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Youth Law Center

EIN 94-1715280 · San Francisco, CA

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

PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF MINORS. PROVIDE LEGAL EDUCATION, COUNSEL, LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND GENERAL ASSISTANCE IN THE REFORM OF THE LAW REGARDING THE RIGHTS OF MINORS.

Income
$7.1 million
Spending
$5.5 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
12.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
36
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$222,796, executive director

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 90% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 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. $1.6 million spent. GENERAL MISSION AND ADVOCACY - YLC ADVOCATES TO TRANSFORM JUVENILE JUSTICE AND CHILD WELFARE SYSTEMS ACROSS THE NATION SO EVERY CHILD AND YOUTH CAN THRIVE, UTILIZING MULTIPLE STRATEGIES, INCLUDING LITIGATION; LEGISLATION AND POLICY REFORM; TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC EDUCATION; AND CREATIVE ADVOCACY. AS A PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FIRM, YLC FIGHTS FOR LAWS AND POLICIES TO REDUCE INCARCERATION AND INSTITUTIONALIZATION; ENSURE CHILDREN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES ARE IN FAMILIES AND RECEIVE HUMANE AND FAIR TREATMENT, AND RECEIVE THE EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, FAMILY CONNECTION, AND SUPPORTS YOUTH NEED TO SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION OUT OF SYSTEMS AND THRIVE AS ADULTS.
  2. $2.1 million spent. QUALITY PARENTING INITIATIVE (QPI) - YLC ADVOCATES FOR NATIONAL SYSTEMS CHANGES THAT WILL PROTECT AND EXPAND CHILDREN'S RELATIONSHIPS AND RESULT IN EXCELLENT PARENTING FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE. QPI OPERATIONALIZES YLC'S FOSTER CARE ADVOCACY ON THE COMMUNITY LEVEL BY PROVIDING ADVOCACY SUPPORT, LEGAL TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES, AND THEIR ADVOCATES IN ORDER TO REFORM CHILD WELFARE PRACTICE AND POLICY.
  3. $1.3 million spent. YOUTH LAW ADVOCACY SUPPORT - YLC SERVES AS A CALIFORNIA STATE BAR FUNDED SUPPORT CENTER ON YOUTH LAW ISSUES FOR QUALIFIED LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAMS PROVIDING CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES IN CALIFORNIA. YLC'S STAFF PROVIDES IMPACT ADVOCACY AND ADVOCACY SUPPORT THROUGH CO-COUNSELING, CONSULTATION, RESEARCH, TRAINING, AND OTHER ASSISTANCE ON A RANGE OF ISSUES INCLUDING PUBLIC BENEFITS, HOUSING, EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND OTHER LEGAL ISSUES FACING YOUNG PEOPLE IMPACTED BY FOSTER CARE AND JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS. YLC ALSO WORKS TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO SUPPORTS AND SERVICES AND IMPROVE EARLY ADULTHOOD OUTCOMES OF YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK OF INVOLVEMENT, INVOLVED, OR FORMERLY INVOLVED IN THE FOSTER CARE OR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS.

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 April 1972.

    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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