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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: February 2026 Expires: February 2028

Colorado Youth for a Change

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
12
(720) 994-8005
1390 Lawrence Street, Suite 200
Denver, CO, 80204
https://youthforachange.org
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Colorado Youth for a Change does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 12 (Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses)
Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

CYC does not meet this Standard because, in the organization's financial statements, the detailed functional breakdown of expenses:

  • Only included one program service category. It did not include a detailed breakdown of expenses for each of its major program activities (prevention, reengagement).

Colorado Youth for a Change meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to address barriers to learning by providing individualized support throughout pivotal stages of students' education journeys."

Year, State Incorporated:
2005, CO

Colorado Youth for a Change (CYC) reports that it partners with school districts across Colorado to provide a continuum of programming for children and youth. The organization connects youth with opportunities to get back into school and creates pathways to build confidence and find success in school and beyond. CYC’s programs address early warning signs of dropping out, such as entering kindergarten unprepared, lack of reading proficiency by the end of third grade and algebra proficiency by the end of eighth grade, and chronic absenteeism and course failure in high school. The organization’s Corps for a Change program places adults in high schools to build ongoing relationships with students and provide academic and attendance supports, family engagement, social-emotional skill building, and college and career guidance. The program also connects students to other resources for housing, transportation, and other needs. CYC’s Reengagement program reaches out to youth who have left school early without a diploma or are dealing with truancy. Reengagement Specialists work with interested youth in creating an individualized plan for educational goals, overcoming barriers and geographic location to ensure the best school fit. In 2024, the organization reports it supported 4,791 students across its education Corps programs and 603 students through reengagement.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, Colorado Youth for a Change's program expenses were:

Program services $8,281,565
Total Program Expenses $8,281,565

Chief Executive
Mary Zanotti, Executive Director

Compensation*
$159,797

Chair of the Board
James Blanchard

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Owner and Manager, Blanchard Family Wines

Board Size
19

Paid Staff Size
125

*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)

Fundraising costs were 4% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $7,631,372, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Colorado Youth for a Change's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Source of Funds
Federal grants $5,643,820
Foundation grants $1,717,829
State and local government contracts $1,122,736
Special events, net $164,230
Contributions $105,823
Other income $11,702
Interest income, net $10,997
Total Income $8,776,807

Programs: 94% Fundraising: 4% Administrative: 2%

Total Income $8,776,807
Total expenses: $8,804,487
  Program expenses $8,281,565
  Fundraising expenses $312,023
  Administrative expenses $210,899
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-27,680
Beginning Net Assets $1,495,236
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $1,446,879
Total Liabilities $180,056
Total Assets $1,626,935

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

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Report completed by:
BBB Great West - Pacific