Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Sonoma County Family YMCA

EIN 94-1265049 · Santa Rosa, CA

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

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 55 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SONOMA COUNTY FAMILY YMCA SEEKS TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE THROUGH PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. AT THE Y, STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY IS OUR CAUSE. WE BELIEVE THAT POSITIVE, LASTING PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE CAN ONLY COME (SEE SCHEDULE O) ABOUT WHEN WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TO INVEST IN OUR KIDS, OUR HEALTH, AND OUR NEIGHBORS. THAT'S WHY WE FOCUS OUR WORK ON THREE AREAS: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN; HEALTHY LIVING - IMPROVING OUR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING; AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - GIVING BACK AND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO OUR NEIGHBORS.

Income
$9.1 million
Spending
$9.6 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
442
Volunteers
65
Highest pay
$240,593, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 55 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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 June 30, 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. $4.6 million spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - THE YMCA IS COMMITTED TO NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN. THE YMCA BELIEVES THAT ALL KIDS DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE. THAT IS WHY THE YMCA HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE CULTIVATE THE VALUES, SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. YMCA PROGRAMS OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH.
  2. $2.9 million spent. HEALTHY LIVING - THE YMCA IS A LEADING VOICE ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. THE YMCA BRINGS FAMILIES CLOSER TOGETHER, ENCOURAGES GOOD HEALTH AND FOSTERS CONNECTIONS THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS, FUN AND SHARED INTERESTS. AS A RESULT, PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY RECEIVE 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 OBESITY, FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND INDIVIDUALS SEARCH FOR PERSONAL FULFILLMENT.
  3. $877,868 spent. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - THE YMCA BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK AND SUPPORTING ITS NEIGHBORS. THE YMCA HAS BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO THE COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS. YMCA PROGRAMS DELIVER TRAINING, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT THAT EMPOWER OUR NEIGHBORS TO EFFECT CHANGE, BRIDGE GAPS AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES. THE YMCA ENGAGES MEMBERS, PARTICIPANTS, AND VOLUNTEERS IN ACTIVITIES THAT STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY AND PAVE THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO THRIVE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 1956.

    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.