOU BOTH ENJOY WHILE YOU SERVE AS A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL. YOU WILL NOT BE EXPECTED TO SPEND LARGE SUMS OF MONEY. WHAT IS VALUABLE IS THAT YOU SHARE TIME TOGETHER AND HAVE FUN AS YOU INTRODUCE YOUR CHILD TO NEW EXPERIENCES. YOU WILL BE ASKED TO EMAIL A MENTOR REPORT SHEET AFTER EACH VISIT.
- $10,000 spent. STUDENTS WHO DEPEND ON TWO MEALS PER DAY AT SCHOOL AND BACKPACKS FULL OF FOOD FOR THE WEEKENDS IN THE PAST HAD NO RESOURCES DURING SUMMER BREAK. THE SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM TARGETED THESE CHILDREN PROVIDING THEM WITH FIVE HEALTHY BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES FOR EACH OF THE 11 WEEKS OF SUMMER BREAK. FAMILIES WERE ALSO PROVIDED WITH A WEEKLY MENU PLAN TAILORED TO THE AVAILABLE ITEMS. DELIVERY WAS AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES WHO DID NOT HAVE READILY AVAILABLE TRANSPORTATION.
- $26,022 spent. CHILD ADVOCATES SPEND FUNDS ON CHILDREN IN NEED FOR ITEMS SUCH AS SCHOOL SUPPLIES, CLOTHING ITEMS AND OTHER EXPENSES THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR THE CHILD TO SUCCEED.
- $15,906 spent. STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM WHO ARE STRUGGLING ACADEMICALLY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO TUTORS WHICH WE HELP INTRODUCE TO THOSE STUDENTS. THEY CAN RECEIVE HELP IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AT THE CARMEL PUBLIC LIBRARY.
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
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 November 6, 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 December 2024.
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 March 2016.
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 November 4, 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.