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YMCA of Catawba Valley

EIN 56-0928743 · Hickory, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL.

Income
$14.9 million
Spending
$15.0 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 78%
Employees
914
Volunteers
1,800
Highest pay
$286,141, president/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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 25

    24 of 24 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, 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 (4)
  1. $6.4 million spent. FAMILY LIFE ACTIVITIES ARE DRIVEN BY OUR MISSION TO BUILD SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY, OFFER A PLACE TO BELONG, PEOPLE WHO CARE, AND FUN, AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS. FAMILY LIFE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CHILD CARE (FULL-DAY INFANT, TODDLER, AND PRESCHOOL, PART DAY PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS, SCHOOL-AGE CHILD CARE FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE-SCHOOLERS, SUMMER DAY CAMP, AND HOLIDAY CAMP). THIS ALSO INCLUDES FAMILY PROGRAMMING (FAMILY MEMBERSHIP, FAMILY ACTIVITY PROGRAMS, FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE, PARENTING SKILLS PROGRAMS, FOOD SERVICE PROGRAMS, AND TEEN CHARACTER AWARDS. REVENUES ABOVE INCLUDE A PRO-RATA PORTION OF MEMBERSHIP DUES TOTALING $4,795,401.71
  2. $4.4 million spent. WELLNESS AND FITNESS PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS & CHILDREN ARE DRIVEN BY OUR MISSION TO BUILD SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY, OFFER A PLACE TO BELONG, PEOPLE WHO CARE, AND FUN, AS WELL AS, PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS. EXAMPLES INCLUDE GROUP EXERCISE, HEALTH RISK/LIFESTYLE ASSESMENT, FITNESS TESTING, PERSONAL FITNESS PROGRAMS FOR THOSE STARTING OUT, PERSONAL TRAINING, PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND YOUTH FITNESS, INCLUDING PRESCHOOL MOVEMENT, PARENT-CHILD, AND TEEN EXERCISE.REVENUES INCLUDE PRO-RATA PORTION OF MEMBERSHIP DUES WHICH TOTAL $404,272.54
  3. $1.6 million spent. AQUATIC PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS & CHILDREN ARE DRIVEN BY OUR MISSION TO BUILD SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY, OFFER A PLACE TO BELONG, PEOPLE WHO CARE, AND FUN, AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS. EXAMPLES INCLUDE WATER EXERCISE CLASSES AND ARTHRITIS CLASSES, YOUTH AND ADULT SWIM INSTRUCTION, CPR AND FIRST AID, CLASSES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, COMPETITIVE SWIMMING AND WATER POLO, AND LIFE GUARDING INSTRUCTION.REVENUES ABOVE INCLUDE A PRO-RATA PORTION OF MEMBERSHIP DUES TOTALING $392,449.40
  4. $698,228 spent. SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS & CHILDREN ARE DRIVEN BY OUR MISSION TO BUILD SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY, AND OFFER A PLACE TO BELONG, PEOPLE WHO CARE, AND FUN. THEY ALSO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS. EXAMPLES INCLUDE ADULT LEAGUES, YOUTH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL, YOUTH BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, SOCCER, HOCKEY, FLAG FOOTBALL, AND TENNIS.REVENUES ABOVE INCLUDE A PRO-RATA PORTION OF MEMBERSHIP DUES TOTALING $619,919.35

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

  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 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 April 1969.

    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.