Science Technology Outdoor Activities Knowledge Entrepreneurs
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Youth Empowerment provides free skill training and classes to youth under 18 not primarily involved in sports or other school community activities. Families are encouraged to join events like pottery and skiing. STOKEs instructors offer mentorship leading to positive outcomes for students. All classes are free. We are creating outdoor experiences to reduce screen time. Our mission is to help youth discover their talents and engage in our programs. Enthusiasm and a desire to grow are all thats required.
- Income
- $154,312
- Spending
- $149,209
- Reserves
- 9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 60%
- Highest pay
- $6,600, director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
- $15,087 spent. We offer three levels of robotics STEM programs for 3rd to 12th-grade students. Some use advanced LEGO kits and tablets to create robots while older students build their own. They compete at state national and global levels with many scholarship and job prospects. All programs are free relying on donations and grants. Weve secured various grants including a $20,000 two-year grant not recorded in this fiscal year and a smaller $2500 grant. Limited instructors affect funding for younger kids programs impacting class availability. Despite challenges weve served up to 100 youth in our small county.
- $37,014 spent. Our pottery classes have been successful since the startup in 2023. We have served over 80 afterschool students and over 20 independent youth plus several adults who pay for the use of the guild and equipment which subsidizes the program. We pay $1100 mo. rent on the building and instructor costs of over $1000 mo. We have over $35000 worth of equipment plus donated articles too. We have helped several disadvantaged youth with different mental challenges and capabilities through this program.
- $10,493 spent. We have Various other programs which are smaller and run at various times but do not have consistent schedules. Some are clinics which are expensive but have returned great results such as the clinic MAPS Media Institute provided our 12 students with many media skills. We have cooking sewing and fly tying classes and have formed a ski club. We have helped the kids participate in various fun events such as parades and doing service work at our various fundraisers. The kids have really shined at these events. Many of our youth have benefited from these programs by overcoming various impediments physical and mental which is one of our goals. We have served over 50 more youth in these programs in a years time with many of the kids participating in several of the different classes and events. We are supported by many people in the community and school as we provide programs that the school and community do not provide or cant afford.
- No other expenses
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 June 2025.
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 April 2021.
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 October 21, 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.