YMCA of the Northern Sky
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We are dedicated to enhancing the spirit, mind, and body of all persons through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
- Income
- $29.8 million
- Spending
- $28.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 79%
- Employees
- 1,338
- Volunteers
- 393
- Highest pay
- $266,791, president and 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
Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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)
- $5.5 million spent. SPACES THAT BRING PEOPLE TOGEHTER:In Fargo, ND and Fergus Falls, MN, the YMCA's three branches welcomed individuals for more than 627,000 visits in 2025, serving as trusted community hubs where people come to improve their health, build connection, and experience a strong sense of belonging.Across the year, the YMCA provided membership assistance to an average of 1,560 individuals and 188 families each month, ensuring that financial barriers never prevent access to the spirit, mind, and body benefits of belonging to the YMCA.Through every visit, the YMCA remains a place where all are welcomesupporting wellness, fostering relationships, and strengthening community for all who walk through our doors.
- $16.0 million spent. PREPARING CHILDREN FOR SUCCESSIn 2025, 89% of children in YMCA early learning programs met or exceeded kindergarten readiness benchmarks, demonstrating strong preparation for academic success and lifelong learning. These outcomes reflect more than academic achievementthey represent children building confidence, social-emotional skills, independence, friendships, and a strong sense of belonging in their earliest years.YMCA early learning and school-age programs focus on whole-child development in safe, nurturing environments where children are supported socially, emotionally, and academically. Every day, children are encouraged to explore, learn, and grow foundational skills that help them thrive in school and beyond.For school-age youth, the YMCA operates 21 before and after school child care sites located within area schools, providing families with convenient, reliable care in environments children already know and trust. These programs ensure students have a safe place to learn, connect, and grow before and after the school day while supporting continued academic engagement and enrichment.To ensure access for all families, the YMCA provided more than $556,000 in scholarships and financial assistance in 2025, supporting children from newborn through 5th grade in child care programs. This investment removes financial barriers and ensures high-quality care is available to families regardless of income.By providing affordable, high-quality early learning and school-age care, the YMCA gives parents the stability they need to work and support their families, strengthens the local workforce, and contributes to a stronger communitywhile ensuring children are safe, supported, and prepared for success in school and life.
- $4.1 million spent. NOURISHING OUR COMMUNITYIn 2025, the YMCA provided 632,750 meals and snacks through our programs and directly to children and families across our community. Through summer meal programs, super snacks, Blizzard Boxes, and mobile meal distribution, the YMCA continues to ensure youth have reliable access to nutritious food when and where they need it most.The YMCA's Mobile Meals and Hunger Heroes programs remove barriers to food access by delivering meals directly to neighborhoods, schools, parks, and community gathering spaces creating safe, accessible, and stigma-free opportunities for children to receive healthy meals.In 2025, the YMCA expanded its Rural Food Program, now known as Hunger Heroes, into 13 rural communities, including Oakes and Valley City, North Dakota, and Battle Lake and Breckenridge, Minnesota, helping reach even more children and families experiencing food insecurity. This program delivered 97,000 meals to children under the age of 18 in 9 weeks during the summer when school isn't in session. A time when children are often the most hungry. Together with schools, community partners, volunteers, and local organizations, the YMCA is responding to the growing need for food assistance across urban and rural communities alike.When a child has access to reliable food, everything changes. Together, we fuel their future.YOUTH PROGRAMS & CAMP: GROWING WITH PURPOSEIn 2025, 3,894 youth built confidence, skills, and lasting friendships through YMCA sports programs and summer day camps. At YMCA Camp Cormorant, 903 overnight campers experienced personal growth, independence, and connection in the outdoors, while 250 children attended camp with scholarship support, ensuring access for families regardless of financial circumstances.From the court to the campsite, YMCA programs create safe, welcoming spaces where young people discover their strengths, develop meaningful relationships, and gain a true sense of belonging.SWIM SAFETY: BUILDING CONFIDENCE, COURAGE & LIFESAVING SKILLSIn 2025, 3,253 youth participated in YMCA swim safety and swim lesson programs, gaining essential water safety skills that help prevent drowningone of the leading causes of accidental death for children. Swim instruction at the YMCA is a proven, life-saving intervention that equips children with the ability to stay safe in and around water.Beyond skill development, swim lessons build confidence, courage, perseverance, and self-trust. For many children, entering the water for the first time means facing fear and trying something unfamiliar. With supportive instruction, they learn to float, breathe, and swim independentlyexperiences that build resilience and a strong sense of accomplishment that extends well beyond the pool.The YMCA also provides swim instruction for adults who are learning to swim later in life. These classes offer a welcoming, judgment-free environment where participants overcome fear of water, develop critical safety skills, and gain lifelong confidence.In addition, YMCA swim programs serve New Americans of all ages through culturally responsive instruction that supports individuals and families who may be experiencing pools and open water environments for the first time. These programs prioritize safety, comfort, and inclusion while building essential water survival skills.Across all ages, YMCA swim programs create safe, supportive spaces where individuals build independence, confidence, and lifelong respect for water. By meeting people where they are and removing barriers to access, the YMCA ensures more children, adults, and families can safely enjoy water activities while gaining skills that can save lives.Through every lesson, the YMCA strengthens not only swim ability, but courage, confidence, and connection.
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 April 1943.
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.