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Lower Merion Soccer Club

EIN 23-2563955 · Bryn Mawr, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The two primary objectives of Lower Merion Soccer Club are: To provide each and every child with a fun filled experience in a soccer environment. To develop children's soccer skills and knowledge of the game so that they can play at higher levels of play in future seasons

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
17
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$114,400, president

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $1.2 million spent. The Travel Team Program offers over 50 teams for our more talented and dedicated players ages 8-18. These teams compete against clubs from other areas of Southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond. Lower Merion Soccer Club fields up to four teams per age group so that more than just the top level players can have the opportunity to play against other clubs. Some Lower Merion Soccer Club teams have traveled to places such as Dallas, Florida, Phoenix and Sweden. In 2024, over 50 LMSC alumni will be playing at the college level. For families with financial needs Lower Merion Soccer Club provides assistance to travel team players by waving the registration fees. Annually at least 12 families receive this benefit from Lower Merion Soccer Club.
  2. $178,005 spent. Programs include the Fall and Spring Intramural Program for children ages 4-14. There are about 1,600 players in this program. For the younger players, it is their first introduction to soccer, they are taught the skills of the game by our very experienced coaching staff, with the help of many parent volunteers and referees. Our referees range in age from 11-20 and provide the first opportunity for many youngsters to earn a paycheck and take on the responsibilities of having a part time job. Most of our referees are current or former players in LMSC. There are over 100 referees who work in the Fall Intramural Program. In addition to refereeing games, they help teach the 4 and 5 year old age groups the skills of the game. For families with financial needs Lower Merion Soccer Club provides assistance to intramural players by waving the registration fees. Annually at least 12 families receive this benefit from Lower Merion Soccer Club.
  3. $40,367 spent. Lower Merion Soccer Club offers a wide variety of soccer training programs in the summer for intramural players and travel team players. The programs will all be run by our very experienced LMSC coaching staff. These are NOT recreational programs like our Fall Intramural Program and Spring Intramural Program. Rather, these are programs geared for our more enthusiastic and competitive players who wish to develop their skills to their highest possible levels. One of the primary goals of our Under 6 Training Program and our Under 7 Training Program is to develop our top players for the more competitive Travel Team Program.
  4. Each year, LMSC identifies a pool of Under 8 boys players and a pool of Under 8 girls players to train together during the fall and winter. The purpose of this program is to develop our top younger players for the Travel Team Program, starting the following fall season. The Spring Intramural Program is offered to children ages 5-11. Each year, over 1000 participants play in this program. The program is geared for novice players who have no prior soccer experience or a limited amount of prior soccer experience. Approximately 100 referees, ages 11-20, work in this program, serving as game referees as well as assisting in the coaching of the 5 and 6 year olds.

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 August 2006.

    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.