Cincinnati Youth Collaborative

What it reported doing in 2024

During the 20242025 academic year, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative (CYC) helped thousands of young people move closer to brighter futures: CYC served 5,000+ students across four Cincinnati school districts94% of CYC seniors graduated on time, outperforming the regional average by more than 10%100+ business and community partners invested time, expertise, and resourcesOver 1,200 volunteers served CYC and our students in numerous waysThrough CYCs R.E.A.C.H. outcomes measurement model, CYC students showed meaningful growth in confidence, clarity and connection:95.5% better understand who they are and how to make good choices91.6% feel more sure of themselves and their skills95.5% have set at least one personal goal87.4% gained a new caring adult in their life96.4% feel more hopeful for their futurePROGRAMS CYC FACILITATED IN 2024-25 TO ENSURE STUDENT SUCCESSCollege Readiness and SuccessCYC provides individualized guidance to help students explore post-secondary options and plan for future success. CYC programs supply support and mentoring to ensure graduation and a successful post-secondary transition.The GEAR UP program operated in partnership with Mount Healthy City School District and North College Hill City School District to prepare students for post-secondary education and college success. Program advisors provided: ACT/SAT preparationFAFSA completion and financial aid guidanceCollege application and scholarship supportCareer exploration and planning 12-month post-graduation follow-up servicesMentoringCYCs mentoring programs pair students with trusted adults who encourage academic engagement, build confidence, and open doors to future opportunities. The CYC Mentoring Program is delivered through several exceptionally impactful initiatives.Corporate Mentoring connects students with local professionals across diverse career fields. Highlights include: Monthly job site visits and workplace exposure opportunitiesPersonal mentoring from corporate experts who introduce students to their career fieldsIn-school presentations by business leaders that focus on positive role modeling and academic improvement Career pathway development that enables students to craft a solid game plan for life after high school During 20242025, signature programs like PNC Mentors and P&G Business Leaders of Tomorrow provided financial literacy education, career skills, and job shadowing experiences.Additional mentoring programs include: UC Med Mentors, pairing University of Cincinnati medical students with youth to promote literacy and expose them to healthcare careersGirls Clubs, creating a safe, empowering space for girls in grades 26 to build confidence, relationships, and social-emotional skillsSaturday Hoops, offering group mentoring through sports, arts, reading, and yoga nearly every weekend across multiple neighborhood locationsIn FY25, CYC also expanded its leadership role by guiding We Mentor Cincy, aligning local organizations to strengthen mentoring quality and outcomes across Greater Cincinnati.Resource CoordinationCYC Resource Coordinators support students and families at James N. Gamble Montessori High School and Woodward Career Technical High School by connecting them to critical supports, including: Tutoring, after-school programs, and academic enrichmentCollege and career fairs, field trips, and workshopsAccess to physical and mental health services in a welcoming environmentWork ReadinessFor more than 40 years, CYCs Jobs for Cincinnati Graduates (JCG) has helped students overcome barriers, stay in school, and transition successfully into post-secondary education or the workforce.Through classroom instruction, project-based learning, and real-world work experiences, students build 37 core competencies across: Career developmentJob attainment and retentionLeadership and self-developmentPersonal and life skillsWorkplace readinessAligned with Jobs for Ohios Graduates (JOG) and Jobs for Americas Graduates (JAG), JCG combines a credited clas

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 80.4%; rating input score 80
• Program expense ratio: 74.8%; rating input score 75
• Fundraising efficiency: $7.7 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 29; 29th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• 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; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • 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: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -6.1%; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.92; rating input score 34; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.12; rating input score 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4%; rating input score 61; 61st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 3% per year; rating input score 100; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.1% per year; rating input score 100; 27th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.3% per year; rating input score 100; 31st percentile among comparable filings