Young Mens Christian Association of Fort Madison Iowa
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE YMCA OF FORT MADISON IS A CHARITABLE, COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION THAT INCLUDES MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES, INCOMES, RACES AND RELIGIONS. THE YMCA IS DEDICATED TO BUILDING STRONG KIDS, STRONG FAMILIES, AND STRONG COMMUNITIES BY PUTTING CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, STRONG VALUES, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY INTERACTION, AND INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING. ALL PERSONS ARE WELCOME AT THE YMCA, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY.
- Income
- $795,492
- Spending
- $891,468
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- -1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 80%
- Employees
- 86
- Volunteers
- 140
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: 24 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 175% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 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: 79 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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)
- $673,047 spent. THE FORT MADISON YMCA PROVIDES PROGRAMS IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH ENHANCEMENT FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN. OUR CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDE PRESCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, POSITIVE SOCIAL INTERACTION, AND VALUES EDUCATION. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE TRIPS TO NATURE CENTERS, THE LIBRARY, PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS. OUR HEALTH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDE, SENIOR AND ARTHRITIC WATER EXERCISE, VARIOUS AEROBIC CLASSES, STRENGTH TRAINING, LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAMS, AND YOUTH SPORTS. ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS EMPHASIZE HEALTH AND WELLNESS WHICH DETERS DIABETES AND OBESITY, HELPS IN DISEASE PREVENTION AND ASSISTS INDIVIDUAL EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY. THE YMCA HAS OVER 4,000 MEMBERS AND PROGRAM REGISTRANTS IN ITS PROGRAM. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS OFFERED TO ALL. THE YMCA HAS OVER 4000 MEMBERS AND PROGRAM REGISTRANTS IN ITS PROGRAM. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS OFFERED TO ALL.
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 April 1965.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Young Mens Christian Association (Oklahoma City, OK), EIN 73-0579270. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.