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Non-profit

Young Invincibles

Website:

younginvincibles.org
Location:

WASHINGTON, DC
Tax ID:

46-2214021
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2019):

Revenue: $6,958,638
Expenses: $5,832,531
Assets: $4,423,838
Formation:

2009
Type:

Young Adult Advocacy Group
Executive Director:

Rachel Fleischer

Young Invincibles (YI) is a left-of-center youth advocacy, research, grantmaking, and lobbying organization based in Washington, D.C. 1 Co-founded in 2009 by Ari Matsuiak, a special assistant to the President during the Obama administration,2 YI supports left-of-center political positions such as Medicaid expansion,3 diverting funds from “exorbitant police budgets,”4 cancelling student debt,5 and the left wing Black Lives Matter movement. 6 YI operates both nationally and at the state level in Texas, Colorado, Illinois, California, and New York. 7

In 2020, YI attacked former President Trump on COVID-19 relief response,8 consumer protections,9 the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett,10 the 2020 U.S. Census,11 and other issues.

YI has received large grants from major left-of-center organizations in the past, including $2,000,000 and $400,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation;12 13 more than $600,000 from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation;14  $250,000 from the Kohlberg Foundation;15 $225,000 from the left-of-center California Endowment;16 $183,900 from the left-of-center New Venture Fund, a project of Arabella Advisors;17 $725,000 from the Kresge Foundation;18 $100,000 from the left wing Houston Endowment;19 and others. Since 2017, YI has distributed grants to several left-of-center nonprofits, including Community Catalyst, Center on Public Policy Priorities, Make the Road New York, Fair Elections Center, 20 Alliance for Youth Organizing, Democracy Works, Emgage Foundation Inc, Voto Latino, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Blueprint NC, , Student Organizing, 21 PIRG New Voters Project, Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project,22 and others.

Rachel Fleischer is YI’s executive director. She previously led Planned Parenthood’s healthcare and advocacy efforts and managed Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s independent communications during the 2012 presidential campaign. 23

History and Leadership

Young Invincibles was founded in 2009 by Ari Matsuiak, special assistant to the President and director of private sector engagement in the Obama Administration, and Aaron Smith in 2009. 24

Rachel Fleischer is YI’s executive director. 25 She previously worked on healthcare and advocacy efforts for Planned Parenthood, managed Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s independent communications during the 2012 presidential campaign,26 and was a vice president at the left-of-center GMMB Consulting. 27

Members of YI’s board of directors include Matsuiak and others who work at the left-of-center Kresge Foundation, UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza), and Protect Democracy. 28

Activities and Funding

YI’s activism focuses on health care, higher education, workforce and finance, and civic engagement for young adults29 at the national level and at the state level in Texas, Colorado, Illinois, California, and New York. 30

YI supports left-wing political positions such as Medicaid expansion,31 diverting funds from “exorbitant police budgets,”32 cancelling student debt,33 and the left wing Black Lives Matter movement. 34 YI attacked former President Trump in press releases on issues including COVID-19 relief response,35 consumer protections,36 the confirmation of Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett,37 and the 2020 U.S. Census. 38

YI’s research arm, called the Data Lab, conducts quantitative research on issue including young adult unemployment, college search tools, so-called “equity attainment” at universities, and the availability of on-campus childcare. 39 Data Lab’s director, Matthew Eckel, has conducted research for left-of-center She the People and the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality. 40

YI runs a Midwest Young Advocates Program to train individuals in advocacy work41 and is a change partner in the left-of-center New Deal for Youth organization. 42 43

Black Lives Matter and Critical Race Theory

YI offers resources and ways for their supporters to get involved with the left wing Black Lives Matter movement. 44 YI’s resource page recommends listening to and supporting left-of-center and left wing organizations including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, National Bail Fund Network, Campaign Zero, Black Visions MN, Reclaim the Block, Just Georgia, Unicorn Riot, North Star Health Collective, Communities United Against Police Brutality, and the National Black Justice Coalition. 45 In addition, YI shares suggested “anti-racist” reading lists and recommends the historically suspect 1619 Project to its supporters. 46

Funding

In 2019, YI received $6,661,680 of gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees47 and reported total assets of $4,423,838. 48 YI received gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees in excess of $5 million in 2018 and $6 million in 2017, respectively. 49

In 2021, YI received $200,000 from the Greater Texas Foundation;50  $100,000 from the Grand Victorian Foundation;51 and $50,000 from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. 52

In 2020, YI received $125,000 from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation;53 $46,428 from the left-of-center Truth Initiative Foundation. 54

