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Valo

EIN 83-3292625 · Freeport, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We believe in the power of teens to build community, one meaningful connection at a time. We believe in teens' capacity to discover who they are, what they believe, and their ability to bring light and love to the world. Valo creates spaces where teens can get away from it all, feel independent, unplug, and have fun. A place of belonging for youth to have deep conversations and feel empowered as they ignite a future with hope.

Income
$260,800
Spending
$440,877
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
18.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
11
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$130,250, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 69% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    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 December 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 (6)
  1. $96,983 spent. Partner: Valo continued significant outreach to schools and other youth-serving organizations in 2025. Each partner program was a 1-night, 2-day retreat for the group, and then Valo staff met periodically following the retreat to continue mentoring the participants in conversation skills. In some cases the organization or school paid, and in other we had grants or individual donors to cover the costs.
  2. $63,799 spent. Ripple: Took teens on 6 weekend retreats in 2025. On these retreats, guides helped teens come to know themselves and learn how to connect meaningfully with others (while unplugged) through communal living, conversation, time in nature, creating, time to themselves, safe risk taking, and journal reflections. Additionally, seniors in the group took on leadership roles by designing and leading many aspect of the retreats, most significantly group conversations.
  3. $61,892 spent. Twilight: Took teens on 6 weekend retreats in 2025. On these retreats, guides helped teens come to know themselves and learn how to connect meaningfully with others (while unplugged) through communal living, conversation, time in nature, creating, time to themselves, safe risk taking, and journal reflections. Additionally, seniors in the group took on leadership roles by designing and leading many aspect of the retreats, most significantly group conversations.
  4. $60,178 spent. Tides: Took teens on 6 weekend retreats in 2025. On these retreats, guides helped teens come to know themselves and learn how to connect meaningfully with others (while unplugged) through communal living, conversation, time in nature, creating, time to themselves, safe risk taking, and journal reflections. Additionally, seniors in the group took on leadership roles by designing and leading many aspect of the retreats, most significantly group conversations.
  5. $55,150 spent. Equinox: Took teens on 6 weekend retreats in 2025. On these retreats, guides helped teens come to know themselves and learn how to connect meaningfully with others (while unplugged) through communal living, conversation, time in nature, creating, time to themselves, safe risk taking, and journal reflections. Additionally, seniors in the group took on leadership roles by designing and leading many aspect of the retreats, most significantly group conversations.
  6. $17,528 spent. Exploratory: Took teens on 6 weekend retreats in 2025. On these retreats, guides helped teens come to know themselves and learn how to connect meaningfully with others (while unplugged) through communal living, conversation, time in nature, creating, time to themselves, safe risk taking, and journal reflections. Additionally, seniors in the group took on leadership roles by designing and leading many aspect of the retreats, most significantly group conversations.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 November 6, 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 December 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 September 2019.

    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 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.