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YMCA of Ottawa Illinois

EIN 36-2337893 · Ottawa, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND & BODY FOR ALL

Income
$3.8 million
Spending
$3.8 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
-74.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 61%
Employees
184
Volunteers
95
Highest pay
$205,865, executive director

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: 29 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 88% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    0 of 0 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 (2)
  1. $2.9 million spent. THE YMCA PROVIDES RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR CITIZENS A) PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAMS APPROXIMATELY 150 YOUNGSTERS AGED 6 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS PARTICIPATE IN A WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMS SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED IN AQUATICS, TUMBLING, AND PRE-SCHOOL TRAINING YOUNGSTERS LEARN SOCIAL SKILLS, DEVELOP SELF ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE, AND LEARN RESPECT FOR GROUP LEADERS MANY PROGRAMS CONSIST OF PARENT-CHILD INVOLVEMENT WHICH STRENGTHENS FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS B) SCHOOL AGE YOUTH PROGRAMS IN EXCESS OF 500 YOUNGSTERS ARE INVOLVED IN ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES OUTDOOR SOCCER, INDOOR SOCCER, BASKETBALL, FLAG FOOTBALL, COMPETITIVE SWIMMING, TAE KWON DO, RACQUETBALL GYMNASTICS, SWIM INSTRUCTION, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, AND THE PORPOISE CLUB NEW SKILLS, GOOD HEALTH HABITS, POSITIVE ROLE MODELS, INCREASED SELF STEEM/CONFIDENCE, FRIENDSHIP DEVELOPMENT, INTERACTION OF ADULTS & CHILDREN AND PARENT-CHILD INVOLVEMENT CHARACTERIZE THESE PROGRAMS WHEN ADDED TO RECREATIONAL SWIMMING AND BASKETBALL PLUS WEIGHT LIFTING, CHILDREN ARE PROVIDED WITH EXTENSIVE AND CONSTRUCTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AS ALTERNATIVES TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND DELINQUENCY C) ADULT PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO MEET THE PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS OF PARTICIPANTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEALTH ENHANCEMENT ARE FOUND IN FITNESS CLASSES, THE SUPER CIRCUIT, WEIGHTLIFTING, CARDIOVASCULAR ROOM, LAP LANE SWIMMING, AND AQUA FITNESS RECREATIONAL SWIMMING, VOLLEYBALL, RACQUETBALL, AND BASKETBALL ALL ADD TO OVERALL FITNESS AND ALSO TO THOSE IN THEIR 70'S AND 80'S SNIP & STITCH, BREAKFAST CLUB AND SENIORS FITNESS REACH OUT TO OUR SENIORS POPULATION FIVE HUNDRED OR MORE INDIVIDUALS ARE ACTIVE IN THE ABOVE PROGRAMS D) LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ALTHOUGH NO FORMAL PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED, LEADERSHIP SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED THROUGH A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES POSITIVE ROLE MODELS ARE PROVIDED IN YOUTH CLASSES AND LEAGUES TEAM LEADERSHIP DEVELOPS IN YOUTH SPORTS VOLUNTEERS EXPAND THEIR LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES AS SPORTS COACHES, IN COMMITTEE WORK, BOARD DEVELOPMENT, AND FUND RAISING MANY YMCA VOLUNTEERS GO ON TO SERVE LEADERSHIP ROLES IN OTHER CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY E) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM NO ONE TURNED AWAY FOR THE INABILITY TO PAY " BASED ON ITS CHRISTIAN EMPHASIS AND DEDICATION TO SERVING ALL SEGMENTS OF ITS COMMUNITY, THE YMCA PROVIDES REDUCED OR ELIMINATED FEE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIALLY DISADVANTAGED OVER 500 CHILDREN AND ADULTS BENEFIT THROUGH THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM BASED ON NEED, FEES ARE ADJUSTED FOR MEMBERSHIPS AND PROGRAM ACTIVITIES UNITED WAY SUPPORT AND OUR PARTNERS IN YOUTH DRIVE PROVIDE FUNDS TO SUBSIDIZE SCHOLARSHIP COSTS.
  2. N/A

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 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 September 1956.

    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.