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Urban Youth Collaborative

EIN 90-0355477 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PRESENTING LIFE OPTIONS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO URBAN YOUTH IN SAN DIEGO (CA), SACRAMENTO/GRASS VALLEY (CA), COLUMBIA (SC), ATLANTA (GA), SPOKANE (WA), TIJUANA (MX), AND ADDIS ABABA (ET).

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
24
Highest pay
$143,973, ceo and founder

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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (14)
  1. $2.0 million spent. PRESENTING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO URBAN YOUTH IN SAN DIEGO (CA), SACRAMENTO/GRASS VALLEY (CA), COLUMBIA (SC), ATLANTA (GA), SPOKANE (WA), TIJUANA (MX), AND ADDIS ABABA (ET).
  2. $44,324 spent. VISION NIGHT FUNDRAISING BANQUET: IN 2025, URBAN YOUTH COLLABORATIVE HOSTED A SUCCESSFUL VISION NIGHT FUNDRAISING BANQUET THAT RAISED OVER $100,000 IN GIFTS AND FUTURE PLEDGES FOR THE MINISTRYS CONTINUED OUTREACH AND EVANGELISM WORK WITH GENERATION Z AND GENERATION ALPHA.
  3. $30,586 spent. PROJECT 25 COMMUNITY SERVICE CHALLENGE: EACH YEAR, STUDENTS FROM 30-50 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CLUBS PERFORM OVER VOLUNTEER SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN DIEGO, MEXICO, AND ATLANTA. WE CHALLENGE YOUNG LEADERS TO READ THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS IN MATTHEW 25. THEY PRAYERFULLY IDENTIFY A NEED IN THEIR SCHOOL, CITY, OR WORLD THAT THEY WANTED TO MEET IN THE NAME OF JESUS. THEN, THEY MADE A SHORT VIDEO GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF HOW THEY PUT THE FUNDS TO WORK ON BEHALF OF OTHERS. WE HOST ALL CLUBS AT A RED CARPET AWARDS CELEBRATION. COMMUNITY LEADERS PRESENT TROPHIES TO THE 1ST, 2ND, AND 3RD PLACE PROJECTS THAT MADE THE MOST INCREDIBLE IMPACT WITH THEIR RESOURCES. OVER THE YEARS, STUDENTS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SUCH PROJECTS AS PURCHASING THE FREEDOM OF SLAVES IN SUDAN, DRILLING FRESH WATER WELLS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, DESIGNING AN ANTI-BULLYING MURAL AT A SCHOOL WHERE BULLYING CAUSED A SUICIDE, FEEDING THE HOMELESS, SHARING THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT JESUS WITH FRIENDS, CLEANING UP BEACHES, AND OTHER MEANINGFUL OUTREACH EVENTS FOR THE COMMUNITY. DURING THE PAST EIGHTEEN YEARS OVER 350,000 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE HAS BEEN GENERATED BY STUDENTS LEADERS WHO RAISED OVER $250,000 TOWARD KINGDOM CAUSES (LOCAL AND GLOBAL) THAT JESUS CARES ABOUT.
  4. WEEKLY PROGRAM: OVER 8,000 YOUNG PEOPLE HEAR THE GOSPEL EVERY WEEK THROUGH THE STUDENT-INITIATED, STUDENT-LED FAITH CLUBS, AND PUBLIC SCHOOL CAMPUS MEETINGS THAT TAKE PLACE AT MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS IN SAN DIEGO (CA), SACRAMENTO/GRASS VALLEY (CA), COLUMBIA (SC), ATLANTA (GA), SPOKANE (WA), TIJUANA (MX), AND ADDIS ABABA (ET). WE PROVIDE PHYSICAL FOOD, SPIRITUAL FOOD, DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES, SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE, AND ADOLESCENT GOAL-SETTING TRAINING EVERY WEEK TO STUDENTS WHO MAY NOT HEAR ABOUT JESUS OTHERWISE. THIS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR COALITION OF 100 LOCAL CHURCHES THAT COLLABORATE TOGETHER TO SUPPORT STUDENT LEADERS. WE ALSO OFFER MENTORING, TUTORING, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND SPORTS MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES.
  5. SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION DAY: THROUGHOUT EACH SCHOOL YEAR, UYC HOSTS A SERIES OF SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY. ALTOGETHER, A HUNDRED OR MORE VOLUNTEERS WORK ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES IN THE SOUTH BAY, INNER-CITY SAN DIEGO, EAST COUNTY, AND UP IN NORTH COUNTY, DEPENDING ON THE YEAR. BY MATCHING A CHURCHS CAPACITY WITH THE SCHOOLS NEEDS, WE ENVISION PROJECTS THAT RANGE FROM PAINTING, WEED REMOVAL, AND TRASH PICK-UP TO HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION.
