Home / Give y

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 2021-2022 Annual Report. (coming soon)

But our communities are continually evolving and facing new challenges every day. That's why we intend to double our impact by 2025, touching the lives of more than 800,000 people every year. Here's how:

  • We are planning to build a new, full-service YMCA facility, with several expanding neighborhoods being considered as potential locations.
  • All of our existing facilities are scheduled to be enhanced and improved to better serve their communities.
  • 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.
  • We will strengthen our endowment as an 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.

Learn How You Can Give

Give the Gift of Possibility
Donate Now

Did You Know?

We raised over $7.5 million to date in 2023 to provide scholarships and subsidies to fulfill our mission to serve all people regardless of their ability to pay.

Donate Now

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

View IRS 990 Form

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.

Learn About the Annual Campaign

Planned Giving

YOUR GIFT MATTERS

Many friends of the Y choose to help extend their values and the Y’s influence beyond their own lifetimes by gifting some of the assets they have accumulated to the Y’s permanent endowment fund. Donors can direct their gifts support the overall work of that Y or designate them to support an area of major focus that will remain integral to the Y and the community it serves for future generations. A healthy Y capable of making a significant impact in the community is a gift we have received from prior generations. It is a gift we should pass along, in a stronger position, to future generations.

Learn About Planned Giving

FREEWILL

The YMCA of San Diego County has partnered with FreeWill to offer a secure online resource to help you make or update your 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 today.

Learn About FreeWill

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.

YOUR IMPACT IN ACTION

Ethical Practices

charity navigator logoThe YMCA of San Diego County is proud to be ranked as a Four Star Charity by Charity Navigator seven 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 second largest YMCA in the nation.
  • Contributions help to keep fees low and to provide scholarships for youth, families and seniors with an inability to pay.
  • 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

DONATE TO THE YMCA TODAY

Make a Big Impact with a Future Gift
Learn About Planned Giving