In 2019, YI received grants of $2,000,000 and $400,000 from the left-of-center Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation;55 56 grants totaling $200,000 from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation;57 58 and $200,000 from The Colorado Health Foundation. 59

In 2018, YI received $725,000 from the left-of-center Kresge Foundation; 60  $100,000 from the left wing Houston Endowment; 61 and $60,000 from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation;62

In 2017, YI received a $400,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation;63 $250,000 of grants from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation;64 65 $250,000 from the Kohlberg Foundation;66 $183,900 from the left-of-center New Venture Fund, a project of Arabella Advisors;67 and $125,000 from the Kresge Foundation. 68

YI has also received grants of $225,000 from the left-of-center California Endowment in 2015;69 $50,000 from left-of-center Proteus Fund in 201570 and 2016; 71 and $50,000 from the Annenberg Foundation in 2013. 72

Activities

In 2019, YI issued grants to several left-of-center non-profits, including Community Catalyst, Center on Public Policy Priorities, Metro New York Health Care for All, Community Service Society of New York, immigration expansionist Make the Road New York, Medicare Rights Center, New Yorkers for Accessible Health Coverage, Public Policy and Education Fund of New York, Fair Elections Center, Scholars Strategy Network, Forward Montana Foundation, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, Civic Nation, and others. 73

In 2018, YI issued grants to left-of-center groups including Center on Public Policy Priorities, Veterans Education Success Inc, Project Pericles, Alliance for Youth Organizing, Democracy Works, Emgage Foundation Inc, Fair Elections Center, Civic Nation, Campus Compact, Voto Latino, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, PIRG New Voters Project, Student Borrowers Services, Blueprint NC, Student Organizing, and others. 74

In 2017, YI distributed grants to Blueprint NC, Center on Public Policy Priorities, Civic Nation, Democracy Works, Enroll America, Foundation for California Community Colleges, National Campus Leadership Council, PIRG New Voters Project, Andrew Goodman Foundation, Fair Elections Center, Virginia21, Voto Latino, and Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project. 75

