We’ve been strengthening Chicagoland for 164 years—and we’re not done yet!
For over a century and a half, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago has envisioned what a healthier, more equitable Chicagoland could look like—and we haven't stopped building it.
As we celebrate our 164th birthday on March 22, 2022, we invite YOU to invest in our mission to strengthen children, families, and communities!
From creating unforgettable summer camp experiences to stopping cycles of violence through trauma-informed care, every dollar you give helps us deliver innovative, life-shaping programs to the diverse communities we serve.
This year, to ring in 164 years, we’re encouraging our Y family to donate a monthly gift of $16.40—the cost of roughly one cup of coffee weekly—to a scholarship fund at the location of your choosing. Thanks to the generosity of the Ehlert Family Foundation, all monthly gifts of $16.40 and all one-time gifts of $200 will help us unlock a matching gift of up to $20,000!
Scholarship funds throughout our Association ensure that all families, regardless of their personal financial situation, have access to everything their local Y community has to offer.
J’Tia Hart, a mother with two children who’ve attended preschool at the Rauner Family YMCA, said of the Y’s impact: “That is the power of these programs: they develop the whole person, they give you your path, they give you your runway, and they let you launch.”
We at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago are immensely grateful to everyone who has poured into our work of empowering all to strive toward their fullest potential. Help us launch another 164 years of brighter tomorrows by giving back to your community today!