Executive Compensation at the YMCA (2022)

The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) is a worldwide (120 countries) organization based in Geneva, Switzerland (World Alliance of the YMCA). Within the United States, there are approximately 2,700 YMCA’s serving 10,000 communities that rely on the YMCA of the USA (that is also known as the National Council of YMCA’s of the USA) that in turn relies on The World Alliance of the YMCA).  In the most simplistic terms, the YMCA is organized as follows:

World Alliance of the YMCA

125 National Associations (including The YMCA of the USA/National Council of YMCA’s of the USA)

Alliances (typically geographic) and Local Chapters (including 2,650 YMCA’s in the USA)

In the USA, each local chapter is a separate 501 (c) (3) that files its own IRS Form 990, as is the YMCA of the USA, a national resource organizaition based in Chicago, Illinois  that seeks to strengthen local YMCA’s through grants and program services.

The YMCA of the USA is overseen by 26 independent voting members of its governing body although 36 are listed on the 2022 Form 990.  13 of the 36 (36%) are female while 23 of the 36 (64%) are male (note:  The Form 990 does not report gender; determinations were made based on name and google searches and are presented to show if the board is diversified).

Total revenue was $119 million (compared to $145 million in 2021, $118 million in 2020 and $140 million in 2019), most of which is derived from program services and contributions, gifts, and grants.

Expenses totaled $129 million (not including $2 million in depreciation)  with the two largest expenses reported to be grants ($47 million) and compensation ($32 million).

Net assets were $186 million at the beginning of the year. After accounting for excess expenses and unrealized losses on investments, the YMCA of the USA reported $152 million in net assets at year-end  2022.

208 employees received $32 million in compensation, which equates to an average compensation of $154,000 (compared to $144,000 in 2021 and $113000 in 2020). 96 individuals received more than $100,000 in compensation.

The 9 mostly highly compensated employees received $4.6 million (an average of $500,000):

• $739,229: Suzanne McCormick, President and CEO
• $704,312:  Paul McEntire, EVP, Chief Operating Officer
• $526,625:  Rebecca Bowen, EVP, Chief Advancement Officer
• $509,148:  Roger Jackson, VP, Certification and Membership Standards
• $456,061:  Karyn Kirk, EVP and Chief Legal Officer
• $426,310:  Shawn Borzelleri, EVP, Chief Network Experience Officer
• $416,378:  Robert Denton, EVP, Chief Government Relations and Chief Public Policy Officer
• $411,576:  Emmanuel Cesar Silva, EVP, Chief Administrative Officer (effective 4/22)
• $388,253:  Nancy L Owens, SVP and CFO (thru 3/22)

Of the 9 most highly compensated employees, 5 are male while 4 are female.

It is important to note the long-time (2015-2021) President and CEO of the YMCA of the USA, Kevin Washington retired in 2021. Mr Washington received $4 million in compensation from 2017-2021:

Kevin Washington

• 2021:  $855,104 (retired 8/21)
• 2020:  $793,640
• 2019:  $786,138
• 2018:  $763,350
• 2017:  $829,255

The five (5) most highly compensated employees in 2022 received $8.5 million in compensation from 2018-2022 (note:  the most highly compensated employees from 2018-2021 but not in 2022 are not included in the list below):

Suzanne McCormick:  Total Compensation 2021-2022:  $1 million

• 2022:  $739,229
• 2021:  $288,858 (began 9/21)

Paul McEntire:  Total Compensation 2018-2022:  $3 million

• 2022:  $704,312
• 2021:  $671,663
• 2020:  $648,314
• 2019:  $635,455
• 2018:  $471,478

Rebecca Bowen:  Total Compensation 2019-2022:  $2 million

• 2022:  $526,625
• 2021:  $449,623
• 2020:  $432,513
• 2019:  $418,621

Roger Jackson:  Total Compensation 2022:  $0.5 million

• 2022:  $509,148

Karyn Kirk:  Total Compensation 2018-2022:  $2 million

• 2022:  $456,061
• 2021:  $435,140
• 2020:  $424,155
• 2019:  $401,354
• 2018:  $288,506

68 independent contractors received more than $100,000 each with the five most highly compensated reported to be:

• $2.2 million:  VML, of Kansas City, MO for brand and customer experience
• $2.2 million:  Mouri Tech, of Irving Texas for database development and support services
• $2.0 million:  Grant Thornton, of Chicago, IL for audit, tax, and advisory services
• $1.2 million:  Praeisdum, of Arlington TX for child safety initiative
• $1.0 million:  Edelman, of Chicago, IL for membership business model (note:  the YMCA of the USA paid $1 million to McKinsey and Company for membership business model in 2021)

To find out the executive compensation of an alliance or local YMCA, the specific IRS Form 990 must be consulted.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2022) for the YMCA of the USA, click here.