Young Mens Christian Assoc of Birmingham
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF BIRMINGHAM, INC. IS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION THAT OPENS ITS DOORS TO ALL WOMEN, MEN, FAMILIES, TEENAGERS, AND CHILDREN REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. THE MISSION OF THE YMCA IS TO PUT JUDEO-CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL. THE YMCA IS COMPRISED OF SEVEN COMMUNITY BRANCHES, TWO YOUTH CENTERS, AND ONE RESIDENT CAMP. INCORPORATING THE CORE CHARACTER VALUES OF CARING, RESPECT, HONESTY, AND RESPONSIBILITY INTO ALL OF ITS PROGRAMS, THE YMCA IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING A FIRM FOUNDATION AND SUPPORT SYSTEM PROMOTING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
- Income
- $36.5 million
- Spending
- $31.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 78%
- Employees
- 1,599
- Volunteers
- 643
- Highest pay
- $257,695, chief operations 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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 31% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 2539 of 39 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)
- $7.7 million spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: THE YMCA BELIEVES THAT ALL CHILDREN DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE. BECAUSE OF THEIR INTERACTION THROUGH THE YMCA, MILLIONS OF YOUTH TODAY ARE TAKING A GREATER INTEREST IN LEARNING, MAKING SMART LIFE CHOICES, AND CULTIVATING THE VALUES, SKILLS, AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, FOR EXAMPLE THE PURSUIT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND GOAL ACHIEVEMENT.AFTER SCHOOL ACADEMY IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOUTH IN EVERY COMMUNITY SUCCEED DEVELOPMENTALLY AND ACADEMICALLY. THE Y'S CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK, CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL EXPERTS IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE, AGE-APPROPRIATE, AND ENGAGING PROGRAMMING. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT YOUTH WHO PARTICIPATE IN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL ACADEMICALLY, MAINTAIN BETTER HEALTH, AND MORE OFTEN EXHIBIT POSITIVE BEHAVIOR. OUR INNOVATIVE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM IS CENTERED ON NINE RESEARCH-BASED COMPONENTS: ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, GLOBAL LEARNING, AND PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT.THE KINDERGARTEN READINESS PROGRAM SERVES 4-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN. THIS PROGRAM UTILIZES A CURRICULUM THAT TEACHES ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY, SCHOOL READINESS BEHAVIORS, AND VOCABULARY THROUGH ACTIVITIES, GAMES, AND SONGS. THE ACADEMIC CURRICULUM IS SUPPLEMENTED UTILIZING AGE APPROPRIATE CRAFTS AND GUEST READERS. FIRST CLASS PRE-K AT THE YMCA SERVES 4-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN. THE CLASS USES THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM FOR PRESCHOOL. THIS COMPREHENSIVE, RESEARCH-BASED CURRICULUM FEATURES EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY AS A WAY OF LEARNING; ENABLING CHILDREN TO DEVELOP CONFIDENCE, CREATIVITY, AND LIFELONG CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS. IT IS DESIGNED TO HELP EDUCATORS AT ALL LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE PLAN AND IMPLEMENT A DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE, CONTENT-RICH PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND SKILL LEVELS.IN SUMMER DAY CAMP, CAMPERS ENJOY A VARIETY OF FUN-FILLED ACTIVITIES INCLUDING RECREATIONAL GAMES, CRAFTS, AND SWIMMING. CAMPERS REGISTER IN THEIR FAVORITE THEMED CAMPS AND COMPLETE ACTIVITIES BASED ON THAT SPECIFIC CAMP. TO DELIVER ON OUR COMMITMENT TO NURTURE THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD, THE Y IS INTENTIONAL IN FOSTERING ACHIEVEMENT, RELATIONSHIPS, AND BELONGING THROUGH OUR SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAM. OUR FOCUS IS THE INFUSION OF EVIDENCE-BASED ACTIVITIES PROVEN TO BUILD DIMENSIONS OF WELL-BEING, INCLUDING SKILL BUILDING ACTIVITIES TO HELP CHILDREN REALIZE THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, PASSIONS, TALENTS, AND POTENTIAL, BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS TO DEMONSTRATE THE ROLE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS PLAY IN THE WELL-BEING OF A CHILD, HAVING A PLACE TO BELONG WHERE KIDS FEEL SAFE, WELCOME, AND FREE TO EXPRESS THEIR INDIVIDUALITY, AND INCORPORATING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, COGNITIVE, AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES INTO SUMMER DAY CAMP. THE Y IS EQUIPPING CHILDREN TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL IN SCHOOL AND LIFE. WITH THE RIGHT BUILDING BLOCKS FOR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT, CHILDREN GAIN THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO BE ACTIVE, THRIVE, AND CONTRIBUTE AS