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Young Men Christian Association of Western North Carolina

EIN 56-0530013 · Asheville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

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. THE YMCA IS A PLACE FOR BEING AND BELONGING. WE EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, IMPROVE INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, AND GIVE BACK AND INSPIRE ACTION IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THE YMCA WELCOMES ALL. WE SERVE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, SIZES, COLORS, BELIEFS, ABILITIES, AND INCOMES.

Income
$32.6 million
Spending
$28.9 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 70%
Employees
1,240
Volunteers
131
Highest pay
$360,204, president &

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% 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

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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 September 30, 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)
  1. $23.7 million spent. IN AN EFFORT TO SERVE EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY, THE YMCA OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDIZED SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE BE UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN YMCA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE MOST IMPORTANT MEASURE OF THE YMCA IS THE IMPACT WE HAVE ON THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. THROUGH OUR SEVEN CENTERS, 24 CHILDCARE SITES, AND PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, THE YMCA HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT ON PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND FROM ALL OVER THE REGION. OUR CHARITABLE WORK SUPPORTS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. BELOW ARE PROGRAMS THAT MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THOSE AREAS. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - AFTERSCHOOL CHILDCARE OUR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES THAT OFFER A COMBINATION OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP ACTIVITIES BASED ON WEEKLY THEMES AND LESSON PLANS. THESE PROGRAMS ADHERE TO THE NATIONAL HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (HEPA) STANDARDS, INCREASE THE PHYSICAL WELL-BEING OF PARTICIPANTS AND PROMOTE HEALTH-PROMOTING BEHAVIORS. - SUMMER DAY CAMP WE PROVIDE SUMMER DAY CAMP AT LOCATIONS THROUGOUT WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. AT SUMMER DAY CAMP, CHILDREN AGES 5-15 HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS, LEARN NEW SKILLS, AND EXPLORE THE WORLD AROUND THEM. THE Y OFFERS A VARIETY OF CAMPS TO FIT THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. - YMCA CAMP WATIA YMCA CAMP WATIA IS AN AFFORDABLE OVERNIGHT CAMP FOR ALL CHILDREN IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, REGARDLESS OF FAMILY INCOME. IT IS MADE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL FAMILIES THROUGH COMPARATIVELY LOW COSTS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. HEALTHY LIVING - AQUATICS PROGRAMS THE Y OFFERS LESSONS FOR SWIMMERS OF ALL LEVELS AND AGES, INCLUDING FUN, EDUCATIONAL CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 MONTHS THROUGH 12 YEARS. WE ALSO PROVIDE THE SAFETY AROUND WATER PROGRAM, A FOUR-TO-EIGHT-LESSON CURRICULUM THAT TEACHES CHILDREN HOW TO BE SAFE IN AND NEAR BODIES OF WATER, AS WELL AS SOME BASIC SWIM SKILLS. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE THE PIRANHAS, A YEAR- ROUND COMPETITIVE SWIM TEAM FOR SWIMMERS AGES 6-18. - YOUTH SPORTS YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS HONOR THE CORE Y VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE A QUALITY EXPERIENCE FOR PLAYERS, COACHES, AND FAMILIES, AND WE PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF EACH ATHLETE TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL THROUGH SKILL REFINEMENT, TEAMWORK, AND SPORTSMANSHIP. WE SERVE YOUTH AGES 3-14. - NUTRITION PROGRAMS ACCESS TO FRESH, HEALTHY FOOD IS A CORNERSTONE OF HEALTH THAT CAN AFFECT PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO THRIVE. THE Y IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING FOOD