Young Mens Christian Association of the Virginia Peninsulas
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL. OUR FOCUS IS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. WE HELP KIDS SUCCEED, PREPARE TEENS FOR LIFE, PREVENT DROWNING, AND HELP PEOPLE GROW HEALTHIER IN SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. WE HELP MEMBERS AND PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS GROW PERSONALLY: BUILD SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF-RELIANCE; DEVELOP VALUES FOR DAILY LIVING: DEVELOP MORAL AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR BASED ON CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES; IMPROVE PERSONAL AND FAMILY RELATIONS: LEARN TO CARE, COMMUNICATE AND COOPERATE WITH OTHERS CLOSE TO THEM; APPRECIATE DIVERSITY: RESPECT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT AGES, ABILITIES, INCOMES, RACES, RELIGIONS, CULTURES, AND BELIEFS; BECOME LEADERS AND SUPPORTERS: LEARN THE GIVE AND TAKE NECESSARY TO WORK TOWARD THE COMMON GOOD; DEVELOP SPECIFIC SKILLS: ACQUIRE NEW KNOWLEDGE AND WAYS TO GROW IN SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY; AND HAVE FUN: ENJOY LIFE.
- Income
- $28.9 million
- Spending
- $27.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 2.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 76%
- Employees
- 1,419
- Volunteers
- 804
- Highest pay
- $323,366, president and chief execut
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
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2532 of 32 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
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)
- $15.5 million spent. HEALTHY LIVING: THE YMCA OF THE VIRGINIA PENINSULAS APPROACHES HEALTH AS A UNIFIED BALANCE OF SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY, A HOLISTIC VISION THAT GUIDES EVERY PROGRAM WE DELIVER. AS RISING OBESITY RATES AND CHRONIC DISEASE CONTINUE TO THREATEN COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, THE Y PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE, EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS THAT HELP INDIVIDUALS BUILD HEALTHIER, MORE RESILIENT LIVES. IN 2025, WE CREATED 338,505 OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES TO ENGAGE IN HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND FITNESS ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO PREVENT DISEASE, STRENGTHEN FAMILIES, AND PROMOTE LIFELONG WELL-BEING. PARTICIPANTS BENEFITED FROM GOAL-BASED HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS, NUTRITION EDUCATION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SOCIAL CONNECTION, AND VALUES-DRIVEN SUPPORT THAT ENCOURAGES TEAMWORK, SELF-ESTEEM, AND PERSONAL GROWTH. OUR AQUATICS PROGRAMS CONTINUED TO BE ONE OF OUR MOST POWERFUL TOOLS FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY, REACHING 54,561 PEOPLE ACROSS THE REGION. INFANTS THROUGH SENIORS PARTICIPATED IN SWIM LESSONS, ARTHRITIS AQUATICS, AQUATIC EXERCISE, LIFEGUARD TRAINING, AND SAFETY PROGRAMS THAT BUILD CONFIDENCE AND REDUCE DROWNING RISKESPECIALLY CRITICAL IN A REGION DEFINED BY WATER. THESE PROGRAMS EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH BOTH LIFE-SAVING SKILLS AND LIFELONG HABITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. HEALTHY HABITS BEGIN EARLY, AND THE Y EQUIPS CHILDREN WITH THE KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE POSITIVE CHOICES THAT WILL STAY WITH THEM FOR LIFE. THROUGH OUR HEPA CURRICULUM, TAUGHT IN ALL YMCA PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGE CHILDCARE PROGRAMS, CHILDREN LEARN THE FOUR ESSENTIAL PILLARS OF HEALTHY LIVING: EATING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, REDUCING SCREEN TIME, STAYING ACTIVE, AND ELIMINATING SUGARY DRINKS. THESE EARLY INTERVENTIONS ADDRESS THE ALARMING TREND THAT 13.2% OF VIRGINIA'S CHILDREN ARE OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE, HELPING PREVENT CHRONIC DISEASE BEFORE IT BEGINS. EVENTS LIKE HEALTHY KIDS DAY INSPIRE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO EMBRACE ACTIVE LIFESTYLES IN FUN, ENGAGING WAYS. FROM GAMES AND CHALLENGES TO HEALTHY SNACKS AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, HEALTHY KIDS DAY DEMONSTRATES THAT MOVEMENT CAN BE EXCITINGAND THAT A HEALTHIER FUTURE IS WITHIN EVERY CHILD'S REACH. TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMS REFLECT THE Y'S UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES. BY CREATING WELCOMING SPACES AND HIGH-IMPACT PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES, THE YMCA OF THE VIRGINIA PENINSULAS CONTINUES TO BE A TRUSTED PARTNER IN BUILDING STRONGER, HEALTHIER LIVESONE INDIVIDUAL, ONE FAMILY, AND ONE NEIGHBORHOOD AT A TIME.
