Young Men's Christian Association of Greater Erie

What it reported doing in 2025

EARLY LEARNING & SCHOOL-AGE ENRICHMENT At the YMCA, we strive to help all children reach their potential. We cultivate the values and skills that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement. Woven into the fabric of the YMCA mission is a commitment to strengthening families. YMCA child care programs relieve the burden of balancing work and family, and enable parents of children in our care to remain gainfully employed, knowing their children are thriving in a safe, high-quality environment that offers a range of experiences that enrich social-emotional, cognitive and physical growth. During weather related remote school days and closures, the Y provided a safe environment for students so their parents can go to work. Expenses include subsidies and reduced fees that make participation possible for more than 60% of the children we engage. Our YMCA provides reduced fees for child care services. In 2025, the YMCA provided $79,062 in scholarships to 89 children to assist with their fees. The Y continues to accept children through the state subsidy program. We participated in the Pennsylvania tax credit program (Pre-K EITC) that allows businesses to recieve tax credits for supporting our pre-kindergarten education programs. Last year, more than $31,000 was contributed to the Y. In 2025, more than 1,325 participants were served in licensed child care. We also provide free family fun events to promote healthy family interactions and enrich relationships between parents and children enrolled in our program. Our high-quality licensed child care promotes educational, emotional, physical, and social growth for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children from diverse backgrounds. We participate in the Keystone STARS Quality Initiative at all 13 licensed child care locations. The YMCA continues to be a leader in early care and education. PRE-K COUNTS Our Y is committed to providing educational equity to those most at risk, creating a foundation for success. The YMCA of Greater Erie partnered with the State of Pennsylvania to offer free preschool to low-income children through the State's Pre-K Counts program. Pre-K Counts is an initiative created to build and strengthen pre-kindergarten partnerships in communities so that each community can create a self-sustaining system for providing high-quality early learning experiences to children in all settings. This program sponsored over 160 children in 2025. SUMMER CAMP The YMCA delivered summer camp programming to more than 335 children, combining educational enrichment, physical activity, and character development for children ages 5-12. Camps featured on-site field trips, arts, STEM, games, and social-emotional learning. Scholarships were awarded to ensure all children, regardless of income, could attend. Programs reduced summer learning loss and improved child wellness. COMMUNITY SCHOOL The YMCA of Greater Erie is the lead non-profit partner at Harding Elementary School providing on-site support to students, families, and faculty. COMMUNITY RECREATION In collaboration with the City of Erie and the Housing Authority, the YMCA served more than 475 youth (ages 6-18) through free recreation, mentoring, and educational enrichment programs. Programs included Summer Parks & Rec, and year-round Kids Clubs for youth in low-income housing. Activities included sports, art, theater, and health education, with meals and snacks provided.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 95.3%; rating input score 95
• Program expense ratio: 90%; rating input score 90
• Fundraising efficiency: $217.38 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 90; 90th 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: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • 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: 92%; rating input score 92; 21st 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: -2.9%; rating input score 13; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.75; rating input score 47; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.2; rating input score 53; 53rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 2.6%; rating input score 76; 76th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 0% per year; rating input score 100; 10th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 0.1% per year; rating input score 100; 6th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 1.1% per year; rating input score 100; 10th percentile among comparable filings