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The Young Mens Christian Assoc of Ithaca and Tompkins County

EIN 15-0545415 · Ithaca, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF THE YMCA IS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY REACHING OUT TO EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IN A SPIRIT OF INCLUSION AND FELLOWSHIP. YMCAS PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY FOR ALL. YMCA PROGRAMS FOCUS ON FOUR CORE VALUES - CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. WE SERVE MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, RACES, ABILITIES, INCOMES, NATIONAL ORIGINS, AND RELIGIONS. WE PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT. WE IDENTIFY NEEDS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND RESPOND TO THEM SO THAT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM OUR EFFORTS.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
211
Volunteers
149
Highest pay
$134,814, 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: 64 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 25

    11 of 11 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. $737,973 spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: YMCA YOUTH PROGRAMS GIVE KIDS GOOD ROLE MODELS TO HELP THEM DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM AND GOOD VALUES, INCLUDING COOPERATION, RESPECT, GOOD CITIZENSHIP, AND A STRONG WORK ETHIC. THE SOCIAL INTERACTION, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, OPPORTUNITIES TO ASSIST OTHERS AND EDUCATIONAL INVOLVEMENT ARE AMONG THE GOALS AND IDEAS FOR EACH YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN YMCA PROGRAMS.THE YMCA DAY CAMP PROGRAM PROVIDES A LASTING EXPERIENCE OF PERSONAL ENRICHMENT. DAY CAMP OFFERS ADVENTURE AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES THAT PROVIDE CHALLENGE AND PROMOTE SPIRITUAL AWARENESS, MENTAL DEVELOPMENT, PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, SOCIAL GROWTH, AND SELF-RESPECT. CAMPING HELPS YOUTH BECOME AWARE OF THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CAPABILITIES, TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF COOPERATION, AND TO GAIN CONFIDENCE.THE SCHOOL AGE CHILDCARE (SACC) AND OTHER YOUTH SPORT AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS DURING THE SHCOOL YEAR ARE SIMILAR IN NATURE TO THE SUMMER CAMPING PROGRAM IN TERMS OF THE EFFECT ON YOUTH LIVES. PARTICIPANTS IN THE YMCA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE AND LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES AS THEY DEVELOP THEIR SOCIAL IDENTITY.
  2. $1.4 million spent. HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS: HELPING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES TO DEVELOP HEALTH IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY IS AT THE CORE OF THE YMCA MISSION. OUR PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE CREATE REALISTIC GOALS FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT AND EMPHASIZE DISEASE PREVENTION THROUGH REGULAR EXERCISE, PROPER NUTRITION, STRESS MANAGEMENT, AND HEALTH EDUCATION. SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH, FAMILIES AND ADULTS PROMOTE TEAMWORK, INTERACTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL SKILLS.OUR AQUACIZE PROGRAM IS AN AQUATIC PROGRAM THAT KEEPS SENIORS ACTIVE AND FLEXIBLE; OUR AQUATIC PROGRAM(PROGRESSIVE SWIM) HELPS TO DEVELOP PHYSICAL SKILLS IN TODDLERS THROUGH SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN; OUR FAMILY SWIM PROGRAM GIVES ADULTS AND CHILDREN SHARE TIME IN THE POOL TO APPRECIATE ONE ANOTHER AND PROMOTE INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS. OUR SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT AFFORDABLE FEES FOR THE COMMUNITY SERVICE AREA, WITH REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AND WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AND WITH FINANCIAL ASSISSTANCE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE FULL FEE.IN LIGHT OF THE RISING OBESITY RATES IN THIS COUNTRY, OUR YMCA PARTICIPATES IN THE ACTIVATE AMERICA INITIATIVE AND ENGAGES IN A VARIETY OF EVENTS, PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO HELP THE "AT RISK POPULATION" DEVELOP HABITS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLES.
  3. THE YMCA HAS ESTABLISHED A POLICY OF "NEVER REFUSING MEMBERSHIP AND/OR PROGRAM SERVICES SOLELY BASED ON THE APPLICANTS INABILITY TO MEET THE COST". THE ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM APPROVED 159 YOUTH AND FAMILY MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANCE REQUESTS VALUED AT $80,559.

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 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 December 1942.

    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 November 4, 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.