VALUABLE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.THE YMCA YOUTH AND TEEN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PREPARES OUR YOUTH FOR LIFE BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL. IT IS COMPRISED OF TWO COMPONENTS: Y ACHIEVERS AND CIVIC LEADERSHIP TRAINING/YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT. Y ACHIEVERS BRINGS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TOGETHER TO PARTICIPATE IN CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, VISIT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, AND MEET IN SMALL GROUPS TO EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONS. CIVIC LEADERSHIP TRAINING/YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT IS A NATIONAL PROGRAM OF THE YMCA. IT INVOLVES THOUSANDS OF TEENS NATIONWIDE IN STATE-ORGANIZED MODEL-GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. IN YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT, TEENS FROM ACROSS THE STATE MEET IN THEIR LOCAL CLUBS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO DISCUSS AND DEBATE ISSUES THAT AFFECT CITIZENS OF THEIR STATE AND TO PROPOSE POSSIBLE LEGISLATION TO MAKE STATE GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT. THE PROGRAM CULMINATES WITH THE TEENS SERVING AS DELEGATES AT THEIR STATE CONFERENCE, DEBATING BILLS ON THE FLOOR OF THE LEGISLATURE. AS A RESULT OF THE PROGRAM, YOUNG PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM AND ARE TRAINED IN PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE, LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE PROCESS, DEBATE, PRESS RELATIONS, AND LOBBYING TECHNIQUES. DELEGATES LEARN BY DOING AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY THEIR HAND AT LEADERSHIP IN AN OPEN AND RECEPTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
- $18.1 million spent. HEALTHY LIVING:IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS JEFFERSON AND SHELBY COUNTIES, THE YMCA IS A LEADING VOICE ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WITH A MISSION CENTERED ON BALANCE, EACH YMCA BRANCH BRINGS FAMILIES CLOSER TOGETHER, ENCOURAGES GOOD HEALTH, AND FOSTERS CONNECTIONS THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS, FUN, AND SHARED INTERESTS. AS A RESULT, YOUTH, ADULTS, SENIORS, AND FAMILIES ARE RECEIVING THE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO ACHIEVE GREATER HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOR THEIR SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMS GIVE PARTICIPANTS INCREASED SELF-CONFIDENCE TO INITIATE AND SUSTAIN POSITIVE HEALTH HABITS. SURROUNDED BY A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT AND MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS, PARTICIPANTS CREATE PERSONALIZED, REALISTIC HEALTH GOALS AND MAKE PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING LONG-TERM CHANGE THAT WILL LAST THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.THE PARKINSON'S DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP MEETS AT YMCA BRANCHES TO PROVIDE KNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT RESOURCES IN A SAFE AND CARING ENVIRONMENT TO PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON'S AND THEIR CARE PARTNERS. PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP PARTICIPANTS MEET WITH SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TO LEARN GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING LIVING WITH PARKINSON'S. THE MOVEMENT 2 MUSIC PROGRAM IS AN EXERCISE PROGRAM FOR ADULTS WITH MOBILITY DISABILITIES IN THE BIRMINGHAM AREA. THE PROGRAM COMBINES ELEMENTS OF DANCE WITH EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY TO CREATE A STRUCTURED INTERVENTION. PARTICIPANTS HAVE SHOWN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN WALKING ENDURANCE AND MOBILITY AS A RESULT OF THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM.
- $2.1 million spent. RESIDENT CAMPING AND RETREATS:AS PART OF THE Y'S COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY BY NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF YOUTH, YMCA CAMP PROGRAMS OFFER A FUN AND UNIQUE EXPERIENCE THAT GIVES CHILDREN AND TEENS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, MEET NEW FRIENDS, PLAY AND CREATE MEMORIES THAT LAST A LIFETIME, ALL WHILE BECOMING PART OF A COMMUNITY. WHILE SUMMER SHOULD BE A TIME OF EXPLORATION, YOUTH ARE SOMETIMES LESS INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES THAT STIMULATE THEIR MIND AND BODY. CAMP GIVES CHILDREN AND TEENS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUTDOORS AND LEARN ABOUT NATURE, DISCOVER NEW INTERESTS, BE MORE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE, AND DEVELOP CONFIDENCE, INDEPENDENCE, LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL SKILLS.
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 November 6, 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 October 1951.
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 November 4, 2026.
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