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Young New Yorkers Inc

EIN 81-1465388 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 2012, YOUNG NEW YORKERS' RESTORATIVE ART DIVERSION PROGRAMS ALLOW YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXIT THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM, HAVE THEIR CASES DISMISSED AND SEALED, AND AVOID A LIFE-LONG CRIMINAL RECORD. IN ADDITION, OUR GRADUATE PROGRAMS OFFER LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO TRANSFORM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THROUGH ADVOCACY FORUMS, PUBLIC ART EXHIBITIONS, AND OTHER EVENTS. THESE EVENTS OFTEN TAKE PLACE IN COURTROOMS WHERE PARTICIPANTS CAN ENGAGE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS AND LEADERS AND ADVOCATE FOR A MORE HUMANE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM.IN TEN YEARS WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY DIVERTED MORE THAN 1,800 YOUNG PEOPLE AWAY FROM JAIL AND OTHER SANCTIONS. TODAY, WE REMAIN THE ONLY CITYWIDE PROVIDER OF ARTS-BASED DIVERSION PROGRAMS.

Income
$411,261
Spending
$481,424
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 55%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$151,885, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 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 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $285,165 spent. OUR RESTORATIVE ART-DIVERSION PROGRAM CONSISTS OF ONE-, TWO-, OR THREE-DAY STRUCTURED ART SESSIONS. RAD SESSIONS ARE TAUGHT BY TEACHING ARTISTS INCLUDING YNY GRADUATES AND OTHER CREDIBLE MESSENGERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM. YNY ORGANIZES RAD WORKSHOPS FOR APPROXIMATELY 300 PARTICIPANTS EACH YEAR.YNY HOLDS MONTHLY GRADUATE PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO STAY INVOLVED IN OUR COMMUNITY FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THEIR SESSION MANDATE. IN 2021, YNY LAUNCHED ITS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. YNY FELLOWS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN WEEKLY YNY STAFF MEETINGS TO SHARE INSIGHTS INTO HOW YNY CAN EVOLVE AS AN ORGANIZATION. FELLOWS ALSO CO-FACILITATE RAD SESSIONS PROVIDING PEER MENTORSHIP FOR NEW PARTICIPANTS, HELPING NEW THEM TO INVESTIGATE THEIR PERSONAL CHOICES WHILE ADVOCATING FOR LEGAL SYSTEMS CHANGE. RAD PROGRAMS TYPICALLY CULMINATE IN COURTROOM EXHIBITIONS, ATTENDED BY POLICE OFFICERS, JUDGES, AND LAWYERS, TO "RE-MEET" PARTICIPANTS IN A NEW CONTEXT AND SEE YOUNG NEW YORKERS BEYOND THEIR RAP SHEETS. YOUNG NEW YORKERS RECENTLY COLLABORATED WITH MOMA PS1 TO HOLD ITS FIRST EVER VIRTUAL EXHIBITION. CURATED BY GRADUATES OF YNY'S PROGRAMS, THIS PUBLIC EXHIBIT GAVE YOUNG PEOPLE A PLATFORM TO USE THEIR CREATIVITY AND POWERFUL VOICES TO BRING PUBLIC ATTENTION TO THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM, AND THEIR VISIONS FOR ITS REFORM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2019 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2019.

    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 June 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 May 2021.

    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.

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