Academystay
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
AcademySTAY empowers transitional-aged foster youth by offering safe housing, skills training, and educational resources-enabling them to make informed decisions and transition toward independence with confidence
- Income
- $843,955
- Spending
- $804,269
- Spent on programs
- 53%
- Reserves
- 2.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $179,780, ceo
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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 49% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1553% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 68% 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
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 (1)
- $428,895 spent. In 2025, AcademySTAY completed its first full year of operations as a Sacramento-based nonprofit providing transitional housing and wraparound support to young adults transitioning from foster care who are actively pursuing post-secondary education or vocational training. AcademySTAYs model requires 100% of enrolled students to be engaged in an accredited college program, university degree program, or recognized vocational or trade certification as a condition of residency. This enrollment requirement is the foundation of the programs design and distinguishes AcademySTAY from traditional transitional housing models. During 2025, AcademySTAY served 52 unique student residents across its North Sacramento campus in Del Paso Heights (zip code 95815), providing 7,059 safe nights of housing over the course of the year. All four residential buildings, comprising 28 two- bedroom units with a combined capacity of 56 students, were fully renovated, furnished, and operational throughout 2025. Students reside in fully furnished units and contribute toward housing costs based on individual income and voucher eligibility, with subsidies toward housing costs based on individual income and voucher eligibility, with subsidies income thresholds. Students also received individualized one-on-one support, life skills education, financial literacy instruction, mentorship, educational guidance, and connections to community health and wellness resources. AcademySTAY partnered with SAFE Credit Union and JPMorgan Chase to deliver regular on- campus financial literacy and life skills instruction, connecting students to financial education and professional development resources in the Sacramento region. AcademySTAY continued strengthening partnerships with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, volunteers, and community-based service providers to expand resources and opportunities available to residents. AcademySTAY also engaged young adults with lived foster care experience as paid contributors during the organizations ongoing program development, incorporating their direct experience into the refinement of program guidelines, support structures, and community-building practices. This participatory approach reflects AcademySTAYs commitment to centering student voice in organizational decision-making. The organization expanded student support infrastructure in 2025 with the launch of a clothing closet and hygiene supply program, providing students with access to professional attire and personal care items. AcademySTAY also received a $10,000 grant from Soroptimist International to provide four electric bicycles, improving transportation access for students traveling to school, employment, and appointments throughout the Sacramento region. Students achieved notable individual milestones during 2025, including completion of a high school diploma through Job Corps, an EMT workforce certification through EMSCorp, a home construction training certification through HBI BuildStrong Academy, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Sacramento State University. These outcomes reflect the direct impact of housing stability on educational persistence and workforce readiness for a population that faces significant structural barriers to degree and credential completion. AcademySTAY continued strengthening its operational systems, staffing, volunteer engagement, community partnerships, and donor development throughout 2025 to support long-term organizational sustainability. These accomplishments reflect AcademySTAYs ongoing commitment to providing stable housing, educational opportunity, and individualized support to young adults transitioning from foster care, enabling them to pursue stable, self-determined futures.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.