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United Friends of the Children

EIN 95-3665186 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNITED FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN EMPOWERS CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH ON THEIR JOURNEY TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH SERVICE-ENRICHED EDUCATION AND HOUSING PROGRAMS, ADVOCACY AND CONSISTENT RELATIONSHIPS WITH A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO CARE.

Income
$7.6 million
Spending
$8.5 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 60%
Employees
62
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$226,827, chief executive director

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

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

    21 of 21 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 (2)
  1. $4.2 million spent. PATHWAYS HOUSING PROGRAM - UNITED FRIENDS' PATHWAYS HOUSING PROGRAM PROVIDES EMANCIPATED FOSTER YOUTH IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 24 WITH HOUSING, CAREER/VOCATIONAL COUNSELING AND DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATIONAL MENTORING AND ASSISTANCE, HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, AND ADVOCACY COUNSELING. UNITED FRIENDS' RELATIONAL APPROACH EMPHASIZES COMMITMENT AND CONSISTENCY WITHIN A FRAMEWORK THAT DEMANDS INCREASING LEVELS OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND INITIATIVE TO EQUIP AND ENABLE FOSTER YOUTH TO BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT ADULTS.
  2. $2.7 million spent. SCHOLARS PROGRAM - UNITED FRIENDS' SCHOLARS PROGRAM ALLOWS FOR A 12-YEAR CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT FOR FOSTER YOUTH AS THEY NAVIGATE CRITICAL SCHOOL AND LIFE TRANSITIONS DURING THE MOST VULNERABLE YEARS OF THEIR LIVES. WITH A RELATIONSHIP-BASED APPROACH AT ITS CORE, THE SCHOLARS PROGRAM ENSURES THAT FOSTER YOUTH IN GRADES 6-12 AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH ENROLLED IN COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR A BACHELOR'S DEGREE-GRANTING INSTITUTION HAVE THE SKILLS AND SUPPORT TO PERSIST TO AND THROUGH COLLEGE. ENTERING THE WORKFORCE WITH A COLLEGE DEGREE OR TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE, OUR STUDENTS ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO FIND A CAREER AND BUILD A STABLE LIFE FOR THEMSELVES.

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 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 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 December 1981.

    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.