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Sheriffs Youth Foundation of Los Angeles County

EIN 95-4047797 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceWeak43 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 35% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

ORGANIZATIONS MISSION TO PROVIDE THE YOUTH A SAFE PLACE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND TO PROVIDE MENTORSHIP AND SUPPORT TO LEARN AND DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS THAT WILL POSITIVELY SHAPE THEIR FUTURES.

Income
$256,001
Spending
$443,049
Spent on programs
35%
Reserves
9.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 99%
Employees
1

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 73% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    35% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 13 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $153,244 spent. YOUTH ACTIVITIES - EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES - SEE SCH O
  2. THE SHERIFFS YOUTH FOUNDATION (SYF), INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS EXEMPT FROM BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. FOUNDED IN 1985, SYFS MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUTH LIVING IN UNDERSERVED AND CHALLENGING COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT LOS ANGELES COUNTY. FOR MANY FAMILIES, SYF SERVES AS A BRIDGE OF HOPEEMPOWERING CHILDREN TO PURSUE A BRIGHTER FUTURE. SYF STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS OFTEN TAKE ON THE ROLE OF A CARING SECOND PARENT BY OFFERING MENTORSHIP, GUIDANCE, AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. EVERY YOUNG PERSON INVOLVED IN SYF PROGRAMS BENEFITS FROM MEANINGFUL, POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPSWITH MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, DEDICATED COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, AND MENTORS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 July 1986.

    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.