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Darien Community Young Mens Christian Association Inc

EIN 06-0859795 · Darien, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE DARIEN YMCA'S MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN THE FOUNDATION OF OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY FOR ALL. WE ARE GUIDED BY OUR CORE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. THE DARIEN YMCA SUPPORTS STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS, AND THE BUILDING OF COMMUNITIES THROUGH PROMOTING HEALTH AND WELLNESS. WE HAVE BEEN A CRITICAL RESOURCE IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR OVER 50 YEARS WITH 300+ PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON HEALTHY LIVING, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. WE SERVE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS OF ALL ABILITIES, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LEVELS AND NEVER TURN ANYONE AWAY FROM OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO PAY.

Income
$14.0 million
Spending
$11.8 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
356
Volunteers
614
Highest pay
$375,834, 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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 45 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

    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, 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. $2.2 million spent. HEALTHY LIVING: OUR MISSION, CENTERED ON THE BALANCE OF SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY, PROVIDES PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES THAT ENCOURAGE HEALTHY LIVING. WE TRY TO MAKE IT EASY FOR ALL TO WORK OUT BY HAVING KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF WHO CARE, RESOURCES AND EQUIPMENT THAT MOTIVATES HEALTHY LIVING, AND A WELCOMING, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY WHO ENCOURAGE YOUR WELL-BEING. IN 2025, WE HAD OVER 297,000 ACTIVE CHECK-INS TO OUR FACILITY TO ENGAGE IN HEALTHY LIVING ACTIVITIES LIKE GROUP FITNESS CLASSES, SWIMMING, SPORTS, FITNESS CENTER, WEIGHT ROOM, PERSONAL TRAINING, SMALL GROUP TRAINING, WELLNESS COACHING AND MUCH MORE! THE Y CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE DEDICATED TO PROMOTING WELLNESS AND DISEASE PREVENTION AMONG PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES. FROM CARDIO AND STRENGTH BUILDING CLASSES, TO MIND-BODY AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS, EVERYBODY IS WELCOME AT THE Y AS THEY WORK TOWARD MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. WE HAD OVER 9,600 IN-PERSON PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS HELPING MEMBERS REGAIN THEIR CONFIDENCE, INCREASE THEIR STRENGTH, MOBILITY, AND FLEXIBILITY, AND IMPROVE THEIR BALANCE.
  2. $1.7 million spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: AT THE Y, WE GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE A SAFE PLACE TO BELONG, TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND TO LEARN POSITIVE BEHAVIORS FROM STRONG ROLE MODELS WHO EXEMPLIFY THE CORE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. WHETHER IT BE CHILDCARE, EARLY EDUCATION, YOUTH SWIMMING, GYMNASTICS AND SPORTS, OR SUMMER CAMP, OUR PROGRAMS AND STAFF PROVIDE THE SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES NEEDED TO HELP OUR YOUTH LEARN, GROW, AND THRIVE. AROUND 175 STUDENTS BELONGED TO THE Y'S EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM AT HOLLY POND SCHOOL WHERE CHILDREN HAD THE ABILITY TO DISCOVER THEIR POTENTIAL AND DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS. APPROXIMATELY 250 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN THE Y'S KIDS CLUB AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDED A FUN CHILDCARE OPTION FOR FAMILIES WHEN THE SCHOOL DAY ENDED. OVER $172,700 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS AWARDED TO 130 CHILDREN TO ATTEND KIDS CLUB, NURSERY SCHOOL, HOLLY CARE, OR VACATION CAMP IN 2025. MORE THAN 5,300 YOUTH BUILT A SENSE OF CONFIDENCE AND TEAMWORK WHILE STAYING ACTIVE THROUGH THE Y'S RECREATIONAL SPORTS PROGRAMS AND LEAGUES. MORE THAN 1,700 CHILDREN LEARNED TO BECOME SAFER AND MORE CONFIDENT IN THE WATER THROUGH SWIM LESSONS AT THE Y. OVER 1,300 KIDS ATTENDED SUMMER CAMP, INCLUDING CAMPERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WHERE THEY MADE NEW FRIENDS, TRIED NEW THINGS, AND MADE LASTING MEMORIES. ABOUT 145 YOUNG ATHLETES PARTICIPATED IN THE HOUSE TEAM AND PIRANHA SWIM TEAM: THE Y'S COMPETITIVE AQUATIC TEAMS. THESE PROGRAMS TEACH KIDS LIFE SKILLS SUCH AS SETTING GOALS, DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP, MANAGING THEIR TIME, ALONG WITH BUILDING THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE. OUR WORLD-CLASS GYMNASTICS PROGRAM SERVES PRESCHOOL AGE CHILDREN THROUGH YOUNG ADULTS, HELPING THEM STRIVE TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE IN AND OUT OF THE GYM. THIS INCREDIBLE PROGRAM SERVED OVER 1,600 CHILDREN IN 2025.
  3. $813,512 spent. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Y MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE INSPIRED EACH DAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS WITH SMALL AND LARGE ACTS OF KINDNESS. THESE MEMBERS' SUPPORT HAS HELPED OTHERS WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE TO HAVE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE. TURNING NO ONE AWAY: THE Y PROVIDED OVER $660,000 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR MORE THAN 900 INDIVIDUALS, ENSURING THAT NO ONE IS EVER TURNED AWAY FROM MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AT THE Y. OVER 600 INDIVIDUALS VOLUNTEERED OVER 6,700 HOURS AT THE Y, HELPING TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY, AND ENGAGE IN PHILANTHROPY. THE Y PROUDLY SUPPORTS MANY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING HOSTING MEETINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS FOR FELLOW NON-PROFITS, PROVIDING FACILITY USE FOR DARIEN ORGANIZATIONS, AND SERVING AS THE HOME POOL FOR THE DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL SWIM TEAM AND HOME GYM FOR THE DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASTICS TEAM. THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SERVICE AND FACILITY USAGE IS OVER $518,000. OUR 2025 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN RAISED OVER $300,000 UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF NICK ELSMO, CHAIRPERSON, AMY BELL, RAY DUGGINS, DANA MASSEY, KAKI MCGRATH AND JARED MURPHY.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1970.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.