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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: February 2026 Expires: February 2028

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
6 7 14
(616) 855-9600
475 Lake Michigan Drive NW
Grand Rapids, MI, 49504
https://www.grymca.org
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

YMCAGR does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least Every 2 Years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

YMCAGR does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.

Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

YMCAGR does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2026 budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Did not identify total projected program service expenses nor break these expenses down by major program category.
  • Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to strengthen the spirit, mind and body of all individuals."

Year, State Incorporated:
1866, MI

Also Known As:
The Young Men's Christian Association of Greater Grand Rapids

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids (YMCAGR) reports that it, guided by its Christian principles, works to ensure a stronger, healthier community through promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. The healthy living program seeks to make fitness and wellness programs accessible, while also offering group fitness, strength training, water exercise, and senior fitness programs. YMCAGR states that it works with local organizations to build community support and mobilizing volunteers to ensure vulnerable populations have access to resources, such as food service programs and financial assistance. The organization also operates a youth development program, which provides childcare and early learning, out-of-school programming, and student development leadership opportunities.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids's program expenses were:

Child care $16,320,541
Physical fitness and wellness $11,756,728
Aquatic program $3,568,195
Healthy living $3,541,079
Camping program $1,974,470
Total Program Expenses $37,161,013

Chief Executive
Scott Lewis, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$404,764

Chair of the Board
Michael G. Wooldridge

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Partner, Varnum LLP

Board Size
28

Paid Staff Size
1499

*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Telephone appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Television, Radio, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Membership appeals, Workplace Giving

Fundraising costs were 5% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $16,255,890, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Source of Funds
Membership fees $21,298,326
Contributions and grants $16,255,890
Childcare fees $8,009,544
Program fees $4,807,729
Investment income $1,011,928
Interest rate swap adjustment $98,469
Miscellaneous income $14,644
Total Income $51,496,530

Programs: 87% Fundraising: 2% Administrative: 11%

Total Income $51,496,530
Total expenses: $42,874,896
  Program expenses $37,161,013
  Fundraising expenses $811,096
  Administrative expenses $4,902,787
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $8,621,634
Beginning Net Assets $57,925,973
Other Changes In Net Assets $-398,193
Ending Net Assets $66,149,414
Total Liabilities $44,685,644
Total Assets $110,835,058

Note: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to a change in beneficial interests in perpetual trusts ($58,048) and a loss on disposal of property and equipment (-$456,241).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB of Detroit & Eastern Michigan