FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
YMCA MEMBERSHIP TOPS 20 MILLION ACCROSS AMERICA
YMCA of the USA releases national statistics demonstrating unprecendented reach, fiscal strength
CHICAGO, September 26, 2005 - New data released today by YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the nation's 2,594 independent YMCAs, shows YMCAs across the country now count more than 20.1 million members, half of them children, more than 600,000 volunteers and revenues over $4.75 billion. For the first time ever, more Americans belong to a YMCA than the combined population of the top five U.S. cities.
Increasingly recognized as one of America's top "charities of choice," YMCAs across the country are strengthened by the extraordinary generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations and public entities at all levels. Contributed gifts and public support represented nearly $1.3 billion or 26.9 % of combined YMCA revenue in 2004. This included more than $287 million raised in capital campaigns and $144 million raised in annual campaigns, as well as $85 million from the United Way and $587 million from foundation and government grants.
"At a time when studies show that American children and adults are increasingly inactive, overweight and at risk of obesity and other chronic illness, public awareness and support of the YMCAs' crucial role remains exceptionally strong," said Kenneth L. Gladish, Ph.D., president and CEO, YMCA of the USA. "Today YMCAs are involved in groundbreaking research, and convening policymakers around the country to get children and adults more active. And the strong support of the public, will help YMCAs engage still more children and at-risk teens in creative, well-supervised programs that get them active while building good character and self-confidence."
In 2004, YMCAs collectively remained the nation's largest provider of child care egaging more than 500,000 children in high-quality, affordable care through nearly 10,000 YMCA operated child care sites across the country. Meanwhile, as the country's demographics shift and nearly 78 million baby boomers begin to enter their 60s, YMCAs' programs for older adults are growing rapidly and adults 65 and older now represent the fastest-growing category of YMCA membership. In 2004 fifty-six percent of Ys offered Older Adult Fitness, the number of YMCAs offering Older Adult Sports increased 95.7 percent and 1044 Ys offered arthritis aquatics classes.
From urban areas to small towns, YMCAs are at the heart of community life in the United States with 42 million families and 72 million households located within three miles of a YMCA. As such, YMCAs partner with thousands of local organizations to develop and implement effective collaborative programs and community-based solutions.
Other items of note in 2004:
- 1,638 Ys worked collaboratively with elementary schools and 1,019 with hospitals
- Ys served more than 9.7 million members under the age of 18, an increase of 5.2 percent over 2003
- More than a third of all families benefitting from YMCA childcare reported annual incomes less than $25,000 and 60 percent earn less the $40,000.
- 645 YMCAs offered one or more of a range of Arts & Humanities programs
- The number of YMCAs offering Family Fitness jumped 94.2 percent.
Top Five YMCA Programs in 2004:
- Day Camp
- Youth Basketball and Aerobic Group Exercise
- Youth Progressive Swim
- Step Aerobics
- School Age Child Care
YMCA of the USA's annual statistics were tallied from 2,594 YMCA responses to a questionnaire on 2004 operations collected in the first quarter of 2005. Additional YMCA statistics can be found online at www.ymca.net.
YMCA of the USA is national resource office for America's 2,594 YMCAs, collectively the nation's largest community service organization and charity of choice. YMCAs serve 20.1 million people, including 9.7 million children, through a broad range of programs. YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, incomes and abilities. Financial assistance is available. Visit www.ymca.net
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For more information contact:
Media Relations Manager
YMCA of the USA
312-419-8418
Marci May
Jasculca/Terman and Associates
312-573-5464