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Greater Lowell Family Y M C a

EIN 04-2104398 · Lowell, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GREATER LOWELL FAMILY YMCA'S MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY BY SUPPORTING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL THROUGH PROGRAMS INFLUENCED BY OUR CORE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY.

Income
$6.8 million
Spending
$6.3 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
344
Volunteers
54
Highest pay
$202,132, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $2.7 million spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - OUR YMCA IS COMMITTED TO NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN. WE BELIEVE THAT ALL KIDS DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE. THAT'S WHY WE HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CULTIVATE THE VALUES, SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. OUR YMCA PROGRAMS, SUCH AS PRE-SCHOOL, SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE, SUMMER DAY CAMPS, AND AQUATIC PROGRAMS OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH. EXPENSES INCLUDE SUBSIDIES AND DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOTALING $179,092 MAKING PARTICIPATION POSSIBLE FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE WE ENGAGE.
  2. $2.5 million spent. HEALTHY LIVING - THE Y IS A LEADING VOICE ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WE BRING FAMILIES CLOSER TOGETHER, ENCOURAGE GOOD HEALTH AND FOSTER CONNECTIONS THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS, FUN AND SHARED INTERESTS. AS A RESULT, 5,972 PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE RECEIVING THE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE GREATER HEALTH IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS OUR NATION STRUGGLES WITH AN OBESITY CRISIS, FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH WORK/LIFE BALANCE AND INDIVIDUALS SEARCH FOR PERSONAL FULFILLMENT. OUR PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE AND OPEN TO ALL FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES AND INCOME LEVELS. IN 2024 WE PROVIDED $46,467 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO PARTICIPATE.
  3. $57,839 spent. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OUR YMCA BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK AND SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS FOR MORE THAN 149 YEARS. Y PROGRAMS, SUCH AS LIVESTRONG, PRAESIDIUM, PARKINSONS AND OUR FOOD DRIVES/DONATIONS ARE EXAMPLES OF HOW WE DELIVER TRAINING, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT THAT EMPOWER OUR NEIGHBORS TO EFFECT CHANGE, BRIDGE GAPS AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES. OUR GOAL IS TO SERVE 20% OF THE POPULATION IN OUR SERVICE AREA.IN 2024 WE ADDED AN OFFSITE LOCATION IN TEWKSBURY, MA EXPANDING PROGRAMMING, SUMMER CAMP, AND SCHOOL VACATION WEEK CHILDCARE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1934.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.