Youth Ag & Leadership Foundation of Sonoma County

What it says it does

THE YOUTH AG & LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION OF SONOMA COUNTY , A NON-PROFIT 501C(3) CORPORATION, WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1982 TO EMPOWER AND SUPPORT YOUTH AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN SONOMA COUNTY. THROUGH THE FOUNDATION, YOUTH CLUBS AND COUNTY-WIDE PROJECTS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS CAN APPLY FOR GRANTS TO ENHANCE AND BENEFIT THEIR WORK. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUTH TO ATTEND EDUCATION CONFERENCES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA AND THE UNITED STATES TO ENRICH THEIR LIVES.THE FOUNDATION IS ALSO PROUD TO OFFER EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO PROMISING YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO ATTEND COLLEGE AND TRADE SCHOOLS.

Income

$153,985

Spending

$144,345

Spent on programs

73%

Reserves

30.3 months of spending

Largest source of income

donations and private grants, 40%

Employees

1

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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

• Reserves

  35 of 35

  Spendable reserves would cover 30.3 months of spending.

• Debt

  20 of 20

  It owes 1% of what it owns.

• Living within its means

  15 of 15

  Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

• Income trend

  5 of 15

  Income fell 17% on the year before.

• Spending floor

  15 of 15

  72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

• Independent board

  25 of 25

  22 of 22 voting board members are independent.

• Conflict of interest policy

  15 of 15

  Has a written conflict of interest policy.

• Whistleblower policy

  0 of 8

  Reports no written whistleblower policy.

• Record keeping policy

  0 of 7

  Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

• Board minutes

  5 of 5

  Keeps minutes of board meetings.

• Board sees the tax return

  0 of 10

  Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

• 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.

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. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   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. check_circle

   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 October 13, 2026.

5. check_circle

   How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

   Recognized by the IRS since May 2011.

   Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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   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.