YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule O
- Income
- $80.5 million
- Spending
- $104.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 1.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 55%
- Employees
- 3,070
- Volunteers
- 1,155
- Highest pay
- $512,507, president and chief executive officer
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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 39% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 2546 of 47 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
10 of 10Gave 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, 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)
- $29.8 million spent. Child Development: The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is committed to youth development. We believe every child and teen deserves the chance to reach his or her full potential. As one of the largest nonprofit organizations in Chicago, the Y offers a vast network of programs and services, including licensed child care, early childhood and afterschool programs, day camps, youth sports, youth groups, and other activities that give more than 25,000 youth of all ages across the region a safe and nurturing place to learn, grow, and thrive. Our innovative youth programming includes an anti-bias literacy approach for early learning, a Youth Safety and Violence Prevention initiative, with STEAM-based day camps, youth mentoring, and a Teen Leaders Club. (Expenses $ 11,456,639 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 78,116) Community Development: The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is a impact-driven nonprofit organization that responds to the changing needs and challenges of the individuals and families we serve, which includes opportunity gaps in education, exposure to violence, parent and family engagement, food insecurities, and chronic health problems. We remain a lifeline for communities by providing free, fresh produce through monthly food distribution events for families living in food deserts; teaching nutrition, healthy cooking and sustainability classes for individuals and families; pioneering innovative youth safety and violence prevention programming; offering free access to digital resources through our community hubs and bilingual helpdesk support line; providing high quality early education and care; and serving as a vital community asset across the Chicagoland area and throughout the Midwest. (Expenses $ 1,683,111 including grants of $ 8,738)(Revenue $ 1,630,975) Residences: A provider of supportive housing since 1931, the Y operates two Single-Room Only housing facilities in Chicago's Lake View and Irving Park neighborhoods. The facilities serve 437 people who identify as male with housing and case management to support the transition to stable permanent housing and employment.
- $27.8 million spent. Health Enhancement: The YMCA is dedicated to providing fitness and healthy living programs that empower children, adults, and families to learn, grow, and thrive. Free community events, such as an annual Healthy Kids Day, offer educational and fun activities that promote wellness and the development of healthy lifestyle choices that benefit the entire family. For more on our health equity efforts, please refer to the "Community Development" section.
- $9.7 million spent. Camping: The YMCA's day and overnight camps are American Camp Association-accredited, which means the Y maintains the highest standards regarding program quality. The Y offers 17 day camps and 5 resident camps, including specialty medical camps for children with physical and mental disabilities. Each camp focuses on the three key drivers of impact that inspire positive youth development journeys: achievement, relationships, and belonging. Through Y summer programs, the social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development of all youth are nurtured and celebrated. (Expenses $ 11,456,639 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 78,116) Community Development: The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is a impact-driven nonprofit organization that responds to the changing needs and challenges of the individuals and families we serve, which includes opportunity gaps in education, exposure to violence, parent and family engagement, food insecurities, and chronic health problems. We remain a lifeline for communities by providing free, fresh produce through monthly food distribution events for families living in food deserts; teaching nutrition, healthy cooking and sustainability classes for individuals and families; pioneering innovative youth safety and violence prevention programming; offering free access to digital resources through our community hubs and bilingual helpdesk support line; providing high quality early education and care; and serving as a vital community asset across the Chicagoland area and throughout the Midwest. (Expenses $ 1,683,111 including grants of $ 8,738)(Revenue $ 1,630,975) Residences: A provider of supportive housing since 1931, the Y operates two Single-Room Only housing facilities in Chicago's Lake View and Irving Park neighborhoods. The facilities serve 437 people who identify as male with housing and case management to support the transition to stable permanent housing and employment.
- $11.5 million spent. Community Development: The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is a impact-driven nonprofit organization that responds to the changing needs and challenges of the individuals and families we serve, which includes opportunity gaps in education, exposure to violence, parent and family engagement, food insecurities, and chronic health problems. We remain a lifeline for communities by providing free, fresh produce through monthly food distribution events for families living in food deserts; teaching nutrition, healthy cooking and sustainability classes for individuals and families; pioneering innovative youth safety and violence prevention programming; offering free access to digital resources through our community hubs and bilingual helpdesk support line; providing high quality early education and care; and serving as a vital community asset across the Chicagoland area and throughout the Midwest.
- $1.7 million spent. Residences: A provider of supportive housing since 1931, the Y operates two Single-Room Only housing facilities in Chicago's Lake View and Irving Park neighborhoods. The facilities serve 437 people who identify as male with housing and case management to support the transition to stable permanent housing and employment.
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
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 2024.
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 July 1941.
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.
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.