The YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County is dedicated to providing the local community with an environment that fosters the values of Caring, Honesty, Responsibility and Respect

In pursuit of its purpose, the Young Men's Christian Association of Ithaca & Tompkins County is a character-building organization, focusing on family and individual participation.  The YMCA assists people in learning the skills and attitudes that will enrich their lives, help them grow, develop, and realize their fullest potential.  The emphasis is on developing the whole person, as embodied in our symbol, the triangle, which signifies the union of the spirit, mind, and body.

The goals of the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County include nurturing self-confidence and self-respect; Christian values for daily living; responsibility to community; respect for family; healthy spirit, mind, and body; intercultural understanding; leadership development; and appreciation for all life.

Invest in Youth Annual Campaign

The Ithaca YMCA conducts a annual campaign each Fall and Spring to provide funding for youth and family scholarships and membership subsidy. The “Invest in Youth” campaign encourages YMCA members and the community to support those individuals who are unable to meet the cost of memberships and programs at the YMCA and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to experience the YMCA. 

The Ithaca YMCA provides nearly $100,000 in support each year, thanks to generous support of the YMCA membership, United Way and the community. Your tax-deductible gifts are important to the mission of the YMCA of including everyone who wishes to participate at the Y, regardless of their ability to meet the cost. Thank you for supporting the YMCA “Invest in Youth” Campaign

Scholarship Program

Thanks to the generous donations from our membership and the community, the YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County is fortunate to be able to offer scholarships to those who are truly unable to meet membership or program costs.  Decisions on the levels of financial assistance are based on a number of factors.  Among the most important are program and membership costs; the number of scholarship applicants; the amount of money raised for this purpose through annual fundraisers and United Way allocations; and the relative level of income and assets of all current applicants.  Subsidies are based on short-terms, and are reviewed on a regular basis.

 

Collaborations

The YMCA is dedicated to being a collaborative organization that works within community to better serve its members as well as the entirety of Ithaca and Tompkins County.  An abbreviated list of local organizations we partner with include:

  • Broome Developmental Disabilities

  • DAP

  • NYS Division for Youth

  • Mental Health Association

  • Unity House

  • Ithaca Youth Bureau

  • Special Olympics

  • BOCES

  • Boy Scouts

  • Girl Scouts

  • Red Cross

  • Home Schoolers Association

  • McCune & Ainslie Physical Therapy

  • Northeast Physical Therapy

  • Learning Web

  • Cornell Judicial Affairs

  • Ithaca College

  • Tompkins County Probation

  • Dryden Schools Senior Night

  • Watkins Glen Senior Night

  • Newfield Schools Senior Night

  • Franziska Racker Center

  • Community Swimming Discount

  • Greater Ithaca Activity Center

  • Big Brother, Big Sister

  • Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints

  • Retired Senior Volunteer Program

  • Lansing Fire Department

  • Tompkins County Sheriff Department

  • Tompkins County Triathlon Club

  • Lansing School District

  • Youth Advocate Program

  • Lakeview Mental Health

  • Family & Children's Service

  • Unity House

  • Glove House