Young Men's Christian Association of Greater Charlotte

What it reported doing in 2025

YOUTH AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT: The YMCA of Greater Charlotte partners with families, schools, volunteers and community organizations throughout Mecklenburg and Iredell counties to help young people reach their full potential, strengthen family stability and create pathways for lifelong success. Across 14 YMCA centers, two resident camps, three program centers and numerous community-based locations, the Y delivers programs that support youth development, academic achievement, character formation, water safety, health and well-being, and access to opportunities that help individuals and families thrive. In 2025, the YMCA enriched the lives of more than 12,000 people through programs designed to foster belonging, build confidence and strengthen connections within the community. Financial assistance is available through a scholarship program that provides discounted membership and program access based on household income, ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent participation. Programs such as Y Readers, a nationally recognized literacy intervention initiative, help children improve reading proficiency and build a strong foundation for future academic success. Through youth development, educational support, leadership opportunities and family-centered programming, the YMCA is helping equip the next generation of changemakers while strengthening the communities it serves. The YMCA's Y Readers program, a nationally recognized literacy intervention initiative serving students from kindergarten through third grade, helped nearly 900 children strengthen their reading skills and improve their chances of meeting 3rd grade reading benchmarks and graduating on time. Led by certified teachers and supported by community volunteers, the program provides individualized academic support during critical developmental years. In addition, more than 4,000 students benefited from literacy instruction integrated throughout YMCA youth programs, helping build the foundational skills necessary for lifelong learning and success. The YMCA also supports families during the earliest stages of a child's development through Parents as Teachers, an evidence-based program that served almost 300 families with children under age five in 2025. Parent educators help caregivers strengthen their role as their child's first teacher while providing guidance on early childhood development, health and school readiness. Families served often face challenges such as low household income, limited educational attainment or lack of access to health insurance, making these supports especially impactful in promoting family stability and positive outcomes for children. More than 600 teens developed leadership skills, explored career pathways and prepared for future success through programs including Level Up, Leaders Club, Leaders Team, Y Achievers and the Best Buy Teen Tech Center. These programs provide safe, supportive environments where young people can build confidence, develop critical life skills and connect with mentors and peers who help them realize their potential as future leaders and changemakers in their communities. The YMCA is committed to ensuring that individuals of all abilities have access to meaningful opportunities to learn, grow and belong. Adaptive and inclusive programs in water skiing, dance, cheerleading, swim lessons, basketball and Miracle League baseball, along with Camp Boomerang, a summer camp experience for children with diverse abilities, served more than 425 participants in 2025. These programs foster confidence, independence, social connection and a sense of belonging for participants and their families.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 90.2%; rating input score 90
• Fundraising efficiency: $3.82 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 10; 10th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.7%; rating input score 95; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • 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: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 65th 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: 0.2%; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.11; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.23; rating input score 64; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 3%; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 0.4% per year; rating input score 100; 12th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 0.8% per year; rating input score 100; 6th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 1.4% per year; rating input score 100; 8th percentile among comparable filings