The Waterbury Young Mens Christian Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE WATERBURY YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (YMCA) IS TO ADVANCE OUR CAUSE OF STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY THROUGH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE YMCA IS A POWERFUL ASSOCIATION OF MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN COMMITTED TO BRINGING ABOUT LASTING PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE. WITH A FOCUS ON NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN, IMPROVING THE COMMUNITIES HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE BACK AND SUPPORT NEIGHBORS, THE YMCA ENABLES YOUTH, ADULTS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES TO BE HEALTHY, CONFIDENT, CONNECTED, AND SECURE.
- Income
- $10.8 million
- Spending
- $10.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 0 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 40%
- Employees
- 417
- Volunteers
- 121
- Highest pay
- $312,257, ceo
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
Fair: 60 out of 100.
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover -0.0 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 25% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% 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.
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $5.8 million spent. YMCA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: THE WATERBURY 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 IS WHY WE HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CULTIVATE THE VALUES, SKILLS, AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS. OUR YMCA PROGRAMS SUCH AS CHILD CARE, YOUTH SPORTS, CAMP PROGRAMS AND OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMMING, OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH. THE WATERBURY YMCA CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER SERVED OVER 270 CHILDREN DAILY AND 550 OVERALL THROUGH OUR NAEYC ACCREDITED SCHOOL READINESS PRESCHOOL AND THE BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE RUN AT THE WEST MAIN STREET AND PROSPECT STREET LOCATIONS AND 6 OFF-SITE LOCATIONS IN THE GREATER WATERBURY AREA THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND BOARDS OF EDUCATION. THE SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM IS BASED ON A SLIDING FEE SCALE AND HELPS PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY PRESCHOOL PROGRAMMING TO OVER 260 CHILDREN WITHIN THE WATERBURY COMMUNITY. AS PART OF THE YMCA MISSION TO PROMOTE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, THE YMCA SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM PARTICIPATES IN THE CACFP STATE NUTRITION PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SNACKS TO THE PRESCHOOL CENTER CHILDREN DAILY. THE YMCA FOCUSES ON THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS, EDUCATION, SAFETY, AND PREPAREDNESS OF CHILDREN AND STRIVES TO BUILD POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PARENTS AND YMCA STAFF. THE SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM CURRICULUM IS BASED ON THE EARLY LEARNING DEVELOPMENTAL STANDARDS AND IS ENRICHED WITH MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS YOGA. THE YMCA CONTINUES TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE MANY CHILD DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES WE OFFER. SIMILARLY, THE WATERBURY YMCA SCHOOL AGE CHILDCARE PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AGE APPROPRIATE QUALITY CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES LIVING AND WORKING IN THE GREATER WATERBURY AREA. WE STRIVE TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL AND ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES BASED ON THE 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS AND ENCOURAGE CURIOSITY, EXPLORATION, AND INITIATIVE. WE RECOGNIZE AND ACCEPT THAT EACH CHILD IS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH UNIQUE NEEDS, ABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCES. ACTIVITIES AND MATERIALS ARE PLANNED AND IMPLEMENTED TO PROMOTE LEADERSHIP, TEAM BUILDING, AND SELF-ESTEEM. THE EDUCATION PLAN OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE THE CHILDREN ENROLLED WITH A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND A STRUCTURED DAILY SCHEDULE THAT MEETS AND ENHANCES THE NEEDS OF THE DIVERSE POPULATION SERVED. CULTURAL, LANGUAGE, AND DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFERENCES ARE ACCEPTED AND RESPECTED. THERE ARE SCHEDULED INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES OFFERED DAILY WHICH ALLOW THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FINE AND GROSS MOTOR DEVELOPMENT, PROBLEM SOLVING, SPORTS AND RECREATION, AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION. THE PROGRAM IS CHILD NOT TEACHER BASED AND ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO EXPLORE AND DEVELOP THEIR OWN PERSONAL THOUGHTS AND BELIEFS AND DEVELOPS TEAM BUILDING AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. CAMP PROGRAMMING: THE WATERBURY YMCA HAS OPERATED YMCA CAMP MATAUCHA OUTDOOR CENTER IN WATERTOWN FOR 98 YEARS AND HAS RUN YMCA CAMP OAKASHA IN SOUTHBURY FOR 28 YEARS CONTINUING ITS CHARITABLE MISSION OF OFFERING DAY CAMPING EXPERIENCES THAT ARE AIMED TO TEACHING POSITIVE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY. BOTH YMCA CAMP MATAUCHA AND YMCA CAMP OAKASHA ARE ABLE TO DO THIS THROUGH A