The YMCA of Greater Nashua today earned the 2018 Platinum GuideStar Nonprofit Profile Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by GuideStar, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information. By sharing metrics that highlight progress the YMCA of Greater Nashua is making toward its mission, the organization is helping donors move beyond simplistic ways of nonprofit evaluation such as overhead ratios.

“In accordance with our long-held belief in being transparent about our work,” said Elizabeth Covino, director of community relations, “we are excited to convey our organization’s results in a user-friendly and highly visual manner. By updating our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile to the Platinum level, we can now easily share a wealth of up-to-date organizational metrics with our supporters as well as to reach the Platinum level, the YMCA of Greater Nashua added extensive information to its Nonprofit Profile on GuideStar: basic contact and organizational information; in-depth financial information; qualitative information about goals, strategies, and capabilities; and quantitative information about results and progress toward its mission. By taking the time to provide this information, the YMCA of Greater Nashua has demonstrated its commitment to transparency and to giving donors and funders meaningful data to evaluate the organization.

“I encourage you to visit our profile on GuideStar to see what we’re all about,” added Ms. Covino. “We’re thrilled that our GuideStar Platinum Nonprofit Profile and its associated benefits help us better communicate our organization’s exciting initiatives at a global scale.”

The YMCA of Greater Nashua has provided $1,392,570 in community benefits and services to those in need in our community. This includes $814,500 awarded in Y cares Financial Assistance scholarships to enable children, adults and seniors with limited financial means to participate in any Y program or service. Significant aid is for childcare, after-school care and summer camp, allowing parents who are low-wage earners to work or return to school and afford quality child care. Also part of that community benefit is $578,070 invested by the Y and its funding partners toward community-based initiatives. The Y provides several evidence-based programs at no cost including: YMCA Power Scholars Academy, LiveSTRONG at the YMCA cancer survivor program, Prescribe the Y youth anti-obesity initiative, YMCA Achievement Center, and Superhero Training Academy. Additionally, the Y has demonstrated social responsibility by allowing many non-profits free use of the facilities to plan and carry out their work and Y staff plan an active role in many community-wide initiatives related to closing the achievement gap and public health concerns.