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Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Illinois DOGE Profile: Bloomington-Normal YMCA

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B.J. Wilken, CEO at the Bloomington-Normal YMCA | www.linkedin.com

B.J. Wilken, CEO at the Bloomington-Normal YMCA | www.linkedin.com

Bloomington-Normal YMCA, a tax-exempt nonprofit that receives significant public funding to perform services also offered by the state, was approved to receive a $135,000 grant in FY2024, according to passed legislation data extracted from the Illinois General Assembly’s FY2024 budget (Public Act 102-6 0698).

This appropriation represents state-level funding authorized by lawmakers, reflecting what was approved in the budget, not necessarily disbursed. The funds cover only State of Illinois support and exclude federal, local, or other public sources.

Founded in 2003, Bloomington-Normal YMCA states that its mission is: “To put Christian principles into practice through programs, services and relationships that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”

You can learn more about the organization at its website.

In its most recent IRS Form 990 filing filing for tax year 2024, the organization reported $578,343 in total revenue.

The nonprofit listed $566,037 in contributions overall. It also reported $566,037 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.

In terms of staffing, the organization spent $130,000 on salaries and reportable employee compensation in 2024, along with $26,462 in additional non-salary compensation such as retirement benefits, housing allowances, or travel stipends.

Combined, these totaled $156,462 in staff-related costs, which equates to 27.1% of total reported revenue.

At the beginning of 2024, Bloomington-Normal YMCA had $8,796,940 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $6,958,000, indicating a 20.9% decline in overall holdings.

However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.

Bloomington-Normal YMCA is one of hundreds of nonprofits across Illinois that receive substantial support from state taxpayers while also fundraising privately.

In 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1266, also known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Act. The proposal would create a new oversight body within the Office of the Auditor General tasked with identifying cost-saving measures, reviewing agency performance, and advising on audit priorities. If passed, DOGE could bring additional scrutiny and performance evaluation to taxpayer-funded organizations.

According to ProPublica, Illinois has more than 78,000 active tax-exempt organizations, including nearly 60,000 classified as charitable nonprofits. In their most recent IRS filings, these groups reported a combined revenue exceeding $156 billion.

Bloomington-Normal YMCA 990 Filing – Key Officers
TermNameTitle
2024-2024B.J. WilkenSecretary
2024-2024James A ShirkTrustee
2024-2024John RobertsonTrustee
2024-2024Julie L DobskiVice Preside
2024-2024Millicent M RothTrustee
2024-2024Paul JeffersonTreasurer
2024-2024Paul W SmithTrustee
2024-2024Peter W BrandtTrustee
2024-2024Rick S PennTrustee
2024-2024Stephen W SnyderPresident
2024-2024William C WetzelTrustee
Bloomington-Normal YMCA Employee Roster (Most Recent Year Available)
YearNameTitleCompensation
2024B.J. WilkenSecretary-

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