YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South

What YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South does

YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization founded in 1855, operating 12+ fitness branch locations and 170+ childcare sites across Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. It serves individuals, families, and seniors through subscription fitness memberships (Household, Individual, Youth, Senior tiers priced $33-$119/month), childcare and early learning programs, youth development programs (Y-CAP, Y Achievers, Youth in Government with 4,700+ participants statewide), workforce development (Path to Purpose, W.O.R.C. manufacturing certification serving counties across three states), food security initiatives (Summer Food Program, Y on the Fly mobile units), and adaptive fitness (Exceptional Access). The organization's product surface spans core fitness (group exercise, swim lessons, Reformer Pilates, personal training, virtual LesMills workouts), specialized programs (Jr. StreetKings roller hockey, Arlington basketball, lifeguard certification), and community-based service delivery through partner networks of schools, churches, libraries, and community centers.

The business model combines recurring membership dues and program fees (primary revenue), employer-sponsored corporate memberships, grants and donations from foundations and corporate partners (Comcast, UnitedHealthcare, Maddox Foundation), and insurance channel partnerships (Silver & Fit via Cigna/BCBS, RenewActive via UnitedHealthcare/Optum) that enable Medicare-eligible seniors to access memberships. Distribution operates through 12 owned physical branches plus an online registration portal (my.ymcamemphis.org), community-based meal sites (25+ community centers, 18+ libraries), and two mobile Y on the Fly units. Go-to-market is hybrid: direct-to-consumer membership sales at branch Welcome Centers supplemented by community-led outreach through partner institutions.

Strategic positioning centers on holistic wellness across spirit, mind, and body, enabled by 170 years of brand equity in Memphis and integration with anchor partners including Ford Motor Company (Blue Oval City YMCA under development), Church Health (Church Health YMCA), United Way of the Mid-South, and a multi-agency Y-CAP alliance. Two new facilities are in development (Blue Oval City in Haywood County, TN; Dan Maddox Family YMCA in Nesbit, MS via USDA Rural Development funding), signaling continued geographic expansion across the Mid-South.

Name

YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South

Legal name

YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South

Website

https://ymcamemphis.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1855

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating 12+ fitness branches and 170+ childcare sites across Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, serving individuals, families, and seniors through memberships, youth development, workforce training, and food security programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Fitness and Recreation

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Community fitness centers
• Youth development programs
• Childcare and daycare
• Membership fitness clubs
• Workforce development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Monthly or annual membership fees collected via automatic bank draft or credit card. Primary revenue driver. Membership types include Household ($79/month), Individual ($53/month), Senior ($53/month), Senior Couple ($79/month), and Household Plus One/Two expanded plans.
2. Program Fees: Fees for programs including personal training, swim lessons, sports leagues, summer camp, before/after school care, youth fitness classes, and specialty programs like Women on Weights and Core Reformer Pilates.
3. Corporate Memberships: Employer-subsidized corporate membership plans. Employers can choose to pay 100% of membership costs, subsidize a portion with employee payroll deduction, or offer payroll deduction-only options.
4. Grants and Donations: The YMCA receives grants from foundations and corporations (e.g., Comcast $30,000 digital skills grant, Maddox Foundation $200,000 for Jr. StreetKings, UnitedHealthcare $90,000 for Y on the Fly), as well as individual donations to support community programs.
5. Insurance Partnerships: Partnerships with Silver & Fit (Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield) and RenewActive (UnitedHealthcare, Optum) allow Medicare-eligible members to access YMCA memberships covered by their insurance plans.
6. Ancillary Services: Fees for day passes (Summer Guest Pass: Adult $27, Youth $20), Core Reformer Pilates class passes ($30-$360), personal training sessions, and the Women on Weights 6-week program ($250).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South operates 12 physical branch locations across Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, selling tiered fitness memberships (Household, Individual, Youth, Senior, Senior Couple, Household Plus) that grant access to fitness centers, indoor/outdoor pools, group exercise classes, and complimentary YPlay childcare. Beyond core fitness memberships, the organization delivers personal training, swim lessons, youth sports leagues, before/after school care, summer camp, workforce development, food security programs, and youth development initiatives including Y-CAP, Y Achievers, and Youth in Government. Revenue is generated through recurring monthly membership dues, program fees, corporate membership sales, insurance partnerships (Silver & Fit, RenewActive), grants, and charitable donations.

