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Joint Initiatives for Youth and Families

EIN 84-1317347 · Colorado Spgs, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak42 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

JOINT INITIATIVES SERVES AS A CATALYST FOR EFFECTING CHANGE BY WORKING COLLECTIVELY WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO FOSTER INNOVATION AND ENGAGE LEADERS TO PROMOTE POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES. (CONTINUED ON SCH O)(CONTINUED) JOINT INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES (JI) SERVES AS THE BACKBONE AGENCY BRINGING TOGETHER SYSTEMS SERVING THE PIKES PEAK REGION'S MOST VULNERABLE YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 0-21 AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ADDRESS GAPS AND ISSUES DIFFICULT FOR ONE ORGANIZATION TO SOLVE ALONE. JI UNIFIES THREE LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES: THE EL PASO COUNTY EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL ALLIANCE FOR KIDS (AFK) , THE 4TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT'S JUVENILE SERVICES PLANNING COMMITTEE (JSPC), AND THE COUNTY'S INTERAGENCY OVERSIGHT GROUP (IOG). IN 2021, THE JSPC AND IOG MERGED EFFORTS THROUGH THE REACH COMMITTEE. ACCORDINGLY, JI PROGRAMS COLLABORATE WITH MORE THAN 40 COMMUNITY LEADERS INCLUDING AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT, YOUTH AND FAMILIES.

Income
$5.3 million
Spending
$5.5 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 92%
Employees
45
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$151,700, ceo

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: 42 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 (2)
  1. $2.2 million spent. FOUNDATIONS DEPARTMENT: JI PROVIDED UNIVERSAL PRE-K SERVICES TO 4,088 CHILDREN IN EL PASO COUNTY, WITH 6,809 SEATS ACROSS 230 PROGRAMS, ENSURING THAT 89% OF APPLICANTS WERE SUCCESSFULLY MATCHED TO CARE AND CONNECTED TO EARLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS. JI STRENGTHENED THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE BY SUPPORTING 782 PROFESSIONALS THROUGH 1,383 HOURS OF CAREER NAVIGATION, WALKING ALONGSIDE EDUCATORS AS THEY EXPLORED PATHWAYS, ACCESSED EDUCATION, AND TOOK STEPS TO GROW OR ENTER THE FIELD. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)(CONTINUED) JI IMPLEMENTED EMBEDDED EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, PROVIDING 1,372 HOURS OF CONSULTATION, SUPPORTING UP TO 210 CHILDREN, AND HELPING 69% OF CHILDREN AT RISK OF EXPULSION REMAIN IN CARE BY WORKING DIRECTLY WITH STAFF AND FAMILIES TO STABILIZE CLASSROOMS.JI SUPPORTED EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS THROUGH 637 HOURS OF COACHING ACROSS 55 PROGRAMS, HELPING PROVIDERS STRENGTHEN PRACTICE, MOVE FORWARD IN COLORADO SHINES, AND EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY CARE IN A CHALLENGING AND SHIFTING LANDSCAPE. JI CONTINUED TO LEAD THE FAMILY FRIENDLY INITIATIVE, BRINGING TOGETHER OVER 100 COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO TAKE ON CHILD CARE CHALLENGES ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY, FROM PUBLIC AWARENESS AND WORKFORCE TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND POLICY, WHILE ALSO EXPLORING LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SOLUTIONS.
  2. $2.9 million spent. PATHWAYS DEPARTMENT: THE LAUNCH OF THE ASCEND CENTER MARKS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN THE PIKES PEAK REGION'S RESPONSE TO YOUTH IN CRISIS. BY INTEGRATING TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, EVIDENCE-BASED ASSESSMENTS, AND STRONG MULTI-AGENCY PARTNERSHIPS, JI HAS ESTABLISHED A FOUNDATION FOR ACCESSIBLE, COORDINATED SUPPORT. WHILE KEY COMPONENTS-SUCH AS YOUTH SHELTER, SUMMER PROGRAMMING, AND A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY-WIDE EVALUATIONARE STILL BEING IMPLEMENTED, THE PROGRESS MADE IN 2025 POSITIONS THE RISE UP! PROGRAM FOR MEANINGFUL GROWTH AND EXPANDED IMPACT. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)(CONTINUED) IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GALILEO MIDDLE SCHOOL, JI HAS ALSO DEEPENED ITS FOCUS ON OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH BY PROVIDING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, CAREER EXPLORATION, AND LIFE SKILLS (CONTINUED ON SCH O) PROGRAMMING. THIS YEAR, CONNECTION CIRCLES WERE INTRODUCED DURING ADVISORY PERIODS, ENSURING ALL STUDENTS COULD ENGAGE IN RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING PRACTICES THAT FOSTER UNDERSTANDING AND PEER SUPPORT. ADDITIONALLY, COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOL STAFF REVITALIZED THE COMMUNITY GARDEN, CREATING A SPACE FOR HANDS-ON LEARNING, FOOD ACCESS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.

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? 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 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 February 1996.

    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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