Giving That Changes Lives
At the Y, we believe everyone deserves the same opportunities, no matter who you are or where you’re from. That’s why we work tirelessly to close gaps and bridge divides..
We need your help to power our transformational programs and services and create opportunities for everyone in our community to thrive, regardless of age, income, or background.
Your support can make all the difference. When you give to the Y, you partner with us to tackle our community’s most critical needs. Whether providing mentorship support, preventing summer learning loss, educating all age groups in physical wellness, removing barriers to childcare, and walking alongside individuals and families to be healthy, connected, and successful, we are building a stronger community.
For a Better Us.
Every gift makes a difference.
Everyone has a role to play.
Together, we can achieve so much more.
MAKE AN IMPACT TODAY! or text "GIVE" to 616.236.2819
Resilient in 2020 - Creating a Stronger 2021
Our YMCA has been committed to the communities we serve for more than 150 years. In 2020, although our doors were closed for more than 150 days, the Y never stopped serving. We adjusted, we adapted, we met our community’s needs. We stayed hard at work providing emergency childcare services to frontline workers, nutritious food to families and neighbors in need, and virtual engagement opportunities to keep individuals active.
In 2021, we are a reflection of our powerful community: we are resilient, we are stronger, and we are a fusion of what we’ve learned and who we seek to become. We’ve opened doors, reunited friends, connected youth, served families, and added programming with each passing week. We have our gaze set on building a bright future for all.
Because of donors, supporters, members, and neighbors like you, we are making our community stronger. We can’t wait for what lies ahead.
Together, we’re a better us.
Annual Campaign: A Community of Belonging
The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is a cause-driven organization committed to improving the quality of life for those in our community.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING A LASTING IMPACT!
As we celebrate the conclusion of our 2019-2020 Annual Campaign, we want to share how incredibly grateful we are for the hard work of our Annual Campaign Supporters & Campaigners. Together, our victories for this campaign—uniting donors, members, and our community to the cause—make a meaningful and measurable difference. A campaign victory is a victory for our community that makes a lasting impact!
Click below to see our impact in action by watching
our Annual Campaign Victory Celebration video:
What Is The Annual Campaign?
The Annual Campaign allows us to fully realize our mission especially as it relates to the last two words “for all”. We listen to the community and respond to their needs through safe, high quality, character-building programs for all inside and outside our facilities. Annual Campaign contributions provide the ability to subsidize these programs and even make them accessible at no cost to the community.
How It Works
Fundraising volunteers join together in an effort to share the Y story to everyone in their networks: friends, family, colleagues, fellow members and program participants! By doing this, they communicate the Y’s daily impact on people’s lives in Greater Grand Rapids and share how they, too, can have an opportunity to give back.
With your support and by sharing your passion for the Y, we can reach into the community and make an impact in the lives of others.
When you give to the Y, your gift will help will help address community need through long-lasting transformations in West Michigan. Your support means that we broaden our community of belonging.
Each of our YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids locations responds to the unique needs of the communities we serve. Learn about the additional programs and services that are funded by Annual Campaign donations at your YMCA.
Donate Today or text "GIVE" to 616.236.2819
HOUR OF IMPACT
Coming November 16, 2021
Make plans to join us this fall as we share a piece of the powerful story that is the YMCA.
For more information email Heidi at hleggett@grymca.org.
2020 HOUR OF IMPACT
The 2020 Hour of Impact Virtual Video Series gifts that were made will help propel our organization forward as the YMCA provides critical opportunities for all. The David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundation provided a $10,000 match that extended the reach of those gifts. It is our sincere hope that our gratitude can be felt and that you see your role in the work we do each day. Thank you for your support.
Become a Campaign Volunteer
Each year, fundraising volunteers join together in an effort to share the “Y story” to everyone in their networks.
By doing this, they communicate the Y’s daily impact on people’s lives in Greater Grand Rapids and share how they, too, can have the opportunity to give back. Won't you join us?
Stories of Impact
The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is West Michigan’s leading nonprofit strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We inspire a love for learning in thousands of youth, transform the health of thousands of individuals and families, and cultivate vibrant communities with programs and facilities in four counties. Because of you…children have the support they need to become successful adults, individuals develop the courage to fight obesity, and families grow stronger together. We are proud to share our Stories of Impact that shows how your gift makes a different in the lives of individuals.
Kids to Y Camp
There are memories and moments in our childhood that we never forget. Ask anyone who’s ever been to camp, they’ll tell you it’s among their favorite childhood memories.
Whether it’s making new friends, learning new songs, gaining confidence and independence, telling stories by the campfire, YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin has something for everyone.
There is no better way to get out kids outside and away from screens than through summer camp. According to the American Camping Association, just one week of summer camp increases self-confidence and communication skills, promotes positive relationship-building skills, reduces summer learning loss and cultivates an appreciation of the great outdoors.
The Y’s vision is to provide and inclusive YMCA camp experience and send 726 kids to camp through thanks to your support. At camp, children develop valuable life skills through disguised learning, free play, and interaction with youth of varying backgrounds, as well as build self-esteem.
Your gift the YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin provides the opportunity for kids in our community who cannot afford a camp experience to create lifelong memories. Donations from $300-$500 can support scholarships for one week of summer day camp while $600-$1,000 of support can make it possible for kids to attend overnight camp.
Donate Today or text "GIVE" to 616.236.2819
Making A Difference
Gifts of every size make a difference. Please consider helping us send kids to camp this summer.
Make a gift and Donate Today and select YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin. Give a child an unforgettable, life changing summer.
Planned Giving: Ensure a Brighter Future
The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids manages endowment funds that ensure the Y continues to strengthen communities in West Michigan for generations to come through the generosity of our Heritage Club members.
The Heritage Club
The Heritage Club is a circle of friends who share a commitment to the long-term financial stability of the Y and a belief that the Y’s life-changing programs continue to be offered to future generations. At its core, the Heritage Club is a community of caring people coming together to meet the needs of others for lifetimes beyond their own.
Perhaps you grew up in the YMCA, your children learned to swim at the Y, or you just have the vision to see a better community for the future – the YMCA has a place in your heart.
Whether a gift to the Y’s endowment fund comes in the form of life insurance, a bequest in a will, or even through a gift of cash or securities, your planning for the future helps to ensure the future availability of the YMCA’s programs and values to children and families throughout the West Michigan community.
For further information about becoming part of the Heritage club contact Heidi at hleggett@grymca.org
Donate Today or text "GIVE" to 616.236.2819
Join Us!
Please consider joining the Heritage Club through a gift to the Y Endowment Fund.
To learn more about how our planned gift can benefit our community, view the brochure or contact Development.