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Caltech Y

EIN 95-1684790 · Pasadena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENRICH STUDENT LIFE AND CHALLENGE STUDENTS TO GROW INTO RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS OF THE WORLD.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
15.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
9
Volunteers
364
Highest pay
$173,805, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% 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 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 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 (2)
  1. $825,999 spent. Student Leadership & Programs - Approximately 60 student leaders planned and implemented 70+ programs through committees such as ExComm, Y-Outdoors, and Community Service.Community Service Included Rise Tutoring for Pasadena Unified middle/high school students, Make-A-Difference Day, Community Service & Advocacy Fair, Union Station Adopt-a-Meal and Birthday Club dinners, LEARNs after-school science demos, MLK Week service projects, and tutoring programs including Rise, Anawakalmekak School, Math Power Hour, Young Legends, and Youth of Promise (YOP).Outdoor Programs Adventure 101 talks, day hikes, camping trips, and multi-day adventures to destinations including Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Channel Islands, and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.Cultural/Educational/Social Science and advocacy speakers (SASS series), election-focused civic engagement events, cultural cuisine outings, World Fest (featuring Kenya, South Korea, the Netherlands, and Turkey), a science policy trip to Washington, DC, a cultural trip to India, an alternative spring break trip to Geneva, Switzerland, Explore LA outings, and finals week decompression events.Awards & ScholarshipsThe Caltech Y staff led committees for each of the following awards to select student awardees: 3 Paul Studenski Memorial Award 9 Patrick Hummel & Harry Gray Travel Award 5 Advocating Change Together Awards 7 Gunilla Hastrup Memorial Adventure Award 2 Beckman AwardThe Lucy Guernsey Service Award was presented to 2 students for their exceptional service to the community and leadership in service programs.The Rise Service Award were given to a Rise tutor who demonstrated excellent tutoring skills and a commitment to the program and their student(s). Twelve Rise tutees applied for and were selected for scholarships ranging from $500 to $1000 for school supplies, tuition, and general financial assistance in their college journeys.
  2. $14,817 spent. Friends Dinners & Activities - Friends events provide an opportunity for Caltech alumni, students and donors to get acquainted while also being educated by guest speakers, who range from Caltech faculty to community members. During the 202425 year, the Caltech Y held three events: 1) a Fall Food Truck Event, 2) a Friends Dinner featuring an insiders look at the SPHEREx Launch with Professor Jamie Bock, and 3) a VIP Tour of The Huntington Museum & Gardens.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 May 1949.

    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.