  6. FCA SUMMER CAMP: IN 2025, UYC TRANSPLANTED 133 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INTO THE SOIL OF POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY FOR A TRANSFORMATIONAL WEEK OF FCA SPORTS CAMP. THANKS TO THIS GENEROUS PARTNERSHIP WITH FCA, EACH STUDENT RECEIVES A SCHOLARSHIP TO EAT IN THE CAFETERIA, SLEEP IN THE DORMS, PRACTICE ON THE COURTS/FIELDS, AND EXPERIENCE LIFE ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS. IN THE EVENING, CAMPERS ATTEND A DYNAMIC TEAM CHAPEL SERVICE WITH POWERFUL WORSHIP AND BIBLICAL TEACHING. MANY STUDENTS MAKE COMMITMENTS TO CHRIST OR REDEDICATE THEIR LIVES TO JESUS. A WEEK AT COLLEGE ALSO PLANTS THE SEED OF PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE MINDS OF STUDENTS WHO MAY NOT THINK OF THEMSELVES AS COLLEGE-BOUND OTHERWISE. FCA PROVIDES OVER $60,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUALLY TO MAKE THIS CAMP POSSIBLE FOR UYC KIDS. WHILE THESE FUNDS DO NOT COME THROUGH UYCS BOOKS, THEY GO DIRECTLY TO CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS THAT BENEFIT STUDENTS WE SERVE. OVER THE PAST EIGHTEEN YEARS, UYC HAS SENT 100-150 STUDENTS ANNUALLY TO THIS LIFE-CHANGING CAMP EXPERIENCE.
  7. FOOD FOR HUNGRY FAMILIES FACING FOOD INSECURITY: IN ADDITION TO FOOD FOR WEEKLY FAITH CLUBS AND SPORTS TEAMS, UYC PROVIDED RESTAURANT AND GROCERY CARDS FOR HUNGRY STUDENTS IN SAN DIEGO AND MEXICO.
  8. DISCIPLESHIP: UYC TOOK OVER 123 STUDENTS THROUGH A PERSONALIZED DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM DESIGNED TO GROW THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND TEACH THEM TO BECOME REPRODUCING FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST.
  9. ONLINE & IN-PERSON TRAINING: THROUGH LIVE OUTDOOR EVENTS AND ONLINE GATHERINGS, UYC DEVELOPED TRAINING EXPERIENCES THAT EQUIPPED YOUTH WORKERS TO ENGAGE GEN Z AND GEN ALPHA EFFECTIVELY ON CAMPUS, VIRTUALLY, AND IN DIVERSE COMMUNITIES IN SAN DIEGO AND BEYOND. OUR ONLINE PRESENCE CONTINUES TO REACH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE YEAR YEAR.
  10. IN 2025,URBAN YOUTH COLLABORATIVE CONTINUED CONVERSATIONS WITH MINISTRIES IN ETHIOPIA ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF EXPANDING OUR WORK INTO MORE COUNTRIES.
  11. IN 2025, DR. LANDIS BOOK GOD WANTS HIS KIDS BACK WAS TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH AND AMHARIC TO EXPAND UYCS WORK IN AFRICAN AND LATIN AMERICA.
  12. LOCALIZED LATE LUNCH LEARNING LABS: URBAN YOUTH COLLABORATIVE HOSTED LOCAL LEARNING LABS TO INSPIRE AND TRAIN PASTORS TO REACH STUDENTS BY EMPOWERING THEIR CONGREGATIONS FOR OUTREACH ON PUBLIC SCHOOL CAMPUSES THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND BEYOND.
  13. SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION PROGRAM CONTINUES: URBAN YOUTH COLLABORATIVE RECEIVED TWO FEDERAL GRANTS FOR WORK IN CALIFORNIA AND ONE STATE-BASED GRANT FOR WORK IN SOUTH CAROLINA. THE INITIATIVE ALLOWS US TO TAKE 1,300 VULNERABLE YOUTH THROUGH A CURRICULUM THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE LIFELONG BENEFITS OF VOLUNTARY ABSTINENCE UNTIL MARRIAGE. PROGRAM GOALS ALSO INCLUDE REDUCING DATING VIOLENCE, STIS, AND TEEN PREGNANCIES.
  14. COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FUNDS: IN 2025, 26 DESERVING SENIORS NOMINATED BY UYC RECEIVED LAUNCH FUNDING FOR COLLEGE THROUGH AN INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARIS ELIJAH PUGAL FOUNDATION (AEPF). THIS BEAUTIFUL PARTNERSHIP HONORS YOUNG PEOPLE WHO SERVE GOD FAITHFULLY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN MEMORY OF ARIS ELIJAH PUGAL WHO LOST HIS LIFE THROUGH A TRAGIC ACT OF VIOLENCE. THE LEGACY OF ELIJAH AND THE PUGAL FAMILY LIVES ON THROUGH THIS GOD-ORDAINED ANNUAL TRADITION THAT PREPARES THE NEXT GENERATION FOR LIVES OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE.

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

  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 December 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 February 2009.

    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.

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