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Centinela Youth Services Inc

EIN 95-3821576 · Inglewood, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CENTINELA YOUTH SERVICES STRENGTHENS FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES AND HELPS BUILD SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS AND PRODUCTIVE ADULTS, LEVERAGING THE PRINCIPLES OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE TO EMPOWER PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
10.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 88%
Employees
39
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$151,697, 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: 79 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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 (1)
  1. $3.2 million spent. CYS DIVERTS YOUTH OUT OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND INTO COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT WITH THE HARMED PARTY. SERVICES INCLUDE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE MEDIATION, FAMILY MEDIATION, COMMUNITY/SCHOOL MEDIATION AND RESTORATIVE CIRCLES, SERVICE NAVIGATION, CLINICAL CASE MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING FOR EDUCATORS AND JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS.CYS OUTCOMES: LOW RECIDIVISM RATE - ONLY 11% OF CYS'S PARTICIPATING YOUTH ARE RE-ARRESTED WITHIN 12-MONTHS, COMPARED WITH 65% OF YOUTH SERVED BY THE COURT SYSTEM; 72% OF YOUTH WHO COMPLETED CLINICAL CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES LOWERED THEIR RISK OF RECIDIVISM WITHIN JUST 3-6 MONTHS OF SERVICE; 99% OF MEDIATIONS RESULTED IN AN AGREEMENT FOR RESTITUTION; 98% OF VICTIMS SERVED REPORT HIGH SATISFACTION WITH THE PROGRAM; AND 96% OF REFERRED YOUTH REPORT PROGRAM SATISFACTION; STUDENT ARRESTS IN PARTNER SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE CUT BY OVER 90% WITHIN FIVE (5) YEARS; CRIME VICTIMS ARE BETTER SERVED BY CYS WITH 86% OF RESTITUTION AGREEMENTS COMPLETED IN FULL AND MONETARY RESTITUTIONS RECEIVED AT MUCH HIGHER LEVELS THAN THROUGH THE COURTS.

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 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 June 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 October 1983.

    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.

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.