The Zones
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 47% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE ZONES IS MORE THAN A PLACE, IT IS A MOVEMENT TO INSPIRE AND ENABLE ALL YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM DISADVANTAGED CIRCUMSTANCES, TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS PRODUCTIVE, CARING AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS.
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 47%
- Reserves
- 19 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 60%
- Employees
- 14
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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.0 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 38% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1547% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 47 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
Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
0 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 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 (1)
- $487,242 spent. BY REACHING CHILDREN AT AN EARLY AGE AND PROVIDING POSITVE ACTIVITIES AND ENCOURAGEMENT, OUR CLUB PROVIDES A COMPELLING ALTERNATIVE TO YOUTH CRIME, GANG MEMEBERSHIP, DRUGS, AND OTHER NEGATIVE INFLUENCES THAT AFFECT OUR YOUTH TODAY. OUR PROGRAMS PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE BY INSTILLING A SENSE OF COMPETENCE, USEFULNESS, INFLUENCE AND BELONGING. WHEN THIS STRATEGY IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED, SELF-ESTEEM IS ENHANCED AND AN ENVIRONMENT IS CREATED WHICH HELPS OUR MEMBERS ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. ADDITIONALLY, OUR MEMBERS LEARN TO: ENJOY THEIR INTERESTS NURTURE THEIR TALENTS DISSOLVE THEIR PREJUDICES EXPRESS THEIR PERSONALITY DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS BUILD SELF ESTEEM CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY ACHIEVE PERSONAL SUCCESS OUR CLUB OFFERS FIVE CORE AREAS OF PROGRAMMING WHICH MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS,INTERESTS AND INCLINATIONS OF ALL MEMBERS. OUR TRAINED PROFESSIONAL STAFF INCORPORATES THE FOLLOWING THEMES INTO DAILY ACTIVITIES, ALLOWING YOUTH TO LEARN IN A FUN AND EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT. 1. CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP - EMPOWERS YOUTH TO SUPPORT AND INFLUENCE THEIR CLUBS AND COMMUNITY, SUSTAIN MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS, DEVELOP A POSITIVE SELF IMAGE, AND RESPECT THEIR OWN AND OTHERS CULTURAL IDENTITIES. 2. EDUCATION & CAREER DEVELOPMENT - ENABLES YOUTH TO DEVELOP ASPIRATIONS FOR THE FUTURE, APPLY LEARNING TO EVERYDAY SITUATIONS AND EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAREER AND EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT. PART OF THE EDUCATION & CAREER DEVELOPMENT CORE PROGRAM IS THE STEM PROGRAM WHICH INCORPORATES SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH THROUGH THE USE OF 3D PRINTING, CODING, ROBOTICS, FILMMAKING AND OTHER ENGINEERING PROJECTS. MY.FUTURE IS ALSO PART OF THE CORE EDUCATION PROGRAM WHICH IS A SAFE, FUN, MOBILE-FRIENDLY SOCIAL PLATFORM THAT PROVIDES ACCESS TO 125 CLUBS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES IN AREAS SUCH AS STEM, LEADERSHIP AND VISUAL ARTS, AND ENEABLES KIDS AND TEENS TO CONNECT AND SHARE WITH THEIR FRIENDS WHILE EARNING RECOGNITION AND REWARDS. 3. HEALTH & LIFE SKILLS - DEVELOPS YOUNG PEOPLES CAPACITY TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, SET PERSONAL GOALS AND DEVELOP THE COMPETENCIES TO LIVE SUCCESFULL AS SELF SUFFICIENT ADULTS. 4. THE ARTS - HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP SELF EXPRESSION AND CREATIVITY, ACQUIRE MULTICULTURAL APPRECIATION, AND ENHANCE SKILLS IN CRAFTS, PERFORMING AND LITERARY ARTS. 5. SPORTS, FITNESS & RECREATION - ENCOURAGES YOUTH TO DEVELOP FITNESS, POSITIVE USE OF LEISURE TIME, SKILLS FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT, APPRECIATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS. LEARNING CENTER - IN OUR LEARNING CENTER, WE PROVIDE DAILY HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE AND TUTORING AFTER-SCHOOL FOR ALL OF THE KIDS IN THE PROGRAM. THE CENTER OFFERS POWER HOUR HOMEWORK HELP AMONG ITS ACTIVITIES. ALL MEMBERS ATTEND THE HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE SESSIONS ON A DAILY BASIS. THERE ARE COMPUTERS THAT ARE USED FOR HOMEWORK ANDEDUCATIONAL GAMES AS WELL. ARTS AND CRAFTS CENTER THE CLUBS ARTS & CRAFTS CENTER OFFERS INSTRUCTION IN A WIDE RANGE OF AREAS. THERE ARE PAINTING CLASSES, ART CONTESTS, CRAFT MAKING, INCLUDING MAKING POT HOLDERS, BOOKFINDINGS, WIND CHIMES, PINE NEEDLES, MAGNETS AND MUCH MORE. GAME ROOM THE GAME ROOM IS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION AT THE CLUB. THIS IS WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS SPEND THE MAJORITY OF THEIR TIME. THE GAME ROOM OFFERS A POOLTABLE,PING-PONG, AIR HOCKEY, TABLE TENNIS, BUMPER POOL, AND FOOSBALL. THERE ARE INSTRUCTIONAL POOL CLASSES, TOURNAMENTS FOR ANY AND EVERY GAME, AND FREE TIME TO PLAY ANY GAME OF THE MEMBERS CHOICE
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
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 June 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 March 1954.
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.