AcademySTAY

What it reported doing in 2025

In 2025, AcademySTAY completed its first full year of operations as a Sacramento-based nonprofit providing transitional housing and wraparound support to young adults transitioning from foster care who are actively pursuing post-secondary education or vocational training. AcademySTAYs model requires 100% of enrolled students to be engaged in an accredited college program, university degree program, or recognized vocational or trade certification as a condition of residency. This enrollment requirement is the foundation of the programs design and distinguishes AcademySTAY from traditional transitional housing models. During 2025, AcademySTAY served 52 unique student residents across its North Sacramento campus in Del Paso Heights (zip code 95815), providing 7,059 safe nights of housing over the course of the year. All four residential buildings, comprising 28 two- bedroom units with a combined capacity of 56 students, were fully renovated, furnished, and operational throughout 2025. Students reside in fully furnished units and contribute toward housing costs based on individual income and voucher eligibility, with subsidies toward housing costs based on individual income and voucher eligibility, with subsidies income thresholds. Students also received individualized one-on-one support, life skills education, financial literacy instruction, mentorship, educational guidance, and connections to community health and wellness resources. AcademySTAY partnered with SAFE Credit Union and JPMorgan Chase to deliver regular on- campus financial literacy and life skills instruction, connecting students to financial education and professional development resources in the Sacramento region. AcademySTAY continued strengthening partnerships with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, volunteers, and community-based service providers to expand resources and opportunities available to residents. AcademySTAY also engaged young adults with lived foster care experience as paid contributors during the organizations ongoing program development, incorporating their direct experience into the refinement of program guidelines, support structures, and community-building practices. This participatory approach reflects AcademySTAYs commitment to centering student voice in organizational decision-making. The organization expanded student support infrastructure in 2025 with the launch of a clothing closet and hygiene supply program, providing students with access to professional attire and personal care items. AcademySTAY also received a $10,000 grant from Soroptimist International to provide four electric bicycles, improving transportation access for students traveling to school, employment, and appointments throughout the Sacramento region. Students achieved notable individual milestones during 2025, including completion of a high school diploma through Job Corps, an EMT workforce certification through EMSCorp, a home construction training certification through HBI BuildStrong Academy, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Sacramento State University. These outcomes reflect the direct impact of housing stability on educational persistence and workforce readiness for a population that faces significant structural barriers to degree and credential completion. AcademySTAY continued strengthening its operational systems, staffing, volunteer engagement, community partnerships, and donor development throughout 2025 to support long-term organizational sustainability. These accomplishments reflect AcademySTAYs ongoing commitment to providing stable housing, educational opportunity, and individualized support to young adults transitioning from foster care, enabling them to pursue stable, self-determined futures.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 49.3%; rating input score 49
• Program expense ratio: 53.3%; rating input score 53
• Fundraising efficiency: $6.99 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 4.7%; rating input score 44; 44th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.26; rating input score 13; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.14; rating input score 30; 30th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 22.4%; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 81.7% per year; rating input score 100; 98th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 66.6% per year; rating input score 100; 97th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 56.3% per year; rating input score 100; 96th percentile among comparable filings