References

  1. “Young Invincibles.” Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/462214021/02_2021_prefixes_46-47%2F462214021_201912_990_2021021917722111.
  2. “The Board.” Ari Matsuiak. Young Invincibles. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/who-we-are/the-board/.
  3. “June 24, 2021, Instagram Post.” Young Invincibles Instagram Profile. June 24, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQeVwSUtZQj/.
  4. “May 25, 2021, Instagram Post.” Young Invincibles Instagram Post. May 25, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPTR6AjNwXo/.
  5. “Twitter Post.” Young Invincibles Twitter Page. Posted June 29, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://twitter.com/YoungInvincible/status/1409876557720473600.
  6. “Black Lives Matter: Resources and ways you can get involved.” Young Invincibles Blog. June 3, 2020. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/black-lives-matter-resources-and-ways-you-can-get-involved/.
  7. “Twitter Post.” Young Invincibles Twitter. June 28, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://twitter.com/YoungInvincible/status/1409587912207835139.
  8. “President Trump Issues Toothless Executive Actions in Response to Covid-19 Relief.” Young Invincibles Pres Release. August 10, 2020. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/7742-2/.
  9. “President Trump Pretends Executive Order will Replace Key Consumer Protections.” Young Invincibles Press Release. September 24, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/president-trump-pretends-executive-order-will-replace-key-consumer-protections/.
  10. “Statement on SCOTUS Confirmation.” Young Invincibles Press Release. October 26, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/statement-on-scotus-confirmation/.
  11. “Administration Issues Unconstitutional Census Memorandum.” Young Invincibles Press Release. July 21, 2020. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/administration-issues-unconstitutional-census-memorandum/.
  12. “Young Invincibles.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. September 2019 Grants. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2019/09/inv000419.
  13. “Young Invincibles.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. April 2019 Grants. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2019/09/inv000419.
  14. “Young Invincibles.” Search our Grants: Young Invincibles. David and Lucile Packard Foundation. 2021 Grants. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/young-invincibles-8/.
  15. “Kohlberg Foundation Inc.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF.) 2017. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133496263/201813189349103311/IRS990PF.
  16. “The California Endowment.” Return of Private Foundation. (990-PF.) 2015. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954523232/201720409349100702/IRS990PF.
  17. “New Venture Fund.” Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990, Schedule I). 2017. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/205806345/201843169349302864/IRS990ScheduleI.
  18. “Kresge Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2017. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/381359217/02_2019_prefixes_36-38%2F381359217_201712_990PF_2019021916106114.
  19. “Houston Endowment Inc.” Return of a Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF.) 2018. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/746013920/201933189349100323/full.
  20. “Young Invincibles.” Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/462214021/02_2021_prefixes_46-47%2F462214021_201912_990_2021021917722111.
  21. “Young Invincibles.” Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/462214021/01_2020_prefixes_45-46%2F462214021_201812_990_2020010316995435.
  22. “Young Invincibles.” Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990). 2017. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/462214021/02_2019_prefixes_46-46%2F462214021_201712_990_2019020816077075.
  23. “Who We Are.” Young Invincibles. Accessed June 29, 211021. https://younginvincibles.org/who-we-are/our-team/.
  24. “Young Invincibles’ Executive Director Aaron Smith to Transition to New YI Advisors Consulting Arm.” Young Invincibles Press Release. March 11, 2014. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/young-invincibles-executive-director-aaron-smith-to-transition-to-new-yi-advisors-consulting-arm/.
  25. “Who We Are.” Young Invincibles. Accessed June 29, 211021. https://younginvincibles.org/who-we-are/our-team/.
  26. “Who We Are.” Young Invincibles. Accessed June 29, 211021. https://younginvincibles.org/who-we-are/our-team/.
  27. “Rachel Fleischer.” LinkedIn Profile. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-fleischer-667573a/.
  28. “Who We Are. The Board.” Young Invincibles. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://annenberg.org/news/annenberg-foundation-announces-funding-ten-additional-my-la2050-grants-challenge/.
  29. “Voter Hub.” Young Invincibles. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/voter-hub/.
  30. “Twitter Post.” Young Invincibles Twitter. June 28, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://twitter.com/YoungInvincible/status/1409587912207835139.
  31. “June 24, 2021, Instagram Post.” Young Invincibles Instagram Profile. June 24, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQeVwSUtZQj/.
  32. “May 25, 2021, Instagram Post.” Young Invincibles Instagram Post. May 25, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPTR6AjNwXo/.
  33. “Twitter Post.” Young Invincibles Twitter Page. Posted June 29, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://twitter.com/YoungInvincible/status/1409876557720473600.
  34. “Black Lives Matter: Resources and ways you can get involved.” Young Invincibles Blog. June 3, 2020. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/black-lives-matter-resources-and-ways-you-can-get-involved/.
  35. “President Trump Issues Toothless Executive Actions in Response to Covid-19 Relief.” Young Invincibles Pres Release. August 10, 2020. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/7742-2/.
  36. “President Trump Pretends Executive Order will Replace Key Consumer Protections.” Young Invincibles Press Release. September 24, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/president-trump-pretends-executive-order-will-replace-key-consumer-protections/.
  37. “Statement on SCOTUS Confirmation.” Young Invincibles Press Release. October 26, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/statement-on-scotus-confirmation/.
  38. “Administration Issues Unconstitutional Census Memorandum.” Young Invincibles Press Release. July 21, 2020. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/administration-issues-unconstitutional-census-memorandum/.
  39. “Data Lab.” Young Invincibles. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/data-analysis/.
  40. “Who We Are.” Young Invincibles. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/who-we-are/our-team/.
  41. “Fall 2021 Midwest Young Advocates Program.” Young Invincibles official website. June 25, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://twitter.com/YoungInvincible/status/1409587912207835139.
  42. “Change Partners.” New Deal for Youth. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://newdealforyouth.org/who-we-are/#partners.
  43. “May 24, 2021, Instagram Post.” Young Invincibles Instagram. May 24, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPRPvG5NwCJ/.
  44. “Black Lives Matter: Resources and ways you can get involved.” Young Invincibles Blog. June 3, 2020. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/black-lives-matter-resources-and-ways-you-can-get-involved/.
  45. “Black Lives Matter: Resources and ways you can get involved.” Young Invincibles Blog. June 3, 2020. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/black-lives-matter-resources-and-ways-you-can-get-involved/.
  46. “Black Lives Matter: Resources and ways you can get involved.” Young Invincibles Blog. June 3, 2020. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://younginvincibles.org/black-lives-matter-resources-and-ways-you-can-get-involved/.
  47. “Young Invincibles.” Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/462214021/02_2021_prefixes_46-47%2F462214021_201912_990_2021021917722111.
  48. “Young Invincibles.” Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/462214021/02_2021_prefixes_46-47%2F462214021_201912_990_2021021917722111.
  49. “Young Invincibles.” Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/462214021/02_2021_prefixes_46-47%2F462214021_201912_990_2021021917722111.
  50. “Grant Announcement: Understanding the Work-Based Learning Landscape for Women and Mothers in Texas.” February 11, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.greatertexasfoundation.org/grant-announcements/grant-announcement-understanding-the-work-based-learning-landscape-for-women-and-mothers-in-texas/.
  51. “2021 Grant Awards.” Grand Victoria Foundation. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://annenberg.org/news/annenberg-foundation-announces-funding-ten-additional-my-la2050-grants-challenge/.