ACCESS AND FOOD SECURITY. WE DO THIS BY DISTRIBUTING FRESH PRODUCE AT NO CHARGE, WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED, AND BY OFFERING PRACTICAL, COST-EFFECTIVE COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS AND NUTRITION EDUCATION. WE DO THIS AT MOBILE FOOD MARKETS IN SEVERAL COUNTIES EACH MONTH. WE ALSO OPERATE A CENTRAL HUB TO RECEIVE, SORT, AND STORE DONATED FOOD BEFORE DISTRIBUTING IT AT MOBILE FOOD MARKETS. OUR MOBILE FOOD MARKET PROGRAM SERVED OVER 36,500 PEOPLE BY DISTRIBUTING OVER 128,000 POUNDS OF FOOD. MOBILE FOOD MARKETS SUPPORT RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS FIVE COUNTIES IN ACCESSING NO COST HEALTHY FOOD. - LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA IS A FREE 12-WEEK, EVIDENCE-BASED, SMALL-GROUP PROGRAM THAT OFFERS ADULT CANCER SURVIVORS A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON THE WHOLE PERSON. GOALS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE BUILDING MUSCLE MASS AND STRENGTH, INCREASING FLEXIBILITY AND ENDURANCE, AND IMPROVING FUNCTIONAL ABILITY. IN 2024 WE PRESENTED THIS PROGRAM IN PERSON AT SEVERAL YMCA LOCATIONS. - DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM THE YMCA OF WNC'S DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM (DPP) IS A YEAR-LONG, COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM FOR ADULTS AT RISK OF DEVELOPING TYPE 2 DIABETES. THIS EVIDENCE-BASED MODEL FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION HAS PROVEN THAT LIFESTYLE CHANGES CAN PREVENT OR DELAY THE ONSET OF TYPE 2 DIABETES. THIS 12-MONTH, SUPPORTIVE, VIRTUAL/CLASSROOM-BASED PROGRAM FOCUSES ON THE SKILLS NEEDED TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE TYPE 2 DIABETES BORDER. KEY PROGRAM COMPONENTS INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR WEIGHT LOSS VIA HEALTHY EATING STRATEGIES, INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND TOOLS TO OVERCOME BARRIERS AND MANAGE STRESS. THE YMCA OF WNC'S PROGRAM EMPHASIZES INTENTIONAL RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, CONNECTEDNESS AMONG PARTICIPANTS, AND EXCELLENT PROGRAM FACILITATION BY SKILLED LIFESTYLE COACHES. THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY OFFERED AT NO COST IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. MULTICULTURAL- SPECIFIC COHORTS ARE AVAILABLE. IN 2024 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS MET ONLINE AND IN PERSON. - DIABETES EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM THE DIABETES EMPOWERMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAM (DEEP) IS A 10-WEEK DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO HELP THOSE LIVING WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES THRIVE. IN A SMALL SUPPORTIVE GROUP SETTING, DEEP PROVIDES EDUCATION AND SUPPORT THAT ENCOURAGES PARTICIPANTS TO LEARN HOW TO SELF-MANAGE THEIR CHRONIC CONDITION AND REDUCE THEIR RISK OF COMPLICATIONS BY LEARNING HOW TO EAT A HEALTHY, BALANCED DIET, INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, UNDERSTAND HOW DIABETES AFFECTS THE BODY, LOSE WEIGHT AND UNDERSTAND MEDICATION INTERVENTIONS. OFFERED IN PERSON AT NO-COST IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WE OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR YMCA PROGRAMS AND MEMBERSHIPS ON A CASE- BY-CASE BASIS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEM. OUR SLIDING-SCALE FEES ALIGN WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL'S OR FAMILY'S FINANCIAL SITUATION. WE DO NOT TURN AWAY ANYONE FOR THEIR INABILITY TO PAY. - GLOBAL RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THE YMCA OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA BUILDS STRONG COMMUNITIES. WE OFFER PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT FOR EVERYONE, FROM NEW PARENTS, CHILDREN, AND TEENS TO COLLEGE STUDENTS, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, HEALTH SEEKERS, AND OLDER ADULTS. THE Y IS A PLACE WHERE ALL PEOPLE ARE RESPECTED AND WELCOME AND RECEIVE WHAT THEY NEED TO THRIVE. WE ARE MADE UP OF PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, FRO

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 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 October 1942.

    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.