YMCA of Greater Charlotte
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE YMCA OF GREATER CHARLOTTE IS DEDICATED TO PUTTING CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL. INSPIRED BY CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES, WE AIM TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, EQUIP NEXT GENERATION OF CHANGEMAKERS AND FOSTER INNOVATION AND UNITY FOR GREATER IMPACT.
- Income
- $87.6 million
- Spending
- $87.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 73%
- Employees
- 4,618
- Volunteers
- 3,500
- Highest pay
- $426,734, chief executive officer
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: 58 out of 100. Higher than 41% 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 23% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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 2520 of 20 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)
- $31.8 million spent. HEALTHY LIVING: The YMCA of Greater Charlotte serves as a center of connection, health and well-being for the region. Through 14 YMCA centers, two resident camps and three program centers, the Y helped more than 200,000 people strengthen their health, build meaningful relationships and access programs that support healthy spirit, mind and body in 2025. The YMCA maintained an average of more than 46,500 memberships throughout the year, providing individuals and families with access to fitness facilities, wellness programs, aquatics, sports, group exercise, chronic disease prevention programs and opportunities for social connection. The Y taught more than 12,000 swim lessons and served more than 1,200 children through its Safety Around Water program, equipping participants with life-saving skills and helping reduce the risk of drowning in our community. Through evidence-based health and wellness programs, partnerships and inclusive access initiatives, the YMCA works to improve quality of life, foster belonging and strengthen community well-being for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. By creating welcoming spaces where individuals can build healthy habits, connect with others and thrive, the YMCA advances its commitment to building thriving, inclusive and connected communities throughout the Charlotte region. During 2025, members visited YMCA Centers nearly 3.9 million times, demonstrating the important role YMCA centers play as gathering places for health, connection and belonging. More than 800,000 participants attended group exercise classes across the association, strengthening both their physical well-being and their sense of community. In addition, more than 3,200 personal and small-group training sessions provided individualized support to help participants achieve their health and wellness goals. Recognizing that community well-being extends beyond physical fitness, the YMCA continued to address critical social determinants of health, including food insecurity. Through Pop-up Food Shares, in partnership with Nourish Up, more than 380,000 pounds of food were distributed to 13,000 individuals in need through YMCA centers across the region.
- $25.7 million spent. YOUTH AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT: The YMCA of Greater Charlotte partners with families, schools, volunteers and community organizations throughout Mecklenburg and Iredell counties to help young people reach their full potential, strengthen family stability and create pathways for lifelong success. Across 14 YMCA centers, two resident camps, three program centers and numerous community-based locations, the Y delivers programs that support youth development, academic achievement, character formation, water safety, health and well-being, and access to opportunities that help individuals and families thrive. In 2025, the YMCA enriched the lives of more than 12,000 people through programs designed to foster belonging, build confidence and strengthen connections within the community. Financial assistance is available through a scholarship program that provides discounted membership and program access based on household income, ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent participation. Programs such as Y Readers, a nationally recognized literacy intervention initiative, help children improve reading proficiency and build a strong foundation for future academic success. Through youth development, educational support, leadership opportunities and family-centered programming, the YMCA is helping equip the next generation of changemakers while strengthening the communities it serves. The YMCA's Y Readers program, a nationally recognized literacy intervention initiative serving students from kindergarten through third grade, helped nearly 900 children strengthen their reading skills and improve their chances of meeting 3rd grade reading benchmarks and graduating on time. Led by certified teachers and supported by community volunteers, the program provides individualized academic support during critical developmental years. In addition, more than 4,000 students benefited from literacy instruction integrated throughout YMCA youth programs, helping build the foundational skills necessary for lifelong learning and success. The YMCA also supports families during the earliest stages of a child's development through Parents as Teachers, an evidence-based program that served almost 300 families with children under age five in 2025. Parent educators help caregivers strengthen their role as their child's first teacher while providing guidance on early childhood development, health and school readiness. Families served often face challenges such as low household income, limited educational attainment or lack of access to health insurance, making these supports especially impactful in promoting family stability and positive outcomes for children. More than 600 teens developed leadership skills, explored career pathways and prepared for future success through programs including Level Up, Leaders Club, Leaders Team, Y Achievers and the Best Buy Teen Tech Center. These programs provide safe, supportive environments where young people can build confidence, develop critical life skills and connect with mentors and peers who help them realize their potential as future leaders and changemakers in their communities. The YMCA is committed to ensuring that individuals of all abilities have access to meaningful opportunities to learn, grow and belong. Adaptive and inclusive programs in water skiing, dance, cheerleading, swim lessons, basketball and Miracle League baseball, along with Camp Boomerang, a summer camp experience for children with diverse abilities, served more than 425 participants in 2025. These programs foster confidence, independence, social connection and a sense of belonging for participants and their families.
- $21.5 million spent. DAY CAMP / OUTDOOR / RESIDENT CAMP: YMCA camps provide transformative experiences that help young people build confidence, independence, leadership skills and meaningful relationships while fostering a lifelong connection to nature and community. During the summer of 2025, the YMCA served over 7,600 campers through day and resident camp programs at two resident camps. Accredited by the American Camp Association, YMCA of Greater Charlotte's resident camps provide safe, supportive environments where young people develop character, resilience, teamwork and self-reliance through outdoor adventure and shared experiences. In addition, nearly 3,800 children participated in summer day camps at YMCA centers throughout the region. The Environmental Education Center at Camp Thunderbird served nearly 10,000 school-aged children through hands-on learning experiences focused on ecology, environmental stewardship, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These programs encourage curiosity, collaboration, problem-solving and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
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 July 1973.
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.