- $7.2 million spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD ARE AT THE CORE OF THE YMCA'S MISSIONAND IN 2025, OUR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS SERVED AS A LIFELINE FOR THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN, TEENS, AND WORKING FAMILIES ACROSS OUR REGION. OUR PROGRAMS ARE INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO BUILD CONFIDENCE, CHARACTER, AND LEADERSHIP WHILE CREATING SAFE, SUPPORTIVE SPACES WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN THRIVE. FAMILIES RELY ON THE Y AS A TRUSTED PARTNER IN EARLY LEARNING AND AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT. IN 2025, THERE WERE 32,751 AFTER-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS SIXTEEN CHILDCARE SITES AND 7,615 PRESCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES AT FIVE PRESCHOOL LOCATIONS, ENSURING CHILDREN RECEIVED HIGH-QUALITY CARE, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, POSITIVE ROLE MODELS, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT WHILE THEIR PARENTS REMAINED GAINFULLY EMPLOYED. YEAR-ROUND FAMILY PROGRAMS, INCLUDING FAMILY SWIM NIGHTS, SPORTS, PARENTING CLASSES, AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES, STRENGTHENED BONDS AND SUPPORTED PARENTS AS ACTIVE PARTNERS IN THEIR CHILDREN'S GROWTH. THESE EXPERIENCES HELPED FAMILIES BUILD COMMUNICATION SKILLS, DEEPEN THEIR CONNECTION, AND DEVELOP SHARED VALUES. OUR DAY AND TEEN CAMPS CONTINUED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL EXPERIENCES OFFERED BY THE Y. IN 2025, THERE WERE 11,646 OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN CAMP PROGRAMS THAT FOSTERED INDEPENDENCE, RESPONSIBILITY, SPIRITUAL AWARENESS, PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, AND RESPECT FOR THE NATURAL WORLD. CAMPS PROVIDED SAFE, MEANINGFUL ALTERNATIVES FOR WORKING PARENTS AND HELPED YOUTH DEVELOP RESILIENCE, LEADERSHIP, AND TEAMWORK IN ENVIRONMENTS BUILT FOR GROWTH. TEEN PROGRAMMING REMAINED ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING AREAS OF THE YMCA, REFLECTING THE CRITICAL NEED FOR STRUCTURED, ENGAGING OPPORTUNITIES DURING OUT-OF-SCHOOL HOURS. TEENS PARTICIPATED IN LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, AND DEVELOPMENT EVENTS THAT HELPED GUIDE THEIR CHOICES, STRENGTHEN THEIR IDENTITIES, AND BUILD HABITS THAT SUPPORT ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL SUCCESS. IN SPORTS AND RECREATION, 3,676 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAMS THAT EMPHASIZED TEAMWORK, RESPECT, SPORTSMANSHIP, AND FAIR PLAY. EVERY CHILD PLAYS IN EVERY GAME, A VALUES-DRIVEN APPROACH THAT BUILDS CONFIDENCE, SELF-WORTH, AND LIFELONG APPRECIATION FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. BY FOCUSING ON CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT OVER COMPETITION, THE YMCA ENSURES THAT EVERY CHILD EXPERIENCES SUCCESS AND A SENSE OF BELONGING. TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMS FORM A CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT THAT GROWS WITH EACH CHILD, FROM EARLY LEARNING THROUGH ADOLESCENCEEMPOWERING YOUTH TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE, WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE, AND HOW THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORLD AROUND THEM.
