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Young Mens Christian Association of Orange County

EIN 95-1644055 · Tustin, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNITY IS OUR CAUSE. WE WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF AGE, INCOME, OR BACKGROUND HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, GROW, AND THRIVE THROUGH OUR FACILITIES, FITNESS PROGRAMS, FAMILY PROGRAMMING, COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND MORE.

Income
$56.9 million
Spending
$53.9 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 63%
Employees
1,999
Volunteers
139
Highest pay
$811,129, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (5)
  1. $25.5 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O.CHILD CARE: THE YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY CONNECTS FAMILIES AND SUPPORTS YOUTH THROUGH SAFE, INCLUSIVE, AND DEVELOPMENTALLY SUPPORTIVE BEFORE- AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS FOSTER BELONGING AND HELP CHILDREN FEEL VALUED AS PART OF THEIR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY. CHILDREN ARE SUPPORTED ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY THROUGH STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES, HANDS-ON LEARNING, PHYSICAL PLAY, ENRICHMENT CLUBS, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD POSITIVE PEER AND MENTOR RELATIONSHIPS.ROOTED IN THE Y'S PILLARS OF CONNECTION (RELATIONSHIPS), PEOPLE (FAMILY SUPPORT), AND WELLNESS (WHOLE-CHILD DEVELOPMENT), THESE PROGRAMS CREATE CONSISTENT ENVIRONMENTS WHERE CHILDREN CAN LEARN, GROW, AND DEVELOP CONFIDENCE. THE YMCA CURRENTLY PROVIDES CURRICULUM-BASED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AT OVER 103 SCHOOL-BASED LOCATIONS ACROSS ORANGE COUNTY, RIVERSIDE COUNTY, POMONA VALLEY, AND EAST SAN GABRIEL VALLEY, AS WELL AS SEASONAL DAY CAMPS AND YEAR-ROUND ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCES.
  2. $8.2 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O.MEMBERSHIP AND WELLNESS: THE YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY PROVIDES COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACROSS EVERY STAGE OF LIFE. THE Y APPROACHES WELLNESS HOLISTICALLY, ADDRESSING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, MENTAL WELL-BEING, SOCIAL CONNECTION, AND EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE. THROUGH FITNESS CENTERS, AQUATICS PROGRAMS, YOUTH AND ADULT SPORTS, SENIOR ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS, AND FAMILY-CENTERED RECREATION ACROSS 5 WELLNESS LOCATIONS, PARTICIPANTS MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL HEALTH.PROGRAMMING IS INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO PROMOTE CONNECTION (MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNITY BELONGING), PEOPLE (STRENGTHENING FAMILY AND SOCIAL BONDS), AND WELLNESS (SUPPORTING HEALTHY LIVING FOR MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT). THE Y PROVIDES ACCESSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS TO SET PERSONAL GOALS, DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS, AND ENGAGE IN A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYONE IS WELCOMED AND VALUED.
  3. $9.5 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O.NEW HORIZONS: THE YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY'S NEW HORIZONS PROGRAM SERVES ADULTS (18+) WITH DEVELOPMENTAL AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES BY PROVIDING INCLUSIVE, COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN GROUP OUTINGS, WELLNESS ACTIVITIES, SKILL-BUILDING PROGRAMS, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES THAT PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE, CONFIDENCE, COMMUNITY BELONGING, AND LONG-TERM FRIENDSHIPS.THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE Y'S PILLARS OF CONNECTION (RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING AND REDUCING ISOLATION), PEOPLE (STRENGTHENING FAMILY AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT SYSTEMS), AND WELLNESS (ENHANCING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH). WHILE PARTICIPANTS ARE ENGAGED IN SUPERVISED ACTIVITIES, CAREGIVERS RECEIVE MEANINGFUL RESPITE SUPPORTHELPING TO SUSTAIN FAMILY STABILITY AND LONG-TERM WELL-BEING.INCLUSION SERVICES: THE YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY'S INCLUSION PROGRAM SUPPORTS YOUTH IN TK-6TH GRADE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES BY CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD SOCIAL SKILLS, DEVELOP INDEPENDENCE, AND LEARN SELF-MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE YMCA'S BEFORE- AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS. THROUGH A POSITIVE, SUPPORTIVE APPROACH, WE EMPHASIZE BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT ALONGSIDE PLAY, SOCIAL INTERACTION, AND SELF-CARE SKILL DEVELOPMENTALL WHILE FOSTERING SUCCESS THROUGH RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING GAMES AND ACTIVITIES.THE PROGRAM REFLECTS THE Y'S CORE PILLARS: CONNECTION (BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND REDUCING ISOLATION), PEOPLE (STRENGTHENING FAMILY AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT SYSTEMS), AND WELLNESS (PROMOTING EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH). PARTICIPANTS ENJOY A SAFE, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT THAT NURTURES CONFIDENCE, SKILLS, AND INDEPENDENCE HELPING SUSTAIN FAMILY STABILITY AND LONG-TERM WELL-BEING.
  4. $2.2 million spent. ADVENTURE GUIDES: THE ADVENTURE GUIDES PROGRAM STRENGTHENS PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH SHARED EXPERIENCES DESIGNED TO BUILD TRUST, COMMUNICATION, AND EMOTIONAL CONNECTION. SERVING PARENTS AND CHILDREN AGES 312, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO SPEND INTENTIONAL TIME TOGETHER THROUGH OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, GROUP EVENTS, SKILL-BUILDING EXPERIENCES, AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING.ALIGNED WITH THE Y'S PILLARS, ADVENTURE GUIDES SUPPORTS CONNECTION (QUALITY TIME STRENGTHENING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS), PEOPLE (FAMILIES GROWING TOGETHER IN SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY), AND WELLNESS (DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE, RESILIENCE, AND PERSONAL GROWTH). THE PROGRAM FOSTERS LONG-TERM RELATIONAL HEALTH BY CREATING STRUCTURED OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO DEVELOP LASTING MEMORIES AND DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF ONE ANOTHER IN A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT.
  5. $1.0 million spent. CAMPS: Y CAMP HAS BEEN A TRADITION DATING BACK TO AS EARLY AS 1885. THE Y OFFERS A VARIETY OF CAMPS CREATED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES. THE Y CAMPS INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL, SUMMER DAY CAMPS, WINTER DAY CAMPS, AND SPECIALTY CAMPS. EACH CAMP IS DESIGNED WITH THE Y'S CORE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY AT THE CENTER OF ALL ACTIVITIES. Y CAMP PROGRAMS ARE EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENTIAL; THEY FOSTER COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT, PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, SOCIAL GROWTH, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AND A RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. THROUGH A VARIETY OF ENGAGING ACTIVITIES AND THE USE OF NATURAL SURROUNDINGS, Y CAMP PROGRAMS ENCOURAGE PARTICIPANTS TO EXPLORE AND DEVELOP THEIR INTERESTS AND ABILITIES IN A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 October 1934.

    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.