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Fred Finch Youth Center

EIN 94-0474080 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak26 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FRED FINCH YOUTH CENTER'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE INNOVATIVE, EFFECTIVE SERVICES SUPPORTING CHILDREN, YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS, AND FAMILIES TO HEAL FROM TRAUMA AND LEAD HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE LIVES.

Income
$40.9 million
Spending
$44.2 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
567
Volunteers
111
Highest pay
$280,792, president & ceo

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

Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 94% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (4)
  1. $12.9 million spent. RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT-FRED FINCH YOUTH CENTER RESIDENTIAL SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH COMPREHENSIVE, AROUND-THE-CLOCK CARE TO HELP THEM GET TO THE NEXT STEPPING-STONE IN THEIR TREATMENT AND FARTHER DOWN THE PATH TOWARD WELLNESS.
  2. $9.4 million spent. FAMILY SERVICES-FRED FINCH WORKS IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN BECOMING SELF-SUFFICIENT AND RESILIENT. WHETHER IN THE SPECIALIZED RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY-BASED WRAPAROUND PROGRAMS, OR COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH OR PARENTING PROGRAMS, SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO VALUE THE STRENGTHS OF EACH FAMILY MEMBER AND TO MOVE FAMILIES TO UTILIZE THEIR OWN STRENGTHS AND SUPPORTS.
  3. $7.1 million spent. MENTAL HEALTH-FRED FINCH PROVIDES INTENSIVE COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOUTH IN HOMES, SCHOOLS, AND CLINICS, AND HAS DONE SO FOR OVER TWO DECADES. CHARACTERIZED BY ACCESSIBLE, TRAUMA-INFORMED, AND INTENSIVE SUPPORT, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO YOUTH AT RISK OF PLACEMENT DISRUPTION, WHETHER FROM NATURAL, FOSTER FAMILY, OR GROUP HOME CARE. SERVICES REACH YOUNG PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA OR LOSS, OR OTHER EMOTIONAL DISTRESS. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE ALSO PROVIDED IN SCHOOL SETTINGS WHERE THE FOCUS IS ON PROMOTING EMOTIONAL HEALTH SO THAT A STUDENT CAN BENEFIT FROM THEIR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT.
  4. $5.4 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING: THE COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT AND STABILIZATION (CASS) PROGRAM WHICH SERVICES FOSTER YOUTH WHO NEED IMMEDIATE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT TO HELP THEM DECREASE DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIORS THAT COULD RESULT IN HAVING TO LEAVE THE HOME; THE TRANSITIONS PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES SUPPORT THROUGH THE TRANSITION FROM FOSTER CARE TO ADULT INDEPENDENCE; FULL-SERVICE PARTNERSHIPS WHICH ARE BASED ON A "WHATEVER IT TAKES" PHILOSOPHY OF CARE FOR YOUTH WITH MENTAL HEALTH IMPAIRMENTS OR WHO ARE FACING HOMELESSNESS; SCHOOL-BASED SERVICES WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE WITH BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY WHILE PROVIDING INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT DURING THE DAY; AND RISING OAKS, A 30-UNIT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ADULTS WHO HAVE EITHER EMANCIPATED FROM THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM OR ARE PARTICIPATING IN EXTENDED FOSTER CARE.

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 October 13, 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 June 1971.

    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 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.