YMCA of Northwest Florida

What it reported doing in 2025

Youth Development The YMCA of Northwest Florida is an association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion to strengthen the community for everyone. Thanks to the generous support of donors, we were able to make the Y experience open to everyone, including those in need, regardless of their financial situation. During this period, our local community outreach in youth programs provided direct financial assistance of approximately $355,000, ensuring that everyone had an opportunity to participate. We have been the community's leader in childcare for more than 45 years, responding to the critical need for quality childcare that supports and strengthens all families. We are dedicated to nurturing the potential of kids in a safe and fun-filled environment where kids and young teens can learn, grow, and thrive together. We are the largest local provider of school-age childcare and continue to expand the quality of our programs through a curriculum that emphasizes educational enrichment, STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), and vigorous, active play. During summer months and school breaks, children need a safe program that combats summer learning loss and physical inactivity. YMCA camp promotes hands-on learning and interaction with a diverse group of others - a great alternative to hours of screen time or an empty house - and offers plenty of exercise. We have steadily expanded our Teen Leadership Program for the summer, doubling the number of youth reached. The out-of-school programs at the Pullum Branch and Northeast Branch served children from a wide range of socioeconomic sectors and abilities. For this past period we reached over 1,400 youth in afterschool and camp programs at our branches and on-site at schools in our two-county service area, 25% of whom received Y Assistance that enabled them to participate. We offered our YMCA Reads Program in seven Escambia County elementary schools in the 2024-25 and 2025-2026 academic years, serving over 280 students who were typically 1-2 years behind in grade-level reading. Students participated in an average of 60 hours each in an evidence-based phonics curriculum designed to help new and struggling readers. Year-end results indicated that 84% showed improvement in their assessed reading level, and 90% passed the curriculum mastery tests. In Y sports programs, we build skills, teach values, and promote fun. An alternative to highly competitive programs, we have no tryouts. Rather, each child plays at least half of every game, and we encourage parent involvement. During this period, over 600 children and 30 volunteers actively participated in sports including soccer, flag football, basketball, volleyball, and baseball. In a coastal Florida community, our children's safety in and around the water is a top priority. Swim lessons at the Y give children the skills to be safe in the water, plus a sense of accomplishment from learning something new and a great way to exercise for life. We delivered almost 900 swim lessons during the period, while providing thousands of people the chance to enjoy recreational pool time. In our diverse abilities program, over 50 youth with special needs learned water safety in a one-on-one environment. We partnered with other local groups to deliver Safety Around Water and trained 65 new lifeguards, who then served at our pools and other area aquatic venues to keep swimmers of all ages safe.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 78.3%; rating input score 78
• Program expense ratio: 92.6%; rating input score 93
• Fundraising efficiency: $11.94 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 42; 42nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd 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: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • 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: Scored; rating input score 0

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd 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: 15.4%; rating input score 66; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.23; rating input score 72; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.25; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 5%; rating input score 57; 57th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 10.3% per year; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.9% per year; rating input score 100; 29th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.3% per year; rating input score 100; 29th percentile among comparable filings