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Empower Yolo Inc

EIN 94-3027535 · Woodland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EMPOWERYOLO'SMISSIONISTOPROMOTESAFE,HEALTHY,ANDRESILIENTCOMMUNITIES.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 56%
Employees
62
Volunteers
76
Highest pay
$111,777, executive dir.

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: 62 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human 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 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. $1.7 million spent. Victim Services and Support: Empower Yolo provides comprehensive confidential services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other forms of interpersonal violence, including 24-hour crisis response, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, safety planning, counseling, peer support, accompaniment, and case management. In 2025, 211 survivors of abuse, including 103 children, received safe shelter for 8,512 bed nights. The 24-hour crisis line received 603 calls totaling 10,589 minutes. The Sexual Assault Response Team provided accompaniment, advocacy, and/or support services to 268 sexual assault survivors, including 133 children. Legal advocates assisted 206 survivors with 498 restraining orders and provided court accompaniment to 147 clients 282 times. Empower Yolo also provided 7,458 peer counseling, therapy, and support group sessions to 1,639 clients (1,429 adults and 210 children), and support groups assisted 45 adults.
  2. $580,534 spent. Resource Center and Community Support: Empower Yolos resource centers provide vital support services to individuals and families throughout the county, including emergency clothing and hygiene supplies, case management, tax assistance, and access to health, housing, and financial resources. The centers serve as safe and welcoming spaces where clients can receive information, referrals, and direct support tailored to their individual needs. In 2025, 1,659 clients used the clothing closet 6,345 times. Empower Yolo also provided income tax assistance to 368 taxpayers who received $841,156 in federal and state refunds. Across the organization, volunteers provided 22,451 hours of service.
  3. $496,045 spent. Youth Services: Empower Yolos ASSETs (After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens) program partners with schools and the broader community to provide academic support, enrichment, and safe opportunities for high school students after school, on weekends, during summer sessions, and throughout vacation periods. The program builds meaningful connections with youth and families while supporting life skills, leadership development, and personal growth. In 2025, 35,419 student attendances were recorded over 228 days of service through the ASSETs program.
  4. $155,084 spent. Housing Support and Advocacy: Empower Yolo provides housing advocacy and related support to help individuals and families seek, obtain, and maintain safe and stable housing. Services include individualized housing-focused case management, advocacy, safety planning, assistance navigating housing barriers, and connections to landlords and community resources. In 2025, 660 clients received housing advocacy services.

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 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 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 April 1977.

    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.