Darien YMCA

What it reported doing in 2025

Youth development: at the y, we give young people a safe place to belong, to build confidence and to learn positive behaviors from strong role models who exemplify the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Whether it be childcare, early education, youth swimming, gymnastics and sports, or summer camp, our programs and staff provide the support and opportunities needed to help our youth learn, grow, and thrive. Around 175 students belonged to the y's early education program at holly pond school where children had the ability to discover their potential and develop their skills. Approximately 250 children participated in the y's kids club after school program, which provided a fun childcare option for families when the school day ended. Over $172,700 in financial assistance was awarded to 130 children to attend kids club, nursery school, holly care, or vacation camp in 2025. More than 5,300 youth built a sense of confidence and teamwork while staying active through the y's recreational sports programs and leagues. More than 1,700 children learned to become safer and more confident in the water through swim lessons at the y. Over 1,300 kids attended summer camp, including campers with special needs where they made new friends, tried new things, and made lasting memories. About 145 young athletes participated in the house team and piranha swim team: the y's competitive aquatic teams. These programs teach kids life skills such as setting goals, developing leadership, managing their time, along with building their self-confidence. Our world-class gymnastics program serves preschool age children through young adults, helping them strive to be the best they can be in and out of the gym. This incredible program served over 1,600 children in 2025.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 70%; rating input score 70
• Program expense ratio: 85.9%; rating input score 86
• Fundraising efficiency: $2.23 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 5; 5th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 16.2%; rating input score 70; 70th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.19; rating input score 55; 55th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.21; rating input score 51; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 12.4%; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 1.6% per year; rating input score 100; 16th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.9% per year; rating input score 100; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 1.4% per year; rating input score 100; 11th percentile among comparable filings