Focused on Growth Academy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Focused on Growth Academy is to support misguided youth to overcome systemic barriers and achieve independence. Through programs centered on personal development, mental and physical wellness, substance abuse recovery, career preparation, and community engagement, we strive to equip youth with the tools they need to lead resilient and fulfilling lives.
- Income
- $525,124
- Spending
- $385,585
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 4.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 87%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 44
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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1599% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $58,000 spent. Healing Through Habits is the Academys primary stability and wellness program. In 2025, the program utilized $58,000 in grant funding and significant in-kind community support to provide critical resources for justice-impacted scholars, including beds and clothing. By removing immediate survival-based stressors, the program stabilizes the physical environment of scholars, which is the necessary foundation for mental health and habit formation. Success is measured by the successful transition of scholars into stable routines and the reduction of recidivism risks.
- $325,167 spent. Seed Soul Soil is an innovative vocational rehabilitation and art program focused on furniture upcycling and sustainability education. Scholars are taught the technical skills of making the old look new again by refurbishing donated furniture into functional art. This program teaches resourcefulness, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial thinking. In 2025, the program provided hands-on workshops that allowed scholars to transform discarded items into community assets, fostering a sense of accomplishment, patience, and tangible skill-building that prepares them for the workforce.
- $327 spent. Self-Worth Before Net Worth is the foundational financial literacy and identity-building initiative of the Academy. In 2025, the program provided intensive curriculum focused on budgeting, credit building, and professional readiness, while simultaneously addressing the internal narratives of justice-impacted individuals. By prioritizing "self-worth" as a prerequisite for financial stability, the program empowers scholars to manage their economic futures with resilience, effectively breaking the cycle of poverty and justice involvement.
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
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 December 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 June 2025.
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.