Statistics · October 2026
Youth program statistics 2026: nonprofits, state rules and registration software
Facts about youth programs in the United States, each in one line with its date and source. They come from IRS nonprofit records, our review of every state's rules and what registration platforms publish. Use them freely with credit to BackPR.
To cite this page: BackPR. "Youth program statistics 2026." October 2026. https://backpr.com/resources/youth-program-statistics (CC BY 4.0). Each fact has its own link: select # next to it.
The data behind these facts is free to download from the BackPR open data hub, and the full analysis is in The State of Youth Programs 2026.
Youth and community nonprofits
Active 501(c)(3) organizations in the IRS records posted in September 2026, counted by each organization's main IRS activity code (NTEE code). Some groups, such as amateur sports and arts education, include organizations that also serve adults.
171,592
IRS records list 171,592 active 501(c)(3) nonprofits in youth development, amateur sports, recreation, PTAs, children's services, arts education or childcare (171,286 of them in the 50 states and DC).#
As of September 2026. Source: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File, via BackPR's analysis
65,671
Among youth and community nonprofits, amateur sports is the largest group, with 65,671 organizations, followed by youth development with 58,326.#
As of September 2026. Source: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File, via BackPR's analysis
19,984
19,984 PTAs and PTOs are registered as 501(c)(3) nonprofits.#
As of September 2026. Source: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File, via BackPR's analysis
10,141
10,141 nonprofits run recreation programs, camps and clubs.#
As of September 2026. Source: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File, via BackPR's analysis
3,694
3,694 501(c)(3) nonprofits have childcare as their main activity.#
As of September 2026. Source: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File, via BackPR's analysis
8,392
8,392 501(c)(3) nonprofits have children's and youth services as their main activity.#
As of September 2026. Source: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File, via BackPR's analysis
77%
77% of the 171,592 youth and community nonprofits report annual revenue under $50,000 or have no revenue amount on file.#
As of September 2026. Source: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File, via BackPR's analysis
1,403
Of the 171,592 youth and community nonprofits, 1,403 (under 1%) report more than $5 million in annual revenue.#
As of September 2026. Source: IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File, via BackPR's analysis
23.8
There are 23.8 youth and community nonprofits for every 10,000 children in the 50 states and DC.#
As of September 2026 for IRS data and July 1, 2025 for the Census child population. Source: BackPR analysis of IRS and Census Bureau data
57.7
Among the 50 states and DC, Wyoming has the most of these nonprofits per child (57.7 per 10,000 children) and Utah the fewest (15.4). A higher rate means more organizations per child, not more or better programs.#
As of September 2026 for IRS data and July 1, 2025 for the Census child population. Source: BackPR analysis of IRS and Census Bureau data
16,945
California has the most youth and community nonprofits (16,945), followed by Texas (13,480) and Florida (9,283).#
As of September 2026. Source: IRS records, by state, via BackPR's analysis
State rules for camps and childcare
From our review of the rules in all 50 states and DC, checked in October 2026, using official state sources and published copies of state law. General information, not legal advice.
18
In 18 states, anyone who suspects child abuse must report it, not only teachers, childcare workers and other listed roles.#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR state rules library
18
In 18 states, both day and overnight camps need a camp-specific license, permit or registration, by BackPR's count (10 states were close calls).#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR state rules library
20
In 20 states, only some camp types need a camp-specific license, permit or registration, often only overnight camps, by BackPR's count.#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR state rules library
13
13 jurisdictions, including DC, have no statewide camp-specific license or permit, by BackPR's count, though camps there may still need a childcare license or local permits.#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR state rules library
1:10 to 1:26
For the youngest school-age children in licensed childcare centers, required ratios range from one adult for every 10 children (New York) to one for every 26 (Texas).#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR state rules library
1:15
1:15 is the most common school-age ratio in licensed childcare centers (15 jurisdictions), and 20 of the 50 jurisdictions with a confirmed ratio (49 states and DC; Ohio's couldn't be confirmed) set one between 1:13 and 1:15.#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR state rules library
1:8 to 1:20
Ratios for 4-year-olds in licensed childcare centers range from one adult for every 8 children (New York) to one for every 20 (Florida and North Carolina).#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR state rules library
Registration software pricing
What 48 registration and management platforms used by youth programs publish, checked October 10 to 19, 2026. "Not published" means we found nothing, not that a company doesn't offer it. BackPR sells registration software and isn't counted.
20 of 48
20 of 48 registration platforms publish no plan prices; 19 publish plan prices and 9 publish only some prices or a starting price.#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR pricing index of 48 platforms, from each company's own pages (BackPR, which sells competing software, isn't counted)
40 of 48
40 of 48 registration platforms publish no nonprofit offer, and none publishes a free plan for all nonprofits.#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR pricing index of 48 platforms, from each company's own pages (BackPR, which sells competing software, isn't counted)
6 of 48
By default, 6 of 48 registration platforms add a fee to what families pay (some let the program turn it off or cover it); 27 leave the choice to the program.#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR pricing index of 48 platforms, from each company's own pages (BackPR, which sells competing software, isn't counted)
18 of 48
18 of 48 registration platforms publish annual or longer contract terms, and 14 offer month-to-month plans or let customers cancel anytime.#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR pricing index of 48 platforms, from each company's own pages (BackPR, which sells competing software, isn't counted)
10 of 48
10 of 48 registration platforms publish their card processing rates in full, and 4 publish rates for some payment types.#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR pricing index of 48 platforms, from each company's own pages (BackPR, which sells competing software, isn't counted)
15 of 48
15 of 48 registration platforms charge for onboarding or data import, 14 include it at no extra cost and 19 don't say.#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR pricing index of 48 platforms, from each company's own pages (BackPR, which sells competing software, isn't counted)
6 of 48
6 of 48 registration platforms publish a Spanish option for families, and 10 publish partial Spanish support.#
As of October 2026. Source: BackPR pricing index of 48 platforms, from each company's own pages (BackPR, which sells competing software, isn't counted)
How we counted: see the method section of The State of Youth Programs 2026. Rule summaries are general information, not legal advice. Free to use under CC BY 4.0 with credit to BackPR.
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