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Passes our checks

West Suburban Y M C a

EIN 04-2104783 · Newton, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O.

Income
$16.0 million
Spending
$14.8 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-11.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
640
Volunteers
491
Highest pay
$343,453, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 55% 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 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 18 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, 2025, 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. $7.0 million spent. Youth Development - Our YMCA is committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen. We believe all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That is 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 childcare, preschool, youth sports, and day and overnight camps, serve thousands of children annually and offer a range of experiences that enrich social-emotional, cognitive and physical growth. Expenses include subsidies and direct financial assistance that make participation possible for all the young people we engage, regardless of income. The Y continues to significantly invest in our facilities to increase capacity to serve children.
  2. $5.8 million spent. Healthy Living - The West Suburban YMCA is committed to improving America's health and well-being, community by community. We bring families closer together, encourage good health, and foster connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result, over 20,000 people in our community are receiving the support, guidance and resources they need to achieve greater health in spirit, mind and body. In addition, we offer specialized programs for cancer survivors, those with disabilities, and older adults. This is particularly important as our nation struggles with chronic disease and obesity, families wrestle 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. We opened a second full service YMCA in Newton to expand access to people of all ages. After three years of operating two full facility YMCA's, our extended reach in our community has enabled us to double the number of members engaged with our YMCA, serving nearly 10,000 households and 19,000 individuals at the end of 2025.
  3. $166,484 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 140 years. Through mission-based programs, such as subsidized housing, we deliver training, resources, and support that empower our neighbors to effect change, bridge gaps, and overcome obstacles. In 2025 we engaged thousands of YMCA members, participants and volunteers in activities that strengthen our community and pave the way for future generations to thrive. Our financial aid program has reached an all-time high; in 2025 we distributed more than $740,000 in program and membership subsidies to ensure that all our neighbors can thrive at the Y.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 February 1946.

    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.