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Young Mens Christian Association of Greater Brandywine

EIN 23-1365994 · West Chester, 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

TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY FOR ALL.

Income
$47.9 million
Spending
$49.7 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
2,308
Volunteers
5,015
Highest pay
$427,210, 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 38% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 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

    32 of 32 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 (5)
  1. $11.3 million spent. CHILDCARE - OUR 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'S 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 CAMP, BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH. EXPENSES INCLUDE SUBSIDIES AND DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT MAKE PARTICIPATION POSSIBLE FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE WE ENGAGE.
  2. $10.1 million spent. YMCA MEMBERSHIP - THE YMCA IS A MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION THAT INVITES ALL PEOPLE TO JOIN AND BUILD A HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. WE ARE A VALUES-BASED ORGANIZATION THAT ENCOURAGES OUR MEMBERS AND ALL WHO PARTICIPATE IN YMCA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO DEVELOP MORAL AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR, SELF-ESTEEM, AND LEADERSHIP. THE LARGEST YMCA MEMBERSHIP TYPE IS THE FAMILY CATEGORY. WE GIVE FAMILIES A SAFE, RELIABLE, AND AFFORDABLE PLACE TO GO. RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS FAMILY NIGHTS AND PARENT-TEEN FITNESS CLASSES, FAMILY MARTIAL ARTS, AND NUMEROUS SPECIAL EVENTS LET FAMILIES RELAX AND ENJOY EACH OTHER. YMCA PROGRAMS SUCH AS ADVENTURE GUIDES HELP PEOPLE GROW AS RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF FAMILIES. YMCA MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS WITH ACTIVITIES THAT FOSTER UNDERSTANDING AND COMPANIONSHIP.
  3. $7.0 million spent. YMCA YOUTH - YMCA YOUTH AND TEEN PROGRAMS HELP KIDS DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM AND GOOD VALUES, INCLUDING COOPERATION, RESPECT FOR THE BODY, GOOD CITIZENSHIP, AND A STRONG WORK ETHIC. YOUTH SPORTS FOCUS ON THE FULL AND EQUAL PARTICIPATION OF ALL; EVERY CHILD PLAYS IN EVERY GAME. YMCA YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS ALSO HELP TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES. PARENTS COACH TEAMS AND TURN OUT, OFTEN WITH BROTHERS AND SISTERS, TO WATCH KIDS PLAY. YOUNG PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS BUILD LIFELONG POSITIVE ATTITUDES, HABITS OF HEALTHY EXERCISE, AND LEARN WAYS TO HAVE FUN AS ADULTS. TEEN ACTIVITIES ARE AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE YMCA, PROVIDING ADOLESCENTS WITH STRUCTURE AND ACTIVITIES PARTICULARLY AFTER SCHOOL.
  4. $7.2 million spent. YMCA AQUATICS - YMCA AQUATICS PROGRAMS ARE PART OF THE YMCA'S OVERALL GOAL OF BUILDING HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING SPECIFIC SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY SKILLS, WE PROMOTE GOOD HEALTH THROUGH REGULAR EXERCISE. WE ALSO PROMOTE TEAMWORK, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND LEADERSHIP. THESE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AT FEES AFFORDABLE TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE FULL FEE.
  5. $7.7 million spent. YMCA HEALTH AND FITNESS - THE Y IS A LEADING VOICE ON 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. OUR PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND OPEN TO ALL FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES, AND INCOME LEVELS.

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 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 April 1945.

    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.

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