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Santa Maria Valley Young Mens Christian Association

EIN 95-2158363 · Santa Maria, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT IS PRINCIPALLY A FELLOWSHIP OF PERSONS DEDICATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS PROMOTING STRONG FAMILIES, HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, YOUTH LEADERSHIP INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES .

Income
$10.7 million
Spending
$7.1 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
18.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 68%
Employees
406
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$228,263, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $4.6 million spent. Youth Development-The Santa Maria Valley YMCA also offers community programs to promote Youth Development and nurture the potential of every child and teen Youth Development programs. Program participants range in age from Preschoolers, kindergarten-age kids to summer camps and day camps, which provide youth/teens with opportunities for authentic outdoor experiences and positive out-of-school activities. The YMCA provides Career Day events in all the High Schools in Santa Maria and Orcutt. This program teaches Teen leadership and helps high school age kids develop leadership skills and self-confidence. This Y also teaches our teen youth job readiness by offering internships and on-the-job training at local businesses in the teens' area of interest. This past year, these Youth Development programs impacted at least 1,000 high school kids. Expanding the Y's focus on youth development, the Santa Maria Valley YMCA also leads 16 afterschool programs from K-6 grade. The program takes place directly on school campuses, providing a balanced curriculum of academics (aligned with state standards), nutrition/physical activity through the Healthy Behavior Initiative, enrichment/learning and character-building. The kindergarten program has a minimal cost to the families and extensive financial assistance is given. No family is turned away for inability to pay. The 1 -8th grade program is funded by the State of California Proposition 49. Approximately 700 children in preschool, kindergarten and 1-8th grade afterschool care are served each year.
  2. $1.3 million spent. Healthy Living-With a focus on Healthy Living, the YMCA is provides community-based solutions that influence positive change in individuals and in our community. The YMCA is for all people who are making their way toward a life of positive self-esteem, health, and well-being. The YMCA's commitment to support people's efforts to take personal responsibility and make good decisions around nutrition, positive activity, and self-care, spans across generational lines. The Santa Maria Valley YMCA's focus on Healthy Living is evident in numerous programs, including SPORTS, which promotes teamwork, interaction, and development of social and physical skills for more than 1,000 youth and adults, SWIM, which impacts more than 1,200 people, a fitness and well-being center that provides support to 6,000 active older adults, teens and families in their pursuit of healthy spirit, mind and body. The Santa Maria Valley YMCA is a training site for the California Healthy Behavior Initiative which addresses serious health problems facing students in low-income communities at high risk for obesity. This program is being implemented in the afterschool care, summer camp, preschool and kinderbridge programs. Our programs are accessible, affordable and open to all faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. We provide financial assistance to overcome economic barriers to participation.
  3. $86,636 spent. Social Responsability-The Santa Maria Valley Family YMCA's community programs promote Social Responsibility by engaging people in opportunities to support their neighbors and give back. The YMCA focuses on reaching out to underserved populations, creating new opportunities for inter-generational interaction, expanding volunteerism, and promoting togetherness among families and the community. The YMCA is a catalyst for bringing people together for the greater good. This past year, one example the Y led efforts to bring the community together was our annual Family Day in the Park providing free entertainment and activities for all ages. Over 5,000 children and families attended the event. Also, The Y recruited and engaged over 850 volunteer tutors in all the schools in the Santa Maria Bonita School District to help with children's homework in the after school care program.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1966.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.