About the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids

The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids ensures a stronger, healthier community for all with a commitment to nurturing the potential of our youth, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility.

We love our community and we are excited to welcome you to it! We are deeply committed to our cause of strengthening community and ensuring that all people have access to opportunities. For more than 150 years, the Y has helped members improve their health and well-being while building a stronger sense of community.

OUR MISSION

Photo by: DGI and Bryan Esler Photo

Guided by our Christian principles, we strengthen the spirit, mind and body of all individuals.

The Y is one of West Michigan’s leading non-profits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. At the Y strengthening community is our cause. We believe that positive, lasting, personal, and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. We are a unique environment where kids learn and grow. We are a neighborhood resource allowing those that need us most access to a healthy and rewarding life. We have a long history of changing lives.

Dedicated to Youth Development

At the Y, we don’t just teach swimming lessons or coach soccer. We’re about youth development: ensuring that the children and teens in our programs reach their full potential by helping them grow—physically, mentally and socially—from young children into engaged, active members of their communities.

Focusing on Healthy Living

Being healthy means more than simply being physically active. It’s about maintaining a balanced spirit, mind and body. The Y is a place where you can work toward that balance by challenging yourself to learn a new skill or hobby, fostering connections with friends through our lifelong learning programs, or bringing your loved ones closer together through our many family-centered activities.

Driving Social Responsibility

The generosity of others is at the core of the Y’s existence as a nonprofit. It is only through the support of our hundreds of thousands of volunteers and public and private donors that we are able to support and give back to the communities we engage.

OUR HISTORY

View a timeline of our beginning in 1866 and how we’ve
strengthened our communities since.

OUR STAFF & LEADERSHIP

Our staff and leadership teams work with volunteers, partners
and donors to create and impact and strengthen our community.

OUR IMPACT

The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids community programs provide
innovative, evidence-based programs and services that improve the
health and wellness of our community. Many programs run through
donations/grants. These programs would not be possible without
the help of our community.

OUR DONORS

We are grateful to our leading donors from all branches
of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids for their commitments
to the Y’s cause-driven work. Together, we strengthen community.

OUR GRATITUDE REPORT

See how 2023 was a year of building momentum, building engagement
and building a clear vision for the future. The fruition of these dreams
for well-being across our community will only be successful through
your ongoing commitment to the tremendous value of a Y for all.

OUR CAREERS

At the Y, strengthening the community is our cause. Every day,
we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that
everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the
opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. We are more than a
place. We’re a purpose.