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La Plata Youth Services Inc

EIN 84-1265550 · Durango, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

La Plata Youth Services, Inc. supports and advocates for youth facing challenges in school, home and court.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
17
Highest pay
$98,274, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 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

    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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (5)
  1. $470,077 spent. La Plata County collaborative management program (LPC CMP): LPYS is the backbone agency for a collaboration among youth-serving agencies that supports youth with complex needs in our community. The La Plata County CMP connects students, families, schools and other stakeholders through an Integrated Services and Support Team (ISST). The ISST functions as an integrated service planning model to bring resources and youth agencies together to better serve youth and their families. The Radical Possibilities Mentoring program and Communities-In Schools Partnership Program are prevention programs of the CMP.
  2. $262,987 spent. LPYS juvenile diversion program: the LPYS youth diversion program provides an alternative, voluntary option for youth at-risk of entering the juvenile justice system. Our process is youth-centered and restorative in nature, providing opportunities for the youth to repair harm and build connection. Diversion services focus on increasing protective factors, resiliency, and overall well-being.
  3. $111,162 spent. Communities-In-School Partnership (CISP) program: the Communities-In-Schools Partnership provides school-based mental and behavioral health services to students who face barriers to accessing care through individual and group sessions. Our goal is to improve overall youth wellbeing and resilience. This is done through collaboration with local agencies and community partners who provide therapeutic services to young people in a school setting.
  4. $109,536 spent. The HUB: The HUB therapeutic program is an innovative educational model founded on a therapeutic approach to learning and development for students, in grades 6-12, with significant emotional, behavioral, or psychological challenges. Piloted in 2020-2021, this strategic partnership between Durango School District 9R, La Plata Youth Services, and the Child Wellness Center, among other community-based agencies, brings together specialized expertise in a central location. The targeted population includes youth who are impacted by adverse childhood experiences or academic barriers connected to mental health.
  5. $102,067 spent. Radical Possibilities (RP) Mentoring Program: The RP Mentoring Program serves youth in grades 6-12 who are facing adverse life conditions that affect their well-being and ability to engage positively in their lives. Through the support of skilled mentors, LPYS helps youth become more empowered and resilient in the face of life's challenges. Youth have the opportunity to engage one-on-one with their mentors as well as participate in group activities leading them to increased self-confidence and a sense of belonging in their community.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.