Valparaiso YMCA
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O FOR THE DETAILED MISSION DESCRIPTION.
- Income
- $7.8 million
- Spending
- $7.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- -3.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 85%
- Employees
- 430
- Volunteers
- 1,350
- Highest pay
- $196,822, ceo
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: 52 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 32% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2524 of 24 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $7.0 million spent. OUR YMCA PROGRAMS, SUCH AS THOSE DESCRIBED BELOW, OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH. CHILD CARE: THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA SEEKS TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE, HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE CARE AND EDUCATION FOR A DIVERSE COMMUNITY IN A SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. WE BELIEVE A PARTNERSHIP OF CHILD, PARENT, AND DEDICATED STAFF SUPPORTS CHILDREN IN OUR CARE TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE, RESPECTFUL AND CARING INDIVIDUALS. THE PARTNERSHIP STRIVES TO NOURISH THE CHILDREN'S PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING WELL-ROUNDED, FUN, CREATIVE AND ENRICHING PROGRAMS AND EXPERIENCES. IN 2025, OVER 800 CHILDREN ATTENDED CHILDCARE PROGRAMS AND WE SUBSIDIZED A TOTAL OF $146,060. DURING 2025, OUR CHILDCARE PROGRAMS: *UTILIZED A RICH CURRICULUM TO HELP KIDS BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE ACADEMIC AND LIFE SUCCESS AND INSTILLED A LOVE FOR LEARNING IN 125+ PRESCHOOLERS, TODDLERS, AND INFANTS. THIS CURRICULUM IS A KINDERGARTEN READINESS EDUCATION. CURRENTLY 98% OF OUR CHILDREN ENROLLED ARE KINDERGARTEN READY. *EMPHASIZED BUILDING STRONG CHARACTER VALUES AND SOCIAL INTERACTION SKILLS WHILE ENGAGING IN SUMMER FUN FOR SUMMER CAMP PARTICIPANTS. *PROVIDED ACADEMIC, SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL ENRICHMENT TO CHILDREN FROM 11 AREA SCHOOLS, IN BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS. ENGAGED IN FUN, SAFE PLAY IN CHILD WATCH WHILE THEIR PARENTS WERE USING THE YMCA FOR OVER 6,500 CHILDREN IN 2025. *CONTINUED STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH) PROGRAM IN SUMMER CAMP, BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL AND PRESCHOOL. THIS LEARNING INITIATIVE SEEKS TO BUILD YOUTH ANALYTICAL AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS THAT PREPARE CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS IN LIFE AND IN STEM CAREERS. *HEPA FACILITY (HEALTH EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) IS PART OF CURRICULUM AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS. HEPA ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES AT THE Y AND AT HOME. CHILDREN ALSO ENGAGE IN 30-60 MINUTES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AT THE Y. *INTEGRATE 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS IN CHILDREN THAT HELPS THEM ACT IN POSITIVE WAYS, MAKE BETTER DECISIONS, BOUNCE BACK FROM DIFFICULTIES THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF COPING SKILLS, AND ENGAGE IN RISKY BEHAVIORS LESS. OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMS: AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VALPARAISO COMMUNITY, THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA HAS SUPPORTED OUR MISSION TO MORE THAN 6,500 PROGRAM YOUTH PARTICIPANTS THROUGH OFFERING A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS FOR EVERY AGE AND INTEREST IN THE AQUATICS, SPORTS AND YOUTH FITNESS AREAS. DURING 2025, OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS: ENCOURAGED ACTIVE LIVING AND FOSTERED CONFIDENCE, CHARACTER, AND ATHLETIC SKILLS IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN BY TEACHING: *YOUTH SPORTS *FITNESS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILY FITNESS TO FAMILY PARTICIPANTS *HELPED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN BY TEACHING SWIMMING AND WATER SKILLS IN 2 POOLS. 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. 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. IN 2025, WE PROVIDED $432,884 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE FACED ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION. OUR YMCA BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK AND SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS FOR 79 YEARS. ABOUT 19,000 MEMBERS LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE AT THE Y AND 3,415 OLDER ADULTS KEEP WORKING ON THEIR WELLNESS. TO HELP CURB DROWNING DEATHS, WE PROVIDED NEARLY 2,400 SWIM LESSONS. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: OUR YMCA BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK AND SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS FOR 79 YEARS. IN 2025, THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA PROVIDED MEMBERSHIPS TO LOCAL GROUP HOMES AND HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES. THIS ALLOWED THOSE CLIENTS, WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FULL FEES, THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA COLLABORATES WITH OPPORTUNITY ENTERPRISES, BOY AND GIRL SCOUTS, ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION, AMERICAN RED CROSS, LOCAL ROTARY AND KIWANIS CLUBS, AS WELL AS THE PORTER COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL SYSTEMS, VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY, IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE, POWERS HEALTH, THE CITY OF VALPARAISO, THE FOOD BANK AND MANY OTHERS, TO PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICES TO THE PORTER COUNTY COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA IS INVOLVED IN THE FOLLOWING: *VOLUNTEERS: VOLUNTEER PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE AT OUR YMCA TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS. WE ENJOYED WORKING WITH OVER 1,350 VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING OVER 6,700 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE IN 2025. *CERTIFIED 429 STUDENTS AND ADULTS IN CPR AND FIRST AID AND LIFEGUARDING. *CONDUCTED LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA PROGRAM SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF CANCER. THIS PROGRAM HELPS CANCER SURVIVORS IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIFE AND ACHIEVE THEIR HOLISTIC HEALTH GOALS. *PARTNERED WITH A NON-PROFIT HOSPITAL TO DELIVER SERVICES THAT ENHANCE MEMBER'S HEALTH AND WELLNESS ALL GEARED TOWARDS CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION. PRIMARY AREAS OF PARTNERSHIP: COMMUNITY AND MEMBERS RECEIVED FREE SCREENINGS FOR VARIOUS AREAS OF WHICH SEVERAL SCREENINGS RESULTED IN CRITICAL FINDINGS THAT WERE LIFE-SAVING; SEMINARS ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS TOPICS ALL DELIVERED BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS; HEALTH FAIR; NUTRITION CONSULTATION; AND PHYSICIAN CONSULTATIONS. *OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDED: SENIOR RESOURCE DAY, HOLIDAY MARKET, SENIOR OUTINGS, SUPPER WITH SANTA, LENTEN LUNCH, HEALTHY FAMILY DAY. *PARTNERED WITH FOODBANK OF NORTHWEST INDIANA AND PROVIDED FOOD FOR 4,622 INDIVIDUALS. *SUPPORTED 100 CHILDREN WITH HOLIDAY GIFTS, HELPING FAMILIES WITH FOOD AND GIFTS AT THE HOLIDAYS. *HOST EVENTS THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILY CONNECTIONS, SUCH AS SUPPER WITH SANTA (FEEDING 160 PEOPLE). *PROVIDED
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1953.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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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