Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA of Sterling Illinois
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL. THE STERLING ROCK FALLS YMCA IS A NONPROFIT LIKE NO OTHER. THAT'S BECAUSE IN WE HAVE THE PRESENCE AND PARTNERSHIPS TO NOT JUST PROMISE, BUT DELIVER, POSITIVE CHANGE. THE STERLING ROCK FALLS YMCA IS COMMUNITY-CENTERED. FOR 125 YEARS, WE'VE BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO THE STERLING-ROCK FALLS COMMUNITY. THE STERLING ROCK FALLS YMCA BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER. WE CONNECT PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS TO BRIDGE THE GAPS IN COMMUNITY NEEDS. THE STERLING ROCK FALLS YMCA NURTURES POTENTIAL. WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE. THE STERLING ROCK FALLS YMCA HAS LOCAL PRESENCE AND GLOBAL REACH. WE MOBILIZE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO EFFECT LASTING, MEANINGFUL CHANGE.
- Income
- $2.4 million
- Spending
- $2.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- -2.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 65%
- Employees
- 139
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $183,490, 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
Weak: 36 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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.
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 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, 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 (3)
- $962,605 spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT & ACHIEVEMENT:THE STERLING-ROCK FALLS FAMILY YMCA PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN, DRAWING ON DIVERSE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE PROVIDE BOTH FULL AND PART-TIME OPTIONS IN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM, NO SCHOOL DAY CAMP, REMOTE LEARNING DAY CAMP AND SUMMER DAY CAMP. IN 2025 THE YMCA WAS ABLE TO SERVE 729 CHILDREN IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF THE YMCA MISSION IS A COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING FAMILIES. YMCA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS RELIEVE THE BURDEN OF BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY AND MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN OUR CARE TO REMAIN GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, KNOWING THEIR CHILDREN ARE THRIVING IN A SAFE, DEVELOPMENTALLY SOUND ENVIRONMENT.THE YMCA PROVIDES TUITION ASSISTANCE INCLUDING REDUCED FEES FOR FAMILIES WHO QUALIFY FOR THE "FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH PROGRAM" AT LOCAL SCHOOLS. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR YMCA MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAMS IS PROVIDED TO QUALIFIED FAMILIES AND PROVIDES REDUCED PRICES FOR ALL YMCA PROGRAMS ALONG WITH PROVIDING ACCESS FOR THE CHILD AND THEIR FAMILY TO THE YMCA FACILITY. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE AID TO FAMILIES WHO NEED HELP DUE TO FAMILY VIOLENCE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, ETC., BY COLLABORATING WITH OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. WE ALSO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT EMPHASIZE PARENT EDUCATION AND HELP PARENTS LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO RAISE HEALTHY, HAPPY CHILDREN WHO DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM AND MORAL AND ETHICAL VALUES.
- $639,773 spent. HEALTH AND WELL BEING FOR ALLMEMBERSHIP:MEMBERS ARE OFFERED THE USE OF THE ASSOCIATION FACILITIES, WHICH ARE FOR PROMOTION OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS. INCLUDED IN THESE FACILITIES ARE A SWIMMING POOL, GYM, WELLNESS CENTER AND AEROBICS ROOM. MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES THE USE OF THE ENTIRE FACILITY, PARTICIPATION IN FITNESS CLASSES AND FREE BABY-SITTING WHILE USING THE FACILITY AND PROGRAMS.THE STERLING-ROCK FALLS FAMILY YMCA PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERSHIP AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. OVER 8,661 PEOPLE BENEFITED FROM MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAM SERVICES IN 2025. THE STERLING-ROCK FALLS FAMILY YMCA OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND YMCA MEMBERS.YMCA MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO FURTHER THE YMCA MISSION. OUR YMCA SEEKS TO HELP OUR MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS:1. DEVELOP SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SELF-RECPECT - AND APPRECIATION OF THEIR OWN WORTH AS INDIVIDUALS2. DEVELP VALUES FOR DAILY LIVING; DEVELOP MORAL AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR BASED ON JUDEO-CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES3. GROW AS RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES AND AS CITIZENS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.4. APPRECIATE THAT HEALTH OF MIND AND BODY IS A SACRED GIFT, AND THAT PHYSICAL FITNESS AND MENTAL WELL-BEING ARE CONDITIONS TO BE ACHIEVED AND MAINTAINED.5. RECOGNIZE THE WORTH OF ALL PERSONS, AND WORK WITH INTERRACIAL AND INTER-GROUP UNDERSTANDING.6. DEVELOP A SENSE OF WORLD-MINDEDNESS AND WORK FOR WORLD-WIDE UNDERSTANDING.7. DEVELOP THEIR CAPACITIES FOR LEADERSHIP AND USE THEM RESPONSIBLY IN THEIR OWN GROUPS AND COMMUNITY LIFE.8. BECOME LEADERS AND SUPPORTERS; LEARN THE GIVE AND TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO WORK TOWARD COMMON GOOD.9. DEVELOP SPECIFIC LIFE SKILLS; ACQUIRE NEW KNOWLEDGE AND WAYS TO GROW IN SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY FOR ALL.
- $494,833 spent. CAMP BENSON:THE YMCA CAMP BENSON PROGRAM PROVIDES A LASTING EXPERIENCE OF PERSONAL ENRICHMENT. THROUGH SUMMER RESIDENCE AND WEEKEND RETREATS, THE CAMP OFFERS ADVENTURE AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES THAT PROVIDE CHALLENGES AND PROMOTE SPIRITUAL AWARENESS, MENTAL DEVELOPMENT, PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, SOCIAL GROWTH AND SELF RESPECT. CAMPING HELPS YOUTH BECOME AWARE OF THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CAPABILITIES, TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF COOPERATION, GAIN CONFIDENCE AND BUILD SELF-ESTEEM.WHILE CAMP BENSON'S FACILITIES AND LOCATION ARE TERRIFIC, WE BELIEVE THAT IT'S OUR CAMP COUNSELORS THAT MAKE THE SUMMER EXPERIENCE TRULY SPECIAL. AT YCB YOU WILL FIND A TREMENDOUS CONCENTRATION OF "GREAT CAMPERS AND "GREAT ROLE-MODELS" THAT PROVIDE A WONDERFULLY INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR CHILD. WE HAVE SO MANY FIRST-TIME CAMP FAMILIES IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF THE EMPHASIS WE PLACE ON TRAINING CAMPERS TO BECOME STAFF THROUGH THE STUDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.IT IS THE MISSION OF YMCA CAMP BENSON TO PROVIDE SAFE, FUN, AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR OUR CAMPERS THROUGH THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE FOUR CORE VALUES; CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY AND BY PRACTICING A CAMPER FIRST PHILOSOPHY. SENDING A CHILD TO CAMP IS AN ACT OF GREAT FAITH BY PARENTS. AS DIRECTORS, WE TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY VERY SERIOUSLY. WE STRIVE TO MAINTAIN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT BOTH ENCOURAGES PERSONAL GROWTH AND CREATES AN UNFORGETTABLE SUMMER EXPERIENCE. THE CAMP BENSON COMMUNITY IS A CARING AND SUPPORTING ONE, AND AT THE CORE OF EVERYTHING THAT TAKES PLACE AT CAMP.THIS PROGRAM RUNS IN JUNE AND JULY OF EACH YEAR AND IN 2025 WE SERVED OVER 274 CAMPERS.
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 November 6, 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 November 1944.
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 November 4, 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.