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Northern Lights YMCA Inc

EIN 38-2615035 · Escanaba, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO HELP PEOPLE DEVELOP CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AND TO AID IN BUILDING A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY WHERE ALL PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG, ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP TO THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL IN SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY BY PARTICIPATING IN YMCA PROGRAMS AND CLASSES THAT ARE DESIGNED FOR IMPROVEMENT OF PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL, MORAL, AND EDUCATIONAL CONDITIONS. THE YMCA WELCOMES EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, SEX, FAITH, ETHNICITY, ABILITY, OR RELIGION. YMCA MEMBERSHIP ACTIVITIES CREATE SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES OF MEMBERS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN A VARIETY OF ENRICHING ACTIVITIES, RECREATIONAL AND SUPPORTIVE SOCIAL NETWORKS, AND A SENSE OF BELONGING. YMCAS ARE FOUNDED BY VOLUNTEERS, LED BY VOLUNTEERS, AND ENCOURAGE VOLUNTEERISM IN THEIR PROGRAMS. DUES ARE BASED ON COMMUNITY AFFORDABILITY, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE FULL COST OF MEMBERSHIP.

Income
$5.5 million
Spending
$4.9 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 71%
Employees
318

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $3.7 million spent. MEMBERSHIP FEES SUPPORT MULTIPLE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING AQUATICS, DAY CAMPS, CHILDCARE, FITNESS, AND YOUTH SPORTS. THE YMCA HAD APPROXIMATELY 2,800 MEMBERS IN THE CURRENT YEAR. APPROXIMATELY 3,600 ADULTS AND YOUTH, INCLUDING MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS, PARTICIPATED IN COUNTY YMCA PROGRAMS. EVERYONE IS WELCOME REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, SEX, FAITH, ETHNICITY, ABILITY, RELIGION, OR ABILITY TO PAY.
  2. $131,002 spent. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 940 PARTICIPANTS IN THE CHILD CARE PROGRAMS OF THE YMCA.
  3. $45,003 spent. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 1,020 PARTICIPANTS IN THE AQUATICS PROGRAMS OF THE YMCA
  4. $345,801 spent. TO HELP PEOPLE DEVELOP CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AND TO AID IN BUILDING A CHRISTIAN SOCIETY THROUGH THE IMPROVEMENT OF PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL, MORAL, AND EDUCATIONAL CONDITIONS OF THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN YMCA PROGRAMS AND CLASSES, AND THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL SERVED BY THIS ORGANIZATION.
  5. TO HELP PEOPLE DEVELOP CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AND TO AID IN BUILDING A CHRISTIAN SOCIETY THROUGH THE IMPROVEMENT OF PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL, MORAL, AND EDUCATIONAL CONDITIONS OF THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN YMCA PROGRAMS AND CLASSES, AND THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL SERVED BY THIS ORGANIZATION.

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

  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 February 1986.

    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.