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YMCA of Greater Cleveland

EIN 34-0714728 · Cleveland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE YMCA OF GREATER CLEVELAND'S MISSION IS TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL.

Income
$31.6 million
Spending
$33.3 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 78%
Employees
1,233
Volunteers
545
Highest pay
$330,721, ceo and president

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

    24 of 24 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 (4)
  1. $17.5 million spent. Health and Wellness In 2025, the Y offered an array of programs extending beyond mere exercise, tailored to foster holistic well-being for individuals of all ages. Numerous seniors engaged in activities aimed at enhancing their daily functionality, bolstering balance to prevent falls, promoting cardiovascular health, and participating in educational and social gatherings crafted to combat feelings of isolation and melancholy. Scores of adults grappling with chronic illnesses revamped their lifestyles through initiatives emphasizing nutritious eating habits, increased physical activity, and effective disease management. The Y's initiatives in water safety and swimming prioritized drowning prevention while equipping both youths and adults with vital aquatic skills, fostering confidence and safety around water. Moreover, the Y's sports programs afforded countless young participants the chance to cultivate teamwork skills within an environment deliberately fostering values of compassion, integrity, respect, and accountability. (Expenses $ including grants of $) Community Impact Over $956,000 in financial assistance for memberships and program participation. More than 3,712 senior citizens joined in 86 bus and air travel trips, helping us to fight isolation in the senior population. Every branch addressed local community needs in a variety of ways. 174 branch board volunteers and 347 program volunteers supported the YMCA
  2. $6.3 million spent. Social Responsibility Y-Haven provides transitional housing, Substance Use Disorder and mental health treatment, and other critical services to adult women and men who are experiencing homelessness, re-entering the community from incarceration, and seeking to recover from opioid use disorder. Y-Haven worked to help participants recover from addiction and mental illness, secure income and permanent housing, and reduce the likelihood of overdose. Y-Haven did this through the provision of safe transitional housing, high-quality behavioral health treatment, nursing care management, case management, vocational support, and other needed services. In 2025 Y-Haven provided transitional housing and Substance Use Disorder treatment to 609 adults, 46 of whom were Veterans experiencing homelessness. Sixty-eight percent of residents completed 90 days of Intensive Outpatient Treatment, and 45% obtained employment or training (less those receiving SSI/SSDI or engaged in intensive outpatient treatment). Less than 1% of those served recidivated to prison, and less than 5% returned to emergency shelter upon exiting the program. During 2025 Y-Haven completed a two-year, $6 million renovation of its 208 residential rooms and 25 staff offices in its facility. The funds came from public and private sources.
  3. $5.5 million spent. Youth Development Our Youth Development programs continue to return to pre-COVID activity. In 2025, we served thousands of children in our various programs. For example, we provided 1,090 kids per day with our before-and-after-school (Y-Club) and pre-school programs. More than 2,000 children participated in our Junior Cavs program. Our summer camps served 1,913 children in day, sports and fine arts camps. We also taught thousands of kids and teens to swim. We were delighted to expand our Teen Leaders and Teen Cafe programs, providing positive and productive activities along with leadership training. Our We Run This City youth marathon program, serving kids in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and the Warrensville Heights City School District, had another successful year in partnership with the Cleveland Marathon. For all of our youth development programs, we provided need-based scholarships to make our programs more affordable. To determine how to allocate scholarships, we use several factors, such as the annual income of the applicant, the number of adults in the home, and the number of dependents. (Expenses $ including grants of $) Community Impact Over $956,000 in financial assistance for memberships and program participation. More than 3,712 senior citizens joined in 86 bus and air travel trips, helping us to fight isolation in the senior population. Every branch addressed local community needs in a variety of ways. 174 branch board volunteers and 347 program volunteers supported the YMCA
  4. Community Impact Over $956,000 in financial assistance for memberships and program participation. More than 3,712 senior citizens joined in 86 bus and air travel trips, helping us to fight isolation in the senior population. Every branch addressed local community needs in a variety of ways. 174 branch board volunteers and 347 program volunteers supported the YMCA

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 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 2025.

    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 February 1937.

    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.