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Riyo Refugee and Immigrant Youth Organization

EIN 92-2465943 · Waterloo, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT YOUTH ORGANIZATION (RIYO) IS A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION FOUNDED BY REFUGEES WITH THE MISSION TO EXPAND THE WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES FOR REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT YOUTH IN WATERLOO. RIYO IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION, SELF-EXPLORATION, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WHILE REMOVING BARRIERS AND NURTURING LEADERSHIP SKILLS AMONG REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Income
$190,972
Spending
$138,665
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
18.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
1
Volunteers
6

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $32,850 spent. THE NEWCOMER PROGRAM SUPPORTS RECENTLY ARRIVED REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AS THEY ADJUST TO SCHOOL AND LIFE IN THE U.S. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON BUILDING ENGLISH CONFIDENCE, UNDERSTANDING SCHOOL SYSTEMS, AND CREATING A SENSE OF BELONGING THROUGH ACADEMIC SUPPORT, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND PEER CONNECTION.
  2. $41,250 spent. THE YOUTH NAVIGATOR PROGRAM DEVELOPS LEADERSHIP IN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT BACKGROUNDS. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE TRAINING IN COMMUNICATION, GOAL-SETTING, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WHILE SUPPORTING YOUNGER STUDENTS AND SUPPORTING PROGRAMS LIKE SUMMER KIDS CLUB.
  3. $22,770 spent. SUMMER KIDS CLUB IS A SIX-WEEK PROGRAM FOR K5 STUDENTS THAT FOCUSES ON LITERACY, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES. LED BY TRAINED YOUTH LEADERS, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES A SAFE, FUN, AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS BUILD ACADEMIC SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE DURING THE SUMMER.

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 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 December 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 March 2024.

    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.