Our Impact

At the YMCA, we believe that in order to strengthen communities, we must understand the current issues and foresee the future needs of the people and communities we serve. We measure success by our positive impact on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Our Impact

The Y by the Numbers

The nation’s 2,650 Ys serve 11 million people in 10,000 communities and are spread across all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

BY THE NUMBERS

  • 4 million kids engaged and empowered

    Through the Y, more than 4 million children and teens today are cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement.

  • 40 Million people served around the world

    Worldwide, the Y serves more than 40 million people in 120 countries. Each Y plays an integral role in strengthening its own local community, while partnering with each other to inspire global change.

  • 233,000 U.S.-based volunteers

    Over 233,000 people of all backgrounds and skills volunteer their time and talent for Y's across the country.

  • 92,000 staff ages 24 and younger

    We estimate there are 92,000 Y staff age 24 and younger, and they all can be changemakers.

Advocacy

Nationally and in all 50 states, the Y advocates for positive social change. Collaborations with policymakers, community leaders and private and public organizations help advance the Y's community-strengthening efforts. In 2020, Y advocates sent over 100,000 letters to Congress to support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Volunteerism

The Y encourages individual involvement and investments that support and lead critical overarching work in the community, all in an effort to increase the number of people we reach and the impact we make. In fact, the Y mobilizes 570,000 volunteers each year.

Global Engagement

Ys in the U.S. partner with Ys around the world to address social issues impacting communities at home and abroad, and engage young people to lead change. Together, they provide critical services and support to more than one million people across the globe each year.

Community Programs

Each year, the Y offers more than 12,000 scholarships that teach children life-saving water safety skills to children most at risk of drowning. We also help people improve job-readiness and earning potential through adult literacy, GED prep and job training programs.

Giving Everyone a Chance

When communities are forgotten, the Y remembers. No one is invisible. No neighborhood or community is left behind.

Watch more Y stories

  • One Number Different

    In America, the zip code you're born in can determine your future. The Y's programs and services create opportunities to succeed, no matter where you grow up.

Find Your Y

In the U.S., the Y is comprised of YMCA of the USA, the national resource office, and more than 2,600 Ys with approximately 19,000 full-time staff and 570,000 volunteers in 10,000 communities across the country. Find your nearest Y by searching below.

Coordinates

Impact in Action

If you'd like to learn more about the Y's efforts to strengthen and engage our communities, check out the pages below as well.

  • Our Reach

    The Y has the long-standing track record and on-the-ground presence necessary to address the nation’s most pressing social issues related to young people, health and community life. We work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. That's exactly why the nation’s more than 2,600 Ys serve 22 million people in 10,000 communities and are spread across all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

  • Financial Transparency

    We're very open about our mission, programs and finances. Each year, the Y leverages approximately $1.5B in grants to increase each local Y's capacity to strengthen communities, with more than $600M in government grants and more than $930M in non-government grants. Here, you’ll find copies of YMCA of the USA’s IRS Form 990 and related financial documents. Form 990 is an annual return that certain federally tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS.

  • Our History

    Today, the Y engages more than 10,000 neighborhoods across the U.S. As the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to helping people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, our contributions are both far-reaching and long-lasting. Learn more about our rich history, and get a snapshot of our many successes over the last 170 years on behalf of the individuals and communities we are privileged to serve.

  • Pandemic Response

    In March 2020, as the country began to shut down due to COVID-19, food insecurity rates across the country quickly rose. For the Y, the need was overwhelming, but so was the response. Ys across the country were uniquely positioned to respond to this crisis