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Young Mens Christian Association-Columbia

EIN 57-0314423 · Lexington, SC

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 YMCA OF COLUMBIA'S MISSION IS TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS INCLUDE THE PROMOTION OF THE ORGANIZATION'S FIVE CORE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, AND FAITH AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF ALL PROGRAMMING. THE YMCA OF COLUMBIA IS A FELLOWSHIP OF PEOPLE, BOTH MEMBERS AND PARTICIPANTS, WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS THROUGH PROGRAMS WE OFFER EQUITABLE ACCESS TO ALL WHO DESIRE TO JOIN US IN ACHIEVEMENT OF THIS PURPOSE WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, GENDER, INCOME, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY, RACE, CREED, OR RELIGION. THE METROPOLITAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE YMCA OF COLUMBIA CONSISTS OF 13 INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTING LOCAL BUSINESS, GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, AND A VARIETY OF PROFESSIONS COLLECTIVELY, THEY SUPPORT THE YMCA'S GOALS TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS THROUGH PROGRAMS

Income
$10.4 million
Spending
$11.2 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
956
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$190,486, 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

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 44% 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 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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

    16 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, 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)
  1. $10.0 million spent. HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN & YOUTH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY, DEMOGRAPHERS PROJECT THAT CHILDREN WILL LIVE SHORTER LIVES THAN THEIR PARENTS AND FACE A DECLINING STANDARD OF LIVING EVERY DAY. THE YMCA HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE DEEPEN POSITIVE VALUES, THEIR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND THEIR MOTIVATION TO LEARN. YMCA PROGRAMS OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCE THAT ENRICH A CHILD'S COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH EXPENSES INCLUDE SUBSIDIES AND DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT ENABLE MANY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE.
  2. $1 spent. HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOR ALL AT A TIME WHEN 17 PERCENT OF CHILDREN AND NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF ADULTS ARE CLASSIFIED AS OBESE, THE YMCA PROVIDES PEOPLE WITH THE SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTS THEY NEED FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL PURSUIT OF HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES AND INCOME LEVELS IMPROVE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.
  3. $1 spent. FAMILY STRENGTHENING PARENTS NOW SPEND AN AVERAGE OF 10-12 HOURS LESS PER WEEK WITH THEIR CHILDREN THAN THEY DID IN 1960. THE YMCA IS COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES BUILD STRONGER BONDS BY BRINGING THEM TOGETHER IN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT HELP FORM STABLE RELATIONSHIPS, ENHANCE COMMUNICATION AND PROMOTE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES. OUR YMCA HELPS FAMILIES BUILD STRONGER BONDS, ACHIEVE GREATER WORK/LIFE BALANCE AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES.

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 November 6, 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 December 1943.

    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 November 4, 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.