FOCUS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE YMCA BELIEVES THAT THE EXPERIENCE A CHILD HAS AT CAMP GREATLY AFFECTS THE VALUES THEY LEARN AND THE PERSON THEY BECOME. THE CAMP PROGRAMS SERVED 1200 CAMPERS AGES 5 THROUGH 15 THROUGHOUT THE SEASON, AVERAGING 400 CAMPERS PER DAY OVER THE 9-WEEK CAMP SEASON. CAMPERS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN ENRICHING ACTIVITIES INCLUDING ARCHERY, SWIMMING, ARTS & CRAFTS, BOATING, FIELD GAMES, NATURE, HIKING, LOW AND HIGH ROPES CHALLENGES, FAMILY NIGHTS, FAMILY OVERNIGHTS, SPORTS, ROCK CLIMBING, AND MORE. THE WATERBURY YMCA WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE OVER $176,000 IN CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS DUE TO THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY, THE STATE AND THE COMMUNITY THAT WERE PROVIDED TO CHILDREN OF FINANCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES. THESE CHILDREN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE WHOLESOME VALUES AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS IN AN ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT WITH OUR HAND-SELECTED "PROFESSIONAL ROLE MODELS". YMCA CAMP MATAUCHA FACILITIES ARE ALSO A VALUABLE OUTDOOR RESOURCE FOR VARIOUS COMMUNITY GROUPS SUCH AS SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS IN ADDITION TO NUMEROUS AT-RISK YOUTH AND TEEN GROUPS WHO UTILIZE THE ADVENTURE CHALLENGE COURSE. THE YMCA TEAMBUILDING AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP GROUPS FOCUS ON TEAM BUILDING, IMPROVING COMMUNICATION, AND DEVELOPING TRUST. IN ADDITION, THE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM ENCOURAGES GOAL SETTING, GROUP DECISION-MAKING, AND BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE. (Expenses $ including grants of $)(Revenue $ 296,325) Other
- $2.1 million spent. HEALTHY LIVING: THE YMCA IS A LEADING ADVOCATE PROMOTING 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, 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. MEMBER SERVICES AT THE WATERBURY YMCA INCLUDES ACCESS AND USE OF A STATE-OF-THE-ART WELLNESS CENTER, GYMNASIUM, 2 RACQUETBALL COURTS, LAP SWIMMING POOL, WARM WATER THERAPEUTIC POOL, INDOOR TRACK, GROUP FITNESS STUDIO, FULLY-EQUIPPED LOCKER ROOMS AND OTHER SERVICES. THE YMCA OFFERS A WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE WHERE HEALTH SEEKERS CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE AND RECEIVE THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT NEEDED TO CONTINUE HEALTHY LIVING THROUGH THE GUIDANCE OF TRAINED PROFESSIONALS. THE YMCA PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO SERVE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES AND INCOMES. ALL YMCA PROGRAMS FOCUS ON ADDRESSING SEVERAL PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES INCLUDING OBESITY, DIABETES, AND HEART DISEASE. BY PROVIDING ACCESSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH PROGRAMS SUCH AS OUR "OPEN DOORS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM", WE WERE ABLE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED ON THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL OF LEVELS, AFFORDABILITY.
- $588,397 spent. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: THE WATERBURY YMCA BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK AND SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS. YMCA PROGRAMS SUCH AS WORKFORCE, LEARN TO SWIM, LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA, AND OTHER PROGRAMMING ARE EXAMPLES OF HOW WE DELIVER TRAINING, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT THAT EMPOWER OUR NEIGHBORS TO EFFECT CHANGE, BRIDGE GAPS, AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES. WE ENGAGE YMCA MEMBERS, PARTICIPANTS, AND VOLUNTEERS IN ACTIVITIES THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY AND PAVE THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO THRIVE. THE BERKELEY WARNER RECREATION CENTER SERVES YOUTH AND TEENS IN THE ADJACENT BERKELEY HEIGHTS HOUSING COMPLEX AND IS WELL ATTENDED WITH STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES FOR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS, ENSURING AN EASILY ACCESSIBLE SAFE AND SUPERVISED ENVIRONMENT FOR AT-RISK YOUTH LIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE YMCA BRINGS A VARIETY OF ACADEMIC, ENRICHMENT, ATHLETIC AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS TO THE CENTER. OTHER ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS INCLUDE THE BERKELEY WARNER KNIGHTS DRILL TEAM. THE WATERBURY YMCA IS COMMITTED TO USING ITS RESOURCES IN COOPERATION WITH THE GREATER COMMUNITY AND ITS ASSOCIATED AGENCIES INCLUDING SAINT MARY'S HOSPITAL, WATERBURY HOSPITAL, THE CITY OF WATERBURY, WATERBURY YOUTH SERVICES, UNITED WAY, CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, MATTATUCK MUSEUM, BOYS GIRLS' CLUB AND NUMEROUS OTHERS. ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY THE WATERBURY YMCA INCLUDE DIABETES PREVENTION, AQUATIC TESTING, AED, CPR AND FIRST AID TRAINING COURSES, AND LIFE SAVING CLASSES AND CERTIFICATIONS. (Expenses $ including grants of $)(Revenue $ 296,325) Other
- Other
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
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 October 13, 2026.
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 November 6, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1934.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 2026.
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