- $729,142 spent. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: THE YMCA OF THE VIRGINIA PENINSULAS IS MORE THAN A PLACE; IT IS A POWERFUL CATALYST FOR STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. IN 2025, OUR COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CREATED MEANINGFUL PATHWAYS FOR EQUITY, ACCESS, AND OPPORTUNITY ACROSS OUR ENTIRE SERVICE AREA. THROUGH DEEP COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT, AND MISSION-DRIVEN INITIATIVES, WE ENSURED THAT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES RECEIVED THE SUPPORT THEY NEEDED TO THRIVE. OUR APPROACH IS INTENTIONALLY COLLABORATIVE. WE WORK ALONGSIDE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, SCHOOL SYSTEMS, SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, HEALTH AGENCIES, CIVIC GROUPS, AND BUSINESS PARTNERS TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS WITH COMPASSION AND PURPOSE. WITH 49,327 MEMBERS, INCLUDING 18,484 YOUTH, AND 11.96% RECEIVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE VALUED AT $1,735,525, THE Y REMAINS COMMITTED TO BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS AND ENSURING THAT ALL PEOPLEREGARDLESS OF INCOME, BACKGROUND, OR LIFE CIRCUMSTANCEHAVE ACCESS TO LIFE-CHANGING PROGRAMS. ACHIEVERS PROGRAMTHE ACHIEVERS PROGRAM EMPOWERS TEENS TO PURSUE ACADEMIC SUCCESS, DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AND BUILD A PATHWAY TO HIGHER EDUCATION OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING. GROUNDED IN FIVE PILLARSACADEMICS, COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE, POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS, LIFE SKILLS, AND POSITIVE IDENTITYTHE PROGRAM OFFERS MENTORING, SAT/ACT PREPARATION, LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOPS, FINANCIAL LITERACY, TECHNOLOGY CLASSES, AND COLLEGE/CAREER READINESS ACTIVITIES. TEENS ARE PAIRED WITH SUPPORTIVE ADULT ROLE MODELS WHO HELP THEM BUILD CONFIDENCE AND ENVISION BRIGHT FUTURES. BRIGHT BEGINNINGSBRIGHT BEGINNINGS ENSURES CHILDREN START THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH DIGNITY, CONFIDENCE, AND THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED. IN JULY 2025, 726 FAMILIES PARTICIPATED IN THIS LIFE-ENHANCING PROGRAM, WHERE YMCA VOLUNTEERS AND PARTNERS HELPED CHILDREN SHOP FOR NEW CLOTHES AND PROVIDED BACKPACKS FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES. COMMUNITY PARTNERS, INCLUDING LOCAL UNIVERSITIES, BANKS, HIGH SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND YMCA MEMBERS, COME TOGETHER TO SERVE CHILDREN WHO MAY OTHERWISE GO WITHOUT. THE AVERAGE INVESTMENT OF $200 PER CHILD ENSURES EACH STUDENT BEGINS SCHOOL READY TO LEARN. FIRST TEE - VIRGINIA PENINSULAAS A PROGRAM CENTER OF OUR Y, FIRST TEE USES THE GAME OF GOLF TO BUILD CHARACTER, RESILIENCE, AND CONFIDENCE IN YOUNG PEOPLE. IN 2025, THE PROGRAM DELIVERED 475 OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO STRENGTHEN LIFE SKILLS AND VALUES, INCLUDING INTEGRITY, SPORTSMANSHIP, RESPONSIBILITY, AND PERSEVERANCE. PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REINFORCE THESE CONCEPTS AT HOME, CREATING A CIRCLE OF SUPPORT THAT HELPS CHILDREN GROW INTO THOUGHTFUL, CAPABLE LEADERS. SAFETY AROUND WATER & COMMUNITY SAFETY INITIATIVESWITH A SERVICE AREA THAT INCLUDES 989 SQUARE MILES OF WATER, ADDRESSING DROWNING RISKS IS MISSION-CRITICALESPECIALLY AS DROWNING REMAINS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH AMONG CHILDREN IN VIRGINIA. TO COMBAT THIS, OUR ENDOWMENT FUND PLEDGED TO PROVIDE NO-COST AQUATIC SAFETY CLASSES FOR ALL SECOND GRADERS IN OUR SERVICE AREA. IN 2025, 2,560 SECOND-GRADE STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THESE LIFESAVING LESSONS, GAINING SKILLS THAT PROTECT THEM TODAY AND EMPOWER THEM FOR LIFE. LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCACANCER SURVIVORS FACE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES LONG AFTER TREATMENT ENDS. LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA OFFERS A NO-COST, SUPPORTIVE EXERCISE PROGRAM THAT HELPS PARTICIPANTS REBUILD STRENGTH, RESTORE CONFIDENCE, AND EXPERIENCE HEALING ALONGSIDE OTHERS WHO UNDERSTAND THEIR JOURNEY. SINCE 2014, MORE THAN 160 SURVIVORS HAVE PARTICIPATED, MANY CALLING THE PROGRAM A TURNING POINT IN THEIR RECOVERY. AS ONE PARTICIPANT SHARED, "I WENT TO THE CANCER CENTER FOR TREATMENT. I CAME TO THE Y TO HEAL." NICOLE WHITE SCHOLARSHIPTO HONOR THE LEGACY OF NICOLE WHITE, A DEDICATED YMCA LIFEGUARD AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER, THE Y AWARDS ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO SMITHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COMMITTED TO SERVICE. THIS INVESTMENT IN YOUNG LEADERS ENSURES THAT NICOLE'S PASSION FOR HELPING OTHERS CONTINUES TO INSPIRE NEW GENERATIONS. TOGETHER, THESE INITIATIVES REFLECT THE Y'S UNWAVERING BELIEF THAT STRONG COMMUNITIES ARE BUILT WHEN PEOPLE ARE SUPPORTED, ENCOURAGED, AND EMPOWERED. THROUGH MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS, COMPASSIONATE SERVICE, AND INTENTIONAL OUTREACH, THE YMCA OF THE VIRGINIA PENINSULAS CONTINUES TO LEAD WITH IMPACTSTRENGTHENING INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND NEIGHBORHOODS ONE COURAGEOUS ACT OF SERVICE AT A TIME.
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 June 1957.
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.
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.