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YMCA of Reading & Berks Co

EIN 23-1244009 · Reading, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE YMCA OF READING AND BERKS COUNTY'S MISSION IS TO PUT JUDEO-CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL. THE YMCA OF READING AND BERKS COUNTY IS A CAUSE-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION THAT IS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. THAT'S BECAUSE A STRONG COMMUNITY CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED WHEN WE INVEST IN OUR KIDS, OUR HEALTH AND OUR NEIGHBORS.

Income
$10.2 million
Spending
$10.3 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
-4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 46%
Employees
422
Volunteers
508
Highest pay
$229,855, president & 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 24% 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

    10 of 20

    It owes 46% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 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 (7)
  1. $3.4 million spent. CHILD CARE - THE YMCA OF READING AND BERKS COUNTY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST PROVIDERS OF CHILDCARE IN BERKS COUNTY. THE YMCA PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE BY COMPREHENSIVE, AGE APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES FOR INFANTS THROUGH SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN AT TWO FULL DAY CENTERS AND TEN BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL LOCATIONS. WE PROVIDE FULL AND PART TIME OPTIONS AT ALL LOCATIONS, AS WELL AS SECOND SHIFT CARE AT OUR READING LOCATION, TO SERVE A WIDE RANGE OF FAMILY SCHEDULING NEEDS. WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF THE YMCA MISSION IS A COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES. YMCA CHILDCARE PROGRAMS RELIEVE THE BURDEN OF BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY AND MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN OUR CARE TO REMAIN GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, KNOWING THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE THRIVING IN A SAFE, DEVELOPMENTALLY SOUND ENVIRONMENT. THE YMCA COLLABORATES WITH OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO PROVIDE SUBSIDY FOR CHILDCARE FEES AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN. ALL YMCA CHILDCARE CENTERS ARE LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND ARE KEYSTONE STARS QUALITY-RATED.
  2. $1.4 million spent. HUMAN SERVICES - OUR YMCA WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH GOVERNMENTAL AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES TO PROVIDE TEN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS MEN, WOMEN AND WOMEN WITH CHILDREN. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE LIFE SKILLS, EDUCATION, JOB READINESS AND INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LEAVING DRUG AND ALCOHOL REHABILITATION CENTERS AND/OR INCARCERATION. IN ADDITION, THE SAME SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO HOMELESS VETERANS, INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN DUALLY DIAGNOSED WITH DRUG ADDICTIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND SINGLE MOMS AND THEIR CHILDREN. THESE PROGRAMS CREATE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND BELONGING FOR OUR CLIENTS AND WERE DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE CLIENTS WITH THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THEY NEED TO BECOME SELF SUFFICIENT.
  3. $1.9 million spent. HEALTH AND WELLNESS/MEMBERSHIP - HELPING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES (REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY) TO DEVELOP HEALTH IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY IS AT THE CORE OF THE YMCA MOVEMENT. OUR PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE CREATE REALISTIC GOALS FOR SELF IMPROVEMENT AND EMPHASIZE DISEASE PREVENTION THROUGH REGULAR EXERCISE, PROPER NUTRITION, STRESS REDUCTION, AND HEALTH EDUCATION. SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH, FAMILIES AND ADULTS PROMOTE TEAMWORK, INTERACTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL SKILLS. OUR AQUATIC EXCERCISE PROGRAM KEEPS SENIORS ACTIVE AND FLEXIBLE; OUR AQUATIC PROGRAM HELPS TO DEVELOP PHYSICAL SKILLS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES; OUR FAMILY SWIM AND PARENT-CHILD PROGRAMS GIVE ADULTS AND CHILDREN SHARED TIME IN THE POOL TO INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER AND PROMOTE INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS. IN LIGHT OF THE NATIONAL OBESITY CRISIS, OUR YMCA PARTICIPATES IN THE MICHELLE OBAMA'S LET'S MOVE INITIATIVE AND PARTICIPATES IN A VARIETY OF EVENTS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO HELP THE "AT RISK POPULATION" DEVELOP HABITS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLES. YMCA MEMBERSHIP IS INCLUSIVE AND AVAILABLE REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY. THERE ARE NO CONTRACTS. YMCA MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL.
  4. $563,144 spent. AQUATICS - IN ADDITION TO TRADITIONAL YMCA SWIM LESSONS, THE YMCA PROVIDES COMMUNITY LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION CLASSES, MANAGES THE WOMELSDORF BOROUGH POOL, PROVIDES FREE SWIM LESSONS TO ALL CHILDREN ENROLLED IN CHILDCARE PROGRAMS AND OFFERS AGE GROUP SWIM TEAM PROGRAMS. OUR YMCA ALSO PROVIDES COMMUNITY FIRST AID AND CPR CERTIFICATION CLASSES.
  5. $446,658 spent. YOUTH - YMCA YOUTH AND TEEN PROGRAMS GIVE KIDS ROLE MODELS TO HELP THEM DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM AND STRONG VALUES, INCLUDING COOPERATION, RESPECT, GOOD CITIZENSHIP, FAIR PLAY, AND A STRONG WORK ETHIC. OUR TEEN PROGRAM IS A SAFE PLACE FOR TEENS TO COME AFTER SCHOOL TO PARTICIPATE IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, RECEIVE HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. THE 7TH GRADE INITIATIVE PROGRAM PROVIDES A FREE MEMBERSHIP TO ALL 7TH GRADERS IN THE READING SCHOOL DISTRICT. DAILY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE, SWIM LESSONS AND PAD REC TIME, HIP HOP AEROBICS, HOMEWORK HELP, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, ETC. YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS PROVIDE SKILL DEVELOPMENT TO MORE THAN 1,500 CHILDREN THROUGHOUT BERKS COUNTY EACH SEASON. YMCA DAY CAMP PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED TO OVER 1000 CHILDREN IN NINE CAMP AND FIVE PLAYGROUND LOCATIONS WITHIN THE ASSOCIATION.
  6. $271,880 spent. FOOD SERVICE - THE YMCA PROVIDES MEALS TO ALL CHILDREN ENROLLED IN CHILDCARE AND PARTICIPATES IN THE FEDERAL FOOD PROGRAM; MORE THAN 140,000 MEALS ARE SERVED ANNUALLY THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.
  7. $1,300 spent. INTERNATIONAL - OUR YMCA IS EXTREMELY ACTIVE IN WORLD SERVICE THROUGH THE YMCA OF THE USA AND CURRENTLY HAS PARTNERSHIPS IN IVANOVO, RUSSIA AND HANNOVER, GERMANY. THESE PARTNERSHIPS PROVIDE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS FOR INTERNATIONAL INTERNS, SUPPORT A STAFF MEMBER IN RUSSIA AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR GENERAL PROGRAM OPERATIONS.

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 2024.

    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 June 1998.

    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.