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Passes our checks

Fully Liberated Youth

EIN 85-4272767 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO HOLISTICALLY RESOURCE AND EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING OPRESSION, TRAUMA, GANG INVOLVEMENT, OR SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT SO THEY CAN CONTINUE BECOMING THE LIBERATED INDIVIDUALS OUR COMMUNITIES NEED.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 82%
Employees
18

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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. $1.1 million spent. FLY operates four interrelated programs that together provide a continuum of prevention, intervention, and reentry support: 1) School-Based Prevention Services (SBPS): Embedded mentorship, theraphy, and restorative practices within public schools to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline and foster safe, supportive learning environments. 2)Community-Based Intervention Services (CBIS): Therapy and peer mentorship for youth who are system- or gang-involved, focusing on mental health, conflict resolution, and reentry support. 3)Division of Youth Services Transition Services: Long-term reentry support for youth transitioning from incarceration back into the community. 4)Community and Policy Advocacy: Ensures youth voices influence systemic reform efforts in education, mental health, and justice systems through legislative and policy partnerships. Each program is grounded in healing-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally humble practices, led by qualified and trained staff. Over 95% of youth served live and attend school in Denver metro area priority neighborhoods. More than half of FLYs staff have direct experience with legal system involvement. Our service delivery model and our staff model what true community-based transformation looks like- centering radical relationships as pathways to lasting growth and healing.

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 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 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 April 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 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.