Our Cause
The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, one of the first YMCAs in the United States, founded in 1852, is one of the largest social service agencies serving residents in Washington, D.C., southern Maryland, and northern Virginia. Our mission is to foster the spiritual, mental, and physical development of individuals, families, and communities according to the ideals of inclusiveness, equality, and mutual respect for all.
Our Impact
- In 2022, more than 40,000 members used the offerings of our six full-service YMCA branches, including their cardio and strength training equipment, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts, group exercise classes, and personal trainers; more than 10,000 youth participated in our Y summer day camps; more than 8,000 children, youth, and adults learned to swim or swam on a Y team; more than 1,000 children and youth were in our Y preschool and afterschool programs; and more than 1,000 youth attended Y resident camp.
- YMCA Youth and Family Services (YFS) provides mental health counseling and therapy, mentoring, case management services, afterschool homework help and enrichment activities, and prevention and intervention programming to help elementary and middle school students succeed academically and grow socially. In 2022, YFS served nearly 3,500 Montgomery County youth and members of their families.
- The YMCA’s Fit & Well Seniors program, which served more than 20,000 older adults in 2022, decreases isolation among District residents and provides them with a virtual and in-person wellness-focused outlet for socialization in an exercise environment. The Y’s Community Health and Wellness Department, which served more than 5,000 youth and adults in 2022, offers virtual and in-person culinary and nutrition classes as well as diabetes prevention and blood pressure self-monitoring classes. In the District and Arlington County, the YMCA DC Youth and Government and YMCA Model General Assembly Programs, respectively, help teenagers make positive changes in their communities through civic engagement.
- The YMCA never turns anyone away due to their inability to pay. Financial assistance is available to individuals and families who otherwise cannot afford to participate in our programs. In 2022, the Y distributed almost $500,000 in assistance to more than 1,000 individuals and families.
*Ranges calculated below based on payroll deductions from 24-26 total paychecks in a year.
How Your Workplace Donations & Matching Gifts Make a Difference:
$100 - $250
Total Annual Pledge
($5 - $10 per pay period)
$250 - $650
Total Annual Pledge
($15 - $25 per pay period)
$780 - $1300
Total Annual Pledge
($30 - $50 per pay period)
$1,300 provides a month of Y Child Care for a preschooler.
Our Stories
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Read ArticleBoost This Organization's Impact Through Cause Funds
Designed to empower donors and employers to support America's Charities nonprofit members through workplace giving or as a stand-alone donation option, each fund focuses on a specific cause and features a selection of vetted America's Charities members working directly to address that cause.
Each donation to a fund is distributed equally between the America’s Charities nonprofit members featured in the fund. By supporting one or more of these funds, individuals and corporations alike can make a direct, meaningful difference.
You can help support this member charity through the following cause funds:
Recreation, Sports, Leisure, and Athletics
From recreational and sports organizations to related initiatives, numerous members of America’s Charities are actively engaged in programs aimed at promoting active lifestyles, leisure, and athletic opportunities. If you’re passionate about encouraging physical activity and its benefits, consider contributing to this fund.