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Freedom For Youth Ministries

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 030530851 ✦ Des moines, IA ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Freedom For Youth Ministries?

Freedom For Youth Ministries is a nonprofit organization located in Des Moines, Iowa, with a focus on empowering at-risk youth and homeless young adults. They operate after-school programs, attracting over 300 young individuals, including many refugees. Their primary focus is on improving reading skills, as over 90% of the enrolled students are behind in reading levels upon joining. Freedom For Youth Ministries has been successful in enhancing the reading abilities of all its students. The organization also offers a variety of engaging activities, such as art, pottery, cooking, computer classes, music, welding, woodworking, and mechanics, providing youth an opportunity to showcase and sell their creations at events. As a result, crime and drop-out rates have decreased among the served population. Freedom For Youth Ministries' mission is to offer the love of Jesus Christ, empowering these youth to break free from their current circumstances, discover their God-given talents, and lead transformed lives. Programming takes place five days a week, year-round, and over 23,000 meals are served to hungry children during these activities. The organization employs 73 individuals.


Official website here: www.freedomforyouth.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 67% (Two-Star out of Four Stars)

Freedom For Youth Ministries holds a Two-Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating potential areas for improvement in its accountability and financial practices. The score reflects good governance aspects such as having a majority of independent board members and a robust conflict of interest policy, which contribute positively to the organization’s credibility.

However, the organization faces challenges in financial transparency, as evidenced by the absence of financial statements and other key documents that are typically expected to be publicly available. This lack of transparency may raise concerns among potential donors regarding the effective management and reporting of funds.

While the program expense ratio is moderately acceptable at 62.17%, the overall financial health suggests that there may be inefficiencies in how funds are allocated. Stakeholders might want to closely consider these factors when supporting Freedom For Youth Ministries.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

What do the Facebook reviews say about Freedom For Youth Ministries?

96% of 29 reviewers on Facebook recommend Freedom For Youth Ministries. Here is a summary of their reviews:

The organization is frequently described as remarkable for its commitment to empowering and equipping students for success. Many reviewers appreciate the focus on personal growth and development, often noting the positive impact it has on young people’s lives. The integration of faith, particularly through the love of Jesus, resonates with many supporters, reinforcing their belief in the nonprofit's mission.

Overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting a strong sense of community and effective programming. Supporters feel that Freedom For Youth Ministries truly delivers on its promises and fosters a transformative environment for students.


This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.

Is Freedom For Youth Ministries legitimate?

Freedom For Youth Ministries is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Freedom For Youth Ministries submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $111,678
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $1,222,470

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.freedomforyouth.org

What is the mission statement of Freedom For Youth Ministries?

Freedom For Youth Ministries, in its mission, offers the love of Jesus Christ to at-risk inner city youth and homeless young adults. This mission empowers them to break away from challenges in their lives, discover their God-given purpose, and lead a life filled with faith, hope, and love. Their activities encompass after-school programs and work training, attracting over 300 at-risk youth annually. The ministry focuses on improving reading skills, with over 90% of students entering their programs behind in reading levels. Through various activities such as art, pottery, cooking, computers, music, welding, woodworking, and mechanics, the youth have opportunities to showcase their talents and skills. The impact of these programs is evident in decreasing crime and drop-out rates among the population served. Programming occurs five days a week all year long, and over 23,000 meals are served to hungry children during these activities.


Official website here: www.freedomforyouth.org

Who is the CEO of Freedom For Youth Ministries?

Mark Nelson is the President of Freedom For Youth Ministries.


Official website here: www.freedomforyouth.org

What is the revenue of Freedom For Youth Ministries?

Freedom For Youth Ministries's revenue in 2022 was $1,845,921.


Official website here: www.freedomforyouth.org

Who are the executives of Freedom For Youth Ministries and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Freedom For Youth Ministries during 2022 was $18,276. There are 73 employees and 689 volunteers at Freedom For Youth Ministries.


Here are 10 key members and their salaries:


Meers Trevor (President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Lock Michael (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Gunn Les (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Heard Brittany (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Keller Dan (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Msiando Wilondja (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Staab David (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Wohlenhaus Mike (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Lowe Bill (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Nelson Mark (Excutive Director)
  • Compensation: $104,778
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $6,900


Official website here: www.freedomforyouth.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Freedom For Youth Ministries?

Freedom For Youth Ministries's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.freedomforyouth.org

Learn more at the official website: www.freedomforyouth.org

Mission Statement of Freedom For Youth Ministries

Freedom For Youth Ministries, with a mission driven by the love of Jesus Christ, empowers at-risk inner city youth and homeless young adults in Iowa. Their goal is to help these individuals break free from their current circumstances, discover their God-given talents, and lead transformed lives filled with faith, hope, and love. They achieve this through various activities, including after-school programs and work training.

Their after-school programs, which have attracted over 300 at-risk youth, are instrumental in providing essential support. At their flagship campus in Des Moines and four additional metro locations, they offer tutoring services, particularly focusing on reading. Many of the students enrolled in these programs are behind in their reading levels, but Freedom For Youth Ministries has shown remarkable success in improving their literacy skills. The organization's programs also include a variety of creative and practical activities, such as art, pottery, cooking, computers, music, welding, woodworking, and mechanics. The youth have an opportunity to showcase and sell the items they've created at the Teen Arts Fest.

The impact of Freedom For Youth Ministries' efforts extends beyond literacy. Their programming, which occurs five days a week all year long, has led to a decrease in crime and drop-out rates among the population they serve. Over 23,000 meals are also provided to hungry children during these programs. By offering a nurturing environment and empowering opportunities, Freedom For Youth Ministries strives to transform the lives of at-risk youth and homeless young adults, helping them to break the bonds that have held them back and discover their true potential.

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Impact




July, 2024

Freedom For Youth Ministries has made a significant impact by empowering youth across Iowa to break out of their current circumstances and discover their God-given talents through the love of Jesus Christ. With after-school programs that attract over 300 at-risk youth, including refugees, the organization offers tutoring, with a focus on improving reading levels. Over 90% of students enter the program at least one year behind in reading, but Freedom For Youth Ministries has successfully increased the reading levels of all students.

Additionally, the organization provides teens with opportunities in various activities such as art, pottery, cooking, computers, music, welding, woodworking, and mechanics. Youth are able to showcase their talents at events like the Teen Arts Fest, where they can sell items they have created. As a result of these programs, crime and dropout rates have decreased among the population served.

Operating five days a week all year long, Freedom For Youth Ministries serves over 23,000 meals to hungry children during their programs. By offering the love of Jesus Christ and empowering at-risk inner-city youth and homeless young adults, the organization is helping individuals break bondages, discover their purpose, and lead transformed lives filled with faith, hope, and love.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Freedom For Youth Ministries. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$1,845,921 (2022)
Expenses
$1,942,042 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: -$1,084
  • Program Service Revenue: $174,310
  • Gross Receipts: $1,941,632

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $3,641,675
  • Total Liabilities: $83,462
  • Net Assets: $3,558,213

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS,

Revenue

$119,254

CONTRACT LABOR, NET OF

Revenue

$55,056

Organization Details

Founding Year

2003

Principal Officer

Mark Nelson

Main Address

2301 HICKMAN RD, DES MOINES, IA, 50310

NTEE Category

Code: O20 - Youth development

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