American Youth Hostels
Also known as Hostelling International USA
American Youth Hostels reported $32.7 million in revenue and $35.1 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $83.66 went to program services, $14.73 to management and general costs and $1.61 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was program service revenue such as fees, sales and contracts: 91.0% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $494,985 (CEO/ASST SECRETARY). 31 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue fell 17% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $35MFor context, the median across 933 covered housing & shelter charities: $89.27 programs, $10.73 management, $0.00 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $33MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 83.7% | 87.5% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 14.7% | 10.5% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 1.6% | 0.0% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.74 | $0.01 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 2.4% | 17.0% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 1.0% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 91.0% | 66.2% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $494,985 | $300,863 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.41% | 1.57% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 31 | 5 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 7.8 | 10.0 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 13 of 13 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseHostel stay: ayh provides a network of 14 hostels nationwide, and in a typical year hosts travelers from more than 80 countries with over 650,000 guest overnight stays annually. The shared community model at our hostels creates an environment for authentic cultural exchange and new experiences that can build cultural understanding. Each hostel is purposely designed with spaces and amenities that bring people together and encourage interaction in an inclusive and inviting way. We strategically develop and use spaces to deliver cultural exchange through experiential learning to our traveler…
Guest learning programs: ayh's hotel experience is based on the experiential learning model, one that encourages immersion, engagement, and reflection. Intentional designed tours, outings, and in-hostel gatherings delivered by staff and volunteers provide guests with opportunities to better understand other cultures and connect to local community. Program design is aligned with american association of colleges and universities (aacu) learning value rubrics in the disciplines of intercultural communication, civic engagement and global citizenship. Each year, in addition to the hostel stay…
Nationwide signature programs: ayh delivers national scope programs that provide opportunities for authentic cultural exchange and new experiences that can make an enduring difference in their lives and their worlds. Travel scholarships give 18 to 30 year olds, with qualified financial need, the opportunity to engage in educational travel within the USA and around the world. Say hi for peace engages hostel guests in activities that celebrate the united nations international day of peace, in partnership with hostels around the world and explore how they can contribute to a peaceful society.…
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEO/ASST SECRETARY Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $437,449 | $0 | $57,536 | $494,985 |
| VP SALES STAKEHOLDER ACTIV Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $213,456 | $0 | $36,198 | $249,654 |
| VP, HOSTEL DEV/ASST TREASU Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $224,638 | $0 | $20,577 | $245,215 |
| VP HR, ASST SECRETARY Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $183,656 | $0 | $49,598 | $233,254 |
| VP HEAD OF IT Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $222,113 | $0 | $6,415 | $228,528 |
| VP EXTERNAL AFFAIRS/ASST T Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $204,308 | $0 | $17,625 | $221,933 |
| VP, HOSTEL OPERATIONS Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $181,793 | $0 | $13,436 | $195,229 |
| CONTROLLER Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $155,839 | $0 | $22,481 | $178,320 |
31 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from American Youth Hostels (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $2.2M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b13 · 13 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 5483
- Volunteers Part I, line 6232
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| BOOKINGCOM BV Online booking service | $1,551,103 |
| STENSON ELEVATOR CO Elebator maintenance | $475,292 |
| C&M MAINTENANCE Housekeeping services | $215,467 |
| STAFF PRO LLC Housekeeping services | $184,873 |
| EXPEDIA INC Online booking engine | $178,249 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 8 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from American Youth Hostels's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for American Youth Hostels, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 American Youth Hostels spent in FY2025, $83.66 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Barton Creek Senior Living CenterDallas, TX · revenue $33M · programs 84.8% · 2024
- Paisano Housing Re-Development CorpEl Paso, TX · revenue $33M · 2025
- Center for Community ActionEverett, PA · revenue $32M · programs 91.8% · FY2025
- The Institute for Intergovernmental ResearchTallahassee, FL · revenue $33M · programs 80.3% · FY2025
- Burbank Housing Development CorporationSanta Rosa, CA · revenue $32M · programs 89.2% · 2024
All housing & shelter charities · Largest charities in Maryland
Questions people ask
How much of American Youth Hostels's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, American Youth Hostels reported that 83.7% of its $35.1 million in expenses went to program services, 14.7% to management and general and 1.6% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does American Youth Hostels pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation American Youth Hostels reported for one person in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 was $494,985, for the role of CEO/ASST SECRETARY (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does American Youth Hostels get its money?
Of $32.7 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, 2.4% came from contributions and grants and 91.0% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is American Youth Hostels a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 13-5639689 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, object 202522889349303507 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, object 202402819349300220 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, object 202302759349300915 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, object 202232729349300043 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, object 202142799349300809 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020, object 202110279349301571 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 13-5639689: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.