How We Give Back
Here at the YMCA of San Diego County, one of the top non-profit organizations in the country, our cause is strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
By empowering everyday people who are impassioned about helping their community, we are able to make positive personal and societal changes that stand the test of time.
Our team, along with the support of our amazing donors and volunteers, works hard to nuture our communities’ youth by providing them and their families the opportunity to learn, grow, and be healthy in a safe and supportive environment — regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.
Our Strategic Vision for the Future
Currently, almost 400,000 people participate in our programs or utilize our services — that’s nearly one in every eight San Diegans! Learn more about our efforts in our 2024-2025 Impact Report.
But our communities are continually evolving and facing new challenges every day. With your help, the funds we raise will ensure that everyone in San Diego has the chance to be healthy, confident, connected and secure — both now and into the future. Here’s how:
- The Annual Campaigns we hold each year will help provide access to these facilities and programs by ensuring they are affordable and available to the most vulnerable populations in San Diego.
- Several of our YMCA branches are conducting Capital Campaigns to enhance their campus and improve their reach to better serve their communities.
- Each year, our Endowment Fund strengthens and adds investment in the future for scholarships, facilities and more.
With your help, the funds we raise will ensure that everyone in San Diego has the chance to be healthy, confident, connected and secure — both now and into the future.
Did you Know?
Last year’s Annual Campaign raised $8.4M to fulfill our mission to serve all individuals regardless of their ability to pay.
We Are a Nonprofit Organization
The YMCA of San Diego County is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Tax ID: #95-2039198
Annual Campaign
Our Annual Campaign is more than a fundraising vehicle — it brings together staff at all levels, committed volunteers, Y members, and donors to pursue a common objective:
Ensuring the Y has the resources to strengthen the community and make an enduring impact in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
A year-round approach to annual fundraising helps us deliver on our cause by fostering a culture of philanthropy, building stronger community partnerships, and raising more charitable funds to make mission impact possible.
My family really benefits from all that the YMCA has to offer. My middle daughter has been in therapy for the past six months due to depression and anxiety onset by her father's first deployment. Using the gym and interacting with other children her age positively contribute to her physical and mental health. Our entire family has improved since coming to the Y.
Planned Giving
Your Gift Matters
Many supporters of the Y choose to make a lasting impact by gifting appreciated assets and/or including the YMCA in their estate plans. These planned gifts — often directed to our permanent endowment — help ensure that the Y’s mission continues to thrive for generations to come. Whether you want to support the Y’s overall work or focus on a specific program or Y branch that’s close to your heart, your gift becomes part of a legacy that strengthens our community well into the future. Just as we benefit today from the generosity of those who came before us, we have the opportunity to pass on an even stronger Y to those who follow.
Freewill
The YMCA of San Diego County has partnered with FreeWill to offer a secure online resource to help you make or update your Revocable Living Trust or Will in just 20 minutes for free. Using this tool, you can include a gift to the YMCA of San Diego County in your plans to build a legacy supporting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y and FreeWill are here to help you protect the people and causes you love at no cost – create your free will or trust today.
The Impact of Your Investment
Our Association-led Annual Campaign focuses on supporting our highest-need communities throughout San Diego County. When you invest in the Y, your dollars will directly benefit kids and families in under-served communities.
Ethical Practices
The YMCA of San Diego County is proud to be ranked as a Four-Star Charity by Charity Navigator 11 years in a row. Less than 4% of nonprofits nationwide receive this recognition.
Receiving four out of a possible four stars (the highest ranking possible) means the YMCA of San Diego County executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way that exceeds the industry standard and outperforms most charities in financial efficiency and capacity, while adhering to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities.
Charity Navigator is an independent nonprofit organization that rates other nonprofits to provide clear, objective and reliable assessments of their financial health.
Financial Facts
- The YMCA of San Diego County is the largest YMCA association in the nation.
- Contributions help to keep fees low, subsidize valuable programming, and to provide scholarships for youth, families and seniors who are facing financial barriers.
- Government grants are primarily utilized to fund special projects conducted by our Youth and Family Services Department and our Childcare Resource Service Department.
- Fundraising and administration costs consistently range from 6% to 8%, making our organization one of the most efficient non-profits in the nation.
- The YMCA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
- Tax ID: #95-2039198