South Sound Young Mens Christian Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY AN AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE RESOURCE FOR THE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY THROUGH RECREATIONAL HEALTH AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS.
- Income
- $14.6 million
- Spending
- $13.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 17.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 89%
- Employees
- 673
- Volunteers
- 388
- Highest pay
- $301,271, ceo/president
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 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 2516 of 16 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 (4)
- $5.5 million spent. INTRODUCTION - AT THE Y, STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY IS OUR CAUSE AND ALL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES ACT AS AN EXTENSION OF OUR Y'S COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING AN EQUITABLE, ANTI-RACIST COMMUNITY. WE BELIEVE THAT POSITIVE, LASTING PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE CAN ONLY COME ABOUT WHEN WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TO INVEST IN OUR KIDS, OUR HEALTH AND OUR NEIGHBORS. THAT'S WHY WE FOCUS OUR WORK IN THREE AREAS: * YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN * HEALTHY LIVING - IMPROVING THE NATION'S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING * SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - GIVING BACK AND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO OUR NEIGHBORS. WE STRIVE TO MAKE OUR PROGRAMMING IN THESE THREE AREAS AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL. AS A RESULT, OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, A TOTAL OF $919,733 IN DIRECT AND INDIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS AWARDED TO OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND FACILITY MEMBERS. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - THE Y IS COMMITTED TO NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN. THIS MEANS ELIMINATING RACE AS A FACTOR IN ONE'S ABILITY TO THRIVE. IN Y PROGRAMS, YOUNG PEOPLE CULTIVATE THE VALUES, SKILLS, AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH, AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. THE Y OFFERS A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH AND ADDRESS TRADITIONAL BARRIERS TO ACHIEVEMENT FOR MANY YOUTH. OUR LARGEST PROGRAM SERVICE AREA, CHILDCARE AND YOUTH PROGRAM SERVICES, FALLS INTO OUR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AREA OF FOCUS. OUR CHILDCARE PROGRAMS INCLUDE SCHOOL-AGE CARE AT 29 SCHOOL SITES IN THURSTON AND MASON COUNTIES AND SUMMER AND HOLIDAY DAY CAMPS. DURING 2025, THERE WERE 1,754 CHILDREN NURTURED IN DAILY CHILDCARE PROGRAMS AND 946 CHILDREN ENGAGED IN SUMMER AND HOLIDAY DAY CAMPS. OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS TYPICALLY INCLUDE SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES; A VARIETY OF ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN SUCH THINGS AS MUSIC AND DANCE; AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES IN OUR TEEN LEADERSHIP, MIDDLE SCHOOL AND YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. DURING 2025, 3,322 CHILDREN WERE EMPOWERED THROUGH YOUTH SPORTS, ENRICHMENT AND TEEN LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS. IN PURSUIT OF OUR MISSION OF MAKING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACCESSIBLE, WE PROVIDED OVER $420,000 OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THIS PROGRAM SERVICE AREA. HEALTHY LIVING - THE Y IS A LEADING VOICE ON HEALTH AND WELL BEING. THE Y BRINGS FAMILIES CLOSER TOGETHER, ENCOURAGES GOOD HEALTH AND FOSTERS CONNECTIONS THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS, FUN, AND SHARED INTERESTS. AS A RESULT, PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE RECEIVING THE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE GREATER HEALTH IN SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS THE NATION STRUGGLES WITH AN OBESITY CRISIS, FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH WORK/LIFE BALANCE, AND INDIVIDUALS SEARCH FOR PERSONAL FULFILLMENT AND TO COMBAT LONELINESS. OUR SECOND LARGEST PROGRAM SERVICE AREA IS MEMBERSHIP. THE SOUTH SOUND YMCA OPERATES THE BRIGGS COMMUNITY YMCA FACILITY, THE PLUM STREET YMCA FACILITY AND THE SHELTON FAMILY YMCA. OUR BRANCHES ENGAGED OVER 27,500 FACILITY MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND OF THOSE, 9,941 WERE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 AND 5,904 WERE 55 OR OLDER. FACILITY MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES ACCESS TO NUMEROUS GROUP HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND FITNESS CLASSES BUT WE ARE MORE THAN A GYM. OUR FACILITIES OFFER VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO CONNECT. THESE OPPORTUNITIES RANGE, FOR EXAMPLE, FROM PLAY TIME DURING OPEN SWIM TO ENJOYING CONVERSATIONS AND CAMARADERIE AROUND A TABLE IN OUR LOBBY IN A SOCIAL SETTING. IN PURSUIT OF OUR MISSION OF MAKING HEALTHY LIVING OPPORTUNITIES ACCESSIBLE, WE PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $476,000 OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN OUR MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM SERVICE AREA. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - THE Y AIMS TO CREATE A SPACE WHERE EVERYONE BELONGS AND CONTRIBUTES TO STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL FABRIC OF THE COMMUNITY. IN THIS WAY, THE Y EFFECTS REAL AND MEANINGFUL CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY. ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES, Y STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND MEMBERS FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING, STRIVE FOR ACHIEVEMENT, AND BUILD MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS. INITIATIVES FROM SHOWER PASS PROGRAMS TO HOSTING THE REGIONAL EMERGING MULTICUTURAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ARE NOT JUST SERVICES THE Y PROVIDES, THEY ARE TANGIBLE MANIFESTATIONS OF Y'S DEDICATION TO SOCIAL EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY. AQUATICS, WHICH IS OUR THIRD LARGEST PROGRAM SERVICE AREA, CAN FALL INTO THE THIRD FOCUS AREA OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, AS WELL AS THE TWO FOCUS AREAS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED. AS THE PIONEER IN LIFE GUARDING AND GROUP SWIM LESSONS, THE Y CONTINUES TO BE THE LEADER IN KEEPING FAMILIES SAFE AROUND THE WATER THROUGH ACCESSIBLE QUALITY SWIM LESSONS AND LIFEGUARD TRAINING. SINCE 1910, THE SOUTH SOUND Y HAS TAUGHT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KIDS HOW TO SWIM AND BE SAVE AROUND WATER. IN 2025, OVER 3,100 YOUTH LEARNED TO SWIM IN OUR POOLS. IN ALL IN 2025, THERE WERE OVER 10,000 PARTICIPANTS IN NUMEROUS REGISTERED PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND WE ENGAGED OVER 388 VOLUNTEERS WHO CONTRIBUTED OVER 7,000 HOURS TO HELP THE ORGANIZATION ACHIEVE ITS MISSION. (Expenses $ 830,044 including grants of $ 563)(Revenue $ 180,062) OTHER
- $3.9 million spent. MEMBERSHIP - SEE SCHEDULE O
- $1.0 million spent. (Expenses $ 830,044 including grants of $ 563)(Revenue $ 180,062) OTHER
- $830,044 spent. OTHER
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1945.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
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