Dena,
When we started this engagement in the fall of 2025, Youth of Royalty Outreach had real passion, real programs, and a real community behind it however the foundation underneath all of that needed to catch up. Our goal was never to change what you has been built but strengthen it while creating sustainability.
Throughout this engagement, you showed up, asked great questions and pushed through the moments where it felt overwhelming. And the organization that exists today is compliant, governed, documented, and better resourced thanks to your efforts.
This memo is a record of what was built together, where things stand today, and what comes next.
- IRS tax-exempt status confirmed active and in good standing
- Texas Comptroller standing verified [Filing AP-204]
- 990-N filing support established and ongoing
- Compliance baseline documented for the organization's records
- Full bylaw review and modernization completed
- Duplicate and conflicting articles resolved
- Conflict of interest, ethics, and nondiscrimination provisions added
- Adoption meeting guide, script, and checklist delivered
- Board Meeting and Documentation SOP
- Financial Management and Reimbursement SOP
- Records Retention SOP
- Program Planning and Reporting SOP
- Volunteer and Youth Safety SOP
- Partnership and Community Engagement SOP
- Grant coaching and application strategy sessions completed
- Program budget framework developed
- Grant tracking database delivered
- Sponsorship letter templates created (food & refreshments, college-bound resources, Black Arts Expo)
- Grassroots grant search methodology introduced
Goodstack is the nonprofit verification platform that now serves as the gateway to Google for Nonprofits, Canva for Nonprofits, and a growing list of other technology discounts. You verify once, and that verification unlocks multiple platforms. This is your highest-leverage first move.
- IRS Determination Letter (confirms 501(c)(3) status)
- EIN Assignment Letter
- Organization's adopted bylaws
- A Gmail account and phone number for verification
Go to google.com/nonprofits and click Get Started. Google will send your information directly to Goodstack for review. Watch your inbox (including spam) for emails from verifications@mail.goodstack.org. Most verifications are completed within 3–5 business days.
Given how much you use Canva for flyers, event materials, and outreach, this one is especially worth doing. Canva for Nonprofits gives you full Canva Pro access plus team collaboration tools, completely free, for up to 50 team members. Your existing designs will carry over automatically.
- IRS Determination Letter
- EIN Assignment Letter
- Organization bylaws (have ready in case requested)
Apply separately at canva.com/canva-for-nonprofits. Canva also uses Goodstack for verification, so if you've already completed Step 1, the process may move faster. Review is typically completed within a few business days.
Givebutter is the platform I am recommending as your central hub for donor management, event payments, and fundraising. It replaces the spreadsheets and disconnected tools and brings everything into one place (contacts, donations, events, and reporting). Plus, it is completely free to use.
- Tracks all donors, sponsors, and community stakeholders in one place
- Accepts donations and event payments online (Black Arts Expo, workshops, etc.)
- Sends email and text updates to your supporter base
- Generates donor acknowledgment letters for tax purposes
- Runs fundraising campaigns and peer-to-peer drives
- Built-in financial tools including a wallet that earns cash back on stored funds
Create your free account at givebutter.com. No nonprofit verification is required to get started. Just sign up and begin building your contact list.
Candid (formerly GuideStar) is where grant funders, corporate sponsors, and institutional donors go to verify an organization before they give. A complete profile tells the story of YORO: your mission, programs, leadership, and financials. This is one of the most direct investments you can make in your funding credibility.
- IRS Determination Letter (required to claim your profile)
- EIN number
- Organization logo, mission statement, and program descriptions
- Board member names and bios (basic level)
- Most recent financial information
Go to candid.org, search for Youth of Royalty Outreach, and claim your organization's profile. The basic profile is free and takes about 30–45 minutes to complete. Aim for a Silver Seal of Transparency at minimum.
Closing this chapter of our engagement is not the end of the relationship. I genuinely believe in what Youth of Royalty Outreach is building, and I will remain in your corner as you continue to grow.
I will continue supporting your annual 990-N filings for as long as YORO's revenue remains under $50,000 and when the time comes that the organization grows beyond that threshold, we will transition to the appropriate filing together.
The work you are doing, in COMO, across Fort Worth, and with every young person who walks through your door deserves strong infrastructure behind it.
Keep Pushing Forward