YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit

2015 Annual Report

A better Southeast Michigan. A better us.

Thanks to the support of our partners and donors, 2015 was a year of growth.

We helped thousands more kids realize their potential with the expansion of programs like Summer Day Camp, Girls on the Run, Media Camp, and Special Needs Programming. We opened our doors to more families and individuals by providing over one million dollars in scholarships so kids and families could learn new skills, connect in safe spaces, be inspired to make better choices, and live healthier lives.

Our growth in 2015 wasn’t strictly an increase in the amount of kids and families we served—we increased our capacity by forming new partnerships with community organizations and with state and local governments. More than 1 in 4 children in Metropolitan Detroit are at risk of hunger, but our partnerships with Samaritan Homes, Gleaners, and local school districts helped us lessen food insecurity in our neighborhoods by distributing over 200,000 healthy meals and snacks.

We believe strong communities are possible only when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. Together, the support of our donors, volunteers, and members brings our cause to life and builds a brighter future.

Thank you for your continued support of our YMCA and the individuals and families we serve.

James M. Nicholson
53rd Board Chair, YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit

Scott Landry
13th President and CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit


  • In 2015, we secured over $3.5 million in grants and contributions to give those in need a helping hand.

  • We partnered with the Department of the Interior coordinate efforts and resources to get children outside in public spaces and encourage them to volunteer. We celebrated the new partnership with a day-long service project cleaning up the Dequindre Cut.

  • Through YMCA Resident Camping, more children and young adults from across the state had positive, meaningful experiences in Michigan’s great outdoors. With continued, steady growth in both our overnight and day camp programs, more kids are discovering their best selves, as well as creating positive, lifelong memories at YMCA Camp Nissokone and Camp Ohiyesa.

  • 1,100 kids
    adopted healthier habits in our Before and Afterschool programs. Our HEPA (Healthy Eating and Physical Activity) standards ensure that kids eat wholesome snacks and participate in at least 30 minutes of curriculum-based physical activity.

  • The Downriver Family YMCA partnered with the City of Southgate to provide engaging athletic activities to hundreds of children in the Southgate community.

  • 2015 Youth Development Stories

  • The Birmingham Family YMCA provided caring opportunities for those with special needs to lead healthier lives through adaptive fitness programs.

  • 800 backpacks filled with school supplies were given to school-age children from Pontiac and the surrounding communities with the help of our North Oakland Family YMCA

  • Our South Oakland YMCA launched Detroit Swims in 2015, teaching 83 girls and boys swim lessons and water safety by partnering with Oak Park public schools. The South Oakland Y also launched an apartment outreach program, called Water Safety Outreach, in which the Y partnered with a local apartment complex to teach 15 children water safety and their parents basic CPR and life saving skills.

  • Members of the Heritage Club provide financial stability for the Y either through a current gift or an estate plan to the YMCA Endowment Fund.
    These generous contributions will support the Y for generations to come. We can’t thank the Heritage Club members enough for their generosity and vote of confidence in the bright future of the Y.

  • Thanks to the help of Y members and community supporters, our Macomb Family YMCA turned an underutilized outdoor space into a vibrant 725-square-foot community garden. Members enjoyed garden fresh produce throughout the summer and our day campers learned valuable lessons about health, nutrition, and where their food comes from.


  • Last summer, the Livonia Y served 65 students for four weeks from Camp Emerson, a Title 1 school program, at no cost to participants. The funds raised to support the program came from donations in the community. The Livonia Y was able to pick the students up from Emerson Schools and bus them to the Livonia YMCA in the afternoon to have some fun summer camp experiences at the Y.


  • We engaged over 1,500 volunteers giving our neighbors the opportunity to improve their communities through service as board members, mentors, painters, coaches, tutors and more.

  • 2015 Healthy Living Stories

  • Our Lakeshore Family YMCA gave hundreds of children the best summer ever and provided quality, safe and affordable childcare to working families.

  • Our Plymouth Family YMCA provided teens with the opportunity to serve our local community. Through the Youth Volunteer Corps, the Y is cultivating values that lead to positive behaviors, leadership in our communities, and service for a lifetime.

  • 18 of our I Rise families found a better job or advanced their careers with the help of a personal Y Life Coach This work is improving the lives of over 30 children.

  • Our Metro Youth YMCA focused on youth development by serving over 11 schools and communities with after-school enrichment programs, as well as preparing over 100 teens with life skills through its college and career prep program, I Can Achieve.

  • In 2015 alone, over 1,100 youth in Detroit learned to be safe around water in Detroit Swims at our Boll Family YMCA.

  • In addition to arts education, Y Arts hosted 29 productions in the Marlene Boll Theatre & 12 art exhibits showcasing emerging Detroit artists.

  • Our Farmington Family YMCA immersed STEM into its day camps by introducing students to robotics and makerspaces, allowing them to learn science, technology, engineering and math concepts through fun, self-guided projects.

  • Chairman’s Club donors strengthen the Y by giving an annual campaign gift of $1,000 or more.
    The Y uses these generous donations to give everyone an opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Chairman’s Club members’ contributions help the Y create meaningful, enduring impact right here in our community.


  • 400 kids gained a greater appreciation of art with local professional artists as part of Y Arts in-school and after-school programs. In 2015, Y Arts broadened its reach considerably by expanding its YMCA branch offerings beyond the Boll Family YMCA to engage youth in collaboration with five additional Y branches.

  • 2015 Social Responsibility Stories

  • 210,000 USDA/HEPA compliant meals and snacks were served to metro Detroit kids that valued over $471,000.

  • The Carls Family YMCA rolled out a new initiative to fund scholarships for first responders and their families.

  • We implemented member engagement software so that those who turn to the Y can now easily and conveniently sign up for activities to lead better lives.

  • Girls on the Run and STRIDE helped nurture the self-esteem of 4,400 kids by teaching them life lessons of accomplishments and belonging through running and a 5K race.

Operating Activities
for the period ended December 31, 2015

Support & Revenue
Contributions & Grants $3,830,390
Membership Dues & Program Fees 28,282,623
Educational Services 5,759,887
Other 1,129,142
Total Operating Revenue 39,002,042

Expense
Youth Development $9,339,145
Healthy Living 15,625,101
Social Responsibility 9,003,704
Management 3,022,016
Fundraising 814,259
Total Operating Expense 37,804,226

Net Income from Operating Activities: 1,197,816

Non Operating Activities
for the period ended December 31, 2015
Capital & Other Contributions $165,719
Investment Activity (706,325)
Interest Expense (536,839)
Depreciation Expense (2,863,944)
Other (308,687)
Net Loss from Non Operating Activities (4,250,076)

Net Income/(Loss): (3,052,260)