Is Youth Making A Difference Legit? —…

Red Flags

Significant and consistent operating deficits (e.g., $134,090 deficit in 2023, $51,507 deficit in 2022).
Highly volatile revenue streams, with a sharp drop in 2021 ($28,658) from previous years.
Unusual negative liabilities reported in 2020 and 2021, which require clarification.
Declining asset base from a peak of $245,571 in 2020 to $78,045 in 2023, indicating reduced financial reserves.

Spending Breakdown

How Youth Making A Difference allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

70%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

20%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

Fundraising

Within typical range

How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.

How to Interpret This Report

What Red Flags Mean

Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.

What Mission Score Measures

The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.

Using This Data for Donation Decisions

Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Youth Making A Difference

Is Youth Making A Difference a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Youth Making A Difference (EIN: 202427006) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 55/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Youth Making A Difference a good charity to donate to?

Youth Making A Difference has a Mission Score of 55/100. Revenue: $117K. Assets: $36K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Youth Making A Difference?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Youth Making A Difference is 202427006. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.

What is a Mission Score?

The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.

How does Youth Making A Difference spend its money?

Youth Making A Difference allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Youth Making A Difference's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Youth Making A Difference's tax-exempt status using EIN 202427006 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.

AI Transparency Report

Youth Making A Difference exhibits inconsistent financial performance over the past decade. While the organization reported significant revenues in earlier years (e.g., $548,684 in 2014 and $545,432 in 2018), recent filings show a substantial decline, with revenue dropping to $28,658 in 2021 before recovering to $239,931 in 2023. This volatility makes long-term financial planning and stability a concern. The organization has frequently spent more than it brought in, as seen in 2023 where expenses ($374,021) significantly exceeded revenue ($239,931), leading to a net deficit. 

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed functional expense breakdown, which is not provided in the summary data. However, the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation suggests that leadership is not drawing salaries, which can be a positive indicator of dedication, but also raises questions about the sustainability of operations if key personnel are not compensated. The organization's assets have fluctuated, peaking around $245,571 in 2020 but declining to $78,045 by 2023, indicating a reduction in financial reserves. 

Transparency appears adequate based on the availability of 13 years of IRS 990 filings. However, the lack of detailed expense categories (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data limits a thorough assessment of how efficiently funds are allocated. The negative liabilities reported in 2020 and 2021 (e.g., $-17,706 in 2020) are unusual and could indicate accounting adjustments or reclassifications that warrant further investigation for clarity.

Is Youth Making A Difference Legit?

Verdict: Youth Making A Difference shows mixed signals