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Young Mens Christian Association

EIN 53-0207403 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON (YMCA) RESPONDS TO CRITICAL YOUTH, TEEN AND FAMILY ISSUES WITH THERAPEUTIC, COUNSELING AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING TRUANCY PREVENTION, TEEN PREGNANCY COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE, DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION, TUTORIAL SERVICES, ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE, DROP-IN PROGRAMS, AND FAMILY ADVENTURE PROGRAMS. THE YMCA WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH GOVERNMENTAL AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS THAT HELP ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIVING, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

Income
$49.2 million
Spending
$53.0 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
1,744
Volunteers
1,194
Highest pay
$579,267, then president & ceo

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 43% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 16 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, 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. $18.6 million spent. HEALTHY LIVING: COMMITTED TO THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF OUR CHILDREN, THE YMCA'S PHD (PHYSICAL, HEALTHY AND DRIVEN) PROGRAM, MADE A REBOUND TO PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND PLAY IN OUR CHILDCARE, AFTERSCHOOL AND CAMP PROGRAMS. YMCA STAFF PROVIDED PHYSICAL EXERCISE, NUTRITION LESSONS AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES THAT WERE FUN IN NATURE AND IN SOME CASES, CONVERTED SOME PHD LESSONS INTO VIRTUAL CLASSES THAT FAMILIES COULD USE TO CONTINUE TO STAY ACTIVE AND HELP COMBAT CHILDHOOD OBESITY. CHILDREN, ADULTS, AND SENIORS PURSUED A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE IN OUR SIX LOCAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING CENTERS WITH Y MEMBERSHIP. CHILDREN, TEENS, ADULTS, AND SENIORS PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAMS AND CLASSES AT THE Y THAT HELPED THEM BUILD STRONG SPIRITS, MINDS, AND BODIES.
  2. $17.1 million spent. DEVELOPMENTAL CARE: THE YMCA PROVIDED CHILD CARE FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS, PRE-SCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN FROM 6 WEEKS TO 14 YEARS OLD. CHILD CARE IS PROVIDED FOR THE ENTIRE DAY OR BEFORE-AND-AFTER SCHOOL. WOVEN INTO THE YMCA MISSION IS A COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES. YMCA CHILDCARE 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 THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE THRIVING IN A SAFE, DEVELOPMENTALLY SOUND ENVIRONMENT. OUR CHILD CARE LOCATIONS MEET AND OFTEN EXCEED THE REQUIRED LICENSED STANDARDS. THE YMCA IS THE LARGEST NONPROFIT PROVIDER OF CHILDCARE IN THE WASHINGTON AREA. MEMBERS OF THE YMCA'S STAFF ARE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS, IMPLEMENTING A CURRICULUM THAT ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM, SELF-CONFIDENCE, MOTOR SKILLS AND A POSITIVE SOCIAL ATTITUDE ENGAGING IN AGE-APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES.THINGAMAJIG:NOT EVEN A PANDEMIC COULD STOP THE YMCA'S ANNUAL STEM THINGAMAJIG INVENTION CONVENTION FROM BEING HELD. RATHER THAN BE CANCELLED, THINGAMAJIG RE-INVENTED ITS PRESENCE TO A MAINLY VIRTUAL EVENT, ALLOWING YOUNG PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO DREAM, INVENT, AND PRESENT THEIR INVENTIVE DESIGNS THROUGH THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED ONLINE PLATFORM. IN ADDITION, THE 11,250 CHILDREN ATTENDING THE YMCA'S SUMMER PROGRAMS (SUMMER DAY CAMP/POWER SCHOLARS ACADEMY/COMMUNITY PARENT) CONTINUED TO EXPLORE AND EXPERIMENT WITH RECYCLABLES IN DESIGNING NEW AND IMPROVED WAYS OF THINKING ABOUT OUR FUTURE. IN ADDITION TO THE THINGAMAJIG YOUTH, THE YMCA PROMOTES STEM THROUGH CONNECTING YOUNG PEOPLE IN REGULAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EXPERIENCES, I.E.; GARDENING AT THE Y, ROBOTICS FOR THE YOUNGER CURIOUS LEARNERS, SCIENCE OF THE SOUND SUPPER EXPERIENCES, MATH AND SCIENCE FAMILY NIGHTS, SCIGIRLS CLUBS, TECHBRIDGE, STEM GENTS FOR TEENS CLUB, RUFF RUFFMAN WORKSHOP WITH WETA SUMMER SCIENCE ENRICHMENT, HERO EDUCATION, CRAZY 8S MATH CLUB AND GIRLS WHO CODE CLUB ARE JUST A FEW OF THE PROGRAMS PROMOTING THE STEM.
  3. $5.9 million spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES: YFS:ADULTS AND CHILDREN WERE SERVED BY THE YMCA'S SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH, YMCA YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES (YFS). YFS SERVICES INCLUDE COUNSELING, MENTORING, AND EARLY INTERVENTION FOR SOME OF OUR REGIONS NEEDIEST FAMILIES. ALL SERVICES ARE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE. GROUP EXERCISE:GROUP EXERCISE EXPERIENCES WERE PROVIDED IN IN-PERSON CLASSES, WHICH SUPPORTED HEALTHY LIVING, BUILDING STRONG INTERNAL COMMUNITIES, AND CREATING LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS. HEALTHY KIDS DAY:YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES PARTICIPATED IN OUR 2024 HEALTHY KIDS DAY, AND WAS SUPPORTED BY MANY STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. WE ADDED A COMMUNITY SERVICE COMPONENT TO ALLOW US TO DEEPEN CONNECTIONS, PROVIDE VALUE ADDED SERVICES, AND SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORS. COMMUNITY HEALTH:THE Y'S COMMUNITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT USES PUBLIC HEALTH THEORIES AND BEST PRACTICES TO DELIVER SERVICES IN THREE CORE AREAS: HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMS, CLINICAL INTEGRATION, AND POLICIES, SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENT (PSE). OUR HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMS ARE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS THAT AIM TO DECREASE INDIVIDUALS' RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASES. WE THEN WORK WITH LOCAL PROVIDERS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES TO REFER AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS INTO THESE PROGRAMS. LASTLY, OUR PSE WORK AIMS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTS AND SYSTEMS IN WHICH OUR PARTICIPANTS LIVE, WORK AND PLAY SO THAT THEY CAN MAINTAIN ANY HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS AFTER OUR PROGRAMS.
  4. $3.1 million spent. RESIDENT CAMPS
  5. $2.2 million spent. DAY CAMPS

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 2024.

    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 March 1934.

    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.