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Family YMCA of the Desert

EIN 95-3673295 · Palm Desert, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT IS A CHARITABLE, COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION THAT INCLUDES MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES, INCOMES, RACES, AND RELIGIONS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING STRONG KIDS, STRONG FAMILIES, AND STRONG COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. WE FOCUS OUR WORK IN THREE KEY AREAS BECAUSE NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF KIDS, HELPING PEOPLE LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES AND SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES. OUR YMCA IS FOUNDED AND LED BY VOLUNTEERS FROM OUR COMMUNITY; VOLUNTEERS ALSO SERVE AS MENTORS, COACHES, PROGRAM LEADERS, INSTRUCTORS, AND MORE. THE SUCCESS OF OUR YMCA LIES IN THE STRENGTH OF OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Income
$9.3 million
Spending
$9.3 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 68%
Employees
335
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$203,125, ceo

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: 57 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% 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

    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 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. $4.9 million spent. CHILDCARE PROGRAMS: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN OUR CARE TO REMAIN GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, KNOWING THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE THRIVING IN A SAFE, DEVELOPMENTALLY SOUND ENVIRONMENT. THE FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT PROVIDES TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDCARE SERVICES. WE WORK IN A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN OUR VALLEY TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN CAN DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM AND CORE VALUES. WE ENGAGE OUR PARTICIPANTS IN A VARIETY OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO HELP THE COMMUNITY DEVELOP HABITS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLES.
  2. $2.1 million spent. AQUATICS PROGRAM: THE YMCA OPERATES AN AQUATICS PROGRAM AT THE PALM DESERT AQUATICS CENTER. THE PALM DESERT AQUATICS CENTER PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS WHICH INCLUDE SWIMMING LESSONS, WATER EXERCISE, WATER THERAPY, GENERAL EXERCISE, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES AND MANAGEMENT OF SWIM MEETS AND WATER POLO MEETS. THE PALM DESERT AQUATICS CENTER IS OWNED BY THE CITY OF PALM DESERT AND IS OPERATED BY THE FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT. THE LARGE FACILITY SITS ON AN EIGHT-ACRE PARCEL IN THE CITY CENTER PARK AND HAS THREE YEAR-ROUND POOLS AVAILABLE FOR EXERCISE AND ENJOYMENT. THE 50-METER BY 25-YARD OLYMPIC-SIZED COMPETITION POOL PROVIDES LONG COURSE AND SHORT COURSE OPTIONS FOR LAP SWIMMING OR COMPETITION EVENTS.
  3. $1.7 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS: PROVIDE CHALLENGE AND PROMOTE MENTAL DEVELOPMENT, PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, SOCIAL GROWTH, AND SELF-RESPECT. IN ALL OF OUR PROGRAMMING, WE INTEGRATE OUR FOUR CORE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. WE TEACH OUR YOUTH AND TEENS TO BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR PEERS AND WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO VOLUNTEER AND BECOME MENTORS TO OTHERS, BECAUSE VOLUNTEERISM IS THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL ACT OF CITIZENSHIP AND PHILANTHROPY IN OUR SOCIETY. OUR PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AT AFFORDABLE FEES FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE FULL FEE.

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 January 1989.

    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.