  52. “Young Invincibles.” Search our Grants: Young Invincibles. David and Lucile Packard Foundation. 2021 Grants. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/young-invincibles-8/.
  53. “Young Invincibles.” Search Our Grants: Young Invincibles. David and Lucile Packard Foundation. 2020 Grants. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/young-invincibles-7/.
  54. “Truth Initiative Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990.) 2020. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/911956621/02_2021_prefixes_86-92%2F911956621_202006_990_2021022417746854.
  55. “Young Invincibles.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. April 2019 Grants. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2019/09/inv000419.
  56. “Young Invincibles.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. September 2019 Grants. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2019/09/inv000419.
  57. “Young Invincibles.” Search Our Grants: Young Invincibles. David and Lucile Packard Foundation. 2019 Grants. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/young-invincibles-6/.
  58. “Young Invincibles.” Search Our Grants: Young Invincibles. David and Lucile Packard Foundation. 2019 Grants. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/young-invincibles-5/.
  59. “General Operating Support.” The Colorado Health Foundation. February 1, 2019. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://annenberg.org/news/annenberg-foundation-announces-funding-ten-additional-my-la2050-grants-challenge/.
  60. “Kresge Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF.) 2018. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/381359217/02_2020_prefixes_35-38%2F381359217_201812_990PF_2020021917163604.
  61. “Houston Endowment Inc.” Return of a Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF.) 2018. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/746013920/201933189349100323/full.
  62. “Young Invincibles.” Search Our Grants: Young Invincibles. David and Lucile Packard Foundation. 2018 Grants. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/young-invincibles-4/
  63. “Young Invincibles.” Lumina Foundation. Grant 10443. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.luminafoundation.org/grant/10443/.
  64. “Young Invincibles.” Search Our Grants: Young Invincibles. David and Lucile Packard Foundation. 2017 Grants. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/young-invincibles-3/.
  65. “Young Invincibles.” Search Our Grants: Young Invincibles. David and Lucile Packard Foundation. 2017 Grants. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/young-invincibles-2/.
  66. “Kohlberg Foundation Inc.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF.) 2017. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133496263/201813189349103311/IRS990PF.
  67. “New Venture Fund.” Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990, Schedule I). 2017. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/205806345/201843169349302864/IRS990ScheduleI.
  68. “Kresge Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2017. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/381359217/02_2019_prefixes_36-38%2F381359217_201712_990PF_2019021916106114.
  69. “The California Endowment.” Return of Private Foundation. (990-PF.) 2015. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954523232/201720409349100702/IRS990PF.
  70. “Proteus Fund, Inc.” Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990, Schedule I). 2016. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/43243004/201733199349302913/IRS990ScheduleI
  71. “Donor Advised Fund – Young Invincibles.” Proteus Fund. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://www.proteusfund.org/grant/younginvincibles/.
  72. “Annenberg Foundation Announces Ten Additional Grants.” Annenberg Foundation. 2013 Grants. November 12, 2013. Accessed June 29, 2021. https://annenberg.org/news/annenberg-foundation-announces-funding-ten-additional-my-la2050-grants-challenge/.
  73. “Young Invincibles.” Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/462214021/02_2021_prefixes_46-47%2F462214021_201912_990_2021021917722111.
  74. “Young Invincibles.” Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/462214021/01_2020_prefixes_45-46%2F462214021_201812_990_2020010316995435.
  75. “Young Invincibles.” Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990). 2017. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/462214021/02_2019_prefixes_46-46%2F462214021_201712_990_2019020816077075.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: July 1, 2014

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2019 Dec Form 990 $6,958,638 $5,832,531 $4,423,838 $384,570 N $6,661,680 $285,752 $7,517 $385,733 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $5,708,448 $6,685,015 $3,357,183 $303,004 Y $5,120,747 $578,320 $6,998 $313,325 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $6,928,667 $5,148,627 $3,916,236 $223,183 N $6,422,836 $505,831 $0 $297,258 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $5,419,072 $4,687,863 $2,008,930 $152,974 Y $4,267,239 $1,141,220 $0 $269,740 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $4,189,326 $2,986,491 $1,368,462 $199,590 Y $3,282,391 $904,663 $22 $56,992 PDF
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    Young Invincibles

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