Product overview

YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South operates as a multi-location fitness and community services organization offering a unified membership platform with access to 12+ branches across Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. The core offering centers on fitness memberships (Household, Individual, Youth, Senior plans) providing gym access, group exercise classes, pools, and child care. The product portfolio extends through add-on modules including Personal Training, Reformer Pilates Studio, and Express Virtual Workouts (LesMills), alongside youth and community programs such as swim lessons, childcare, Y-CAP, Y Achievers, Youth in Government, and workforce development (Path to Purpose). The YMCA also operates food security programs and sports leagues including youth basketball and roller hockey. The organization functions as a traditional nonprofit health club with no API or third-party integration capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Path to Purpose: Workforce development initiative providing job training, career development, work life support, and trade skills development to help individuals and families achieve stability and success.
• Jr. StreetKings Youth Roller Hockey League
• Y-CAP
• Y Achievers
• Youth In Government
• Y on the Fly
• YMCA Summer Food Program

Products and services

• YMCA Membership Programs
• Personal Training / Fit Crew
• Group Exercise Classes
• Core Reformer Pilates Studio
• Women on Weights
• Swim Lessons
• Path to Purpose (Workforce Development)
• Childcare / Before & After School Care
• Y-CAP
• Y Achievers
• Youth in Government
• YMCA Summer Food Program
• Lifeguard Training & Certification
• Corporate Membership
• YMCA Jr. StreetKings Youth Roller Hockey League
• Arlington Youth Basketball
• Express Workouts (LesMills Virtual)
• Exceptional Access (Adaptive Fitness)
• Get Outside Fitness @ Shelby Farms Park
• Future Ready: Digital Skills for Tomorrow's Workforce

Quantifiable outcome

• 77% of families served by Y-CAP are low-income; 70% of enrolled youth demonstrated improved use of core values; 75% showed improved behavior choices.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ford Motor CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025A YMCA center is being developed at Ford's Blue Oval City manufacturing site in Haywood County, TN. This new YMCA facility will serve the Ford workforce and surrounding community, providing fitness and wellness services integrated with Ford's major manufacturing operation.
• Silver & Fit (Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance partnership allowing Medicare-eligible individuals to access YMCA memberships covered by their Silver & Fit insurance plan. Members can sign up at any YMCA location by consulting their insurance provider.
• RenewActive (UnitedHealthcare, Optum)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance partnership allowing Medicare-eligible individuals to access YMCA memberships covered by their RenewActive plan. Members can sign up at any YMCA location by consulting their insurance provider.
• Exceptional AccessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership bringing adaptive fitness programs to YMCA locations. Exceptional Access offers science-based one-on-one and group training programs designed for children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities. Free trial classes offered at Schilling Farms YMCA; one-on-one sessions available at additional locations.
• Baptist Memorial Health CareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaptist Memorial Health Care is the presenting sponsor of the Get Outside Fitness program at Shelby Farms Park. The outdoor fitness program runs May–October, offering free community yoga, Pilates, Line Dancing, and Kids' Yoga classes at the Hyde Park Visitor Center.
• City of HernandominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the City of Hernando to operate and deliver the Jr. StreetKings Roller Hockey Program. Mayor Chip Johnson expressed excitement about the partnership, noting his own history with the YMCA and hopes for a long relationship. The city is providing infrastructure support at the Hernando Civic Center.
• Church HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch Health YMCA is operated in partnership with Church Health at Crosstown Concourse. The Well at Church Health provides YPlay childcare for household members at no additional cost on the first floor of Crosstown Concourse, integrating YMCA membership with Church Health's healthcare services.
• United Way of the Mid-SouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way of the Mid-South is a key supporter of the YMCA and Y-CAP program. Listed as a Y-CAP alliance partner and appears on the YMCA website footer. The United Way logo is displayed indicating ongoing partnership and mutual support.
• Y-CAP Alliance PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerY-CAP has established alliances with Arts Memphis, Audubon Park Baptist Church, Literacy Mid-South, Memphis/Shelby Crime Commission, Mid-South Food Bank, Operation Safe Community, Revolutions Community Bicycle Shop, and United Way of the Mid-South. These partnerships support referral networks and wraparound services for at-risk youth.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• LA Fitness: Mid-priced commercial fitness chain with broad amenity offering including pools and group classes. Competes directly with YMCA on full-service family memberships.
• Life Time Fitness: National premium fitness chain operating large multi-amenity clubs with pools, group classes, childcare, and family programming. Comparable membership product but commercial (vs. nonprofit) operator.
• Equinox Fitness: Premium commercial fitness club chain. Competes for higher-income household members the YMCA also serves through its premium membership tiers.
• Planet Fitness: Largest low-cost commercial gym chain in the US. Competes on price point for the same household membership demographic that the YMCA targets.

Direct peers

• YMCA of Greater Nashville: Another regional YMCA association operating a comparable multi-branch membership fitness, youth development, and community services model in Tennessee. Closest peer given geographic and operational similarity.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth-development nonprofit offering after-school programs, sports leagues, and teen services. Mission overlap is high; differs in its narrower focus on youth vs. whole-family membership.
• YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta: Major Southeast YMCA association with multiple branches, youth programs, childcare, and community wellness services comparable to YMCA Memphis in scale and mission.
• Memphis Jewish Community Center: Local Memphis community center offering fitness facilities, aquatics, youth programs, and cultural programming. Closest geographic peer with overlapping family/youth programming model.

Others

• Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee: Regional nonprofit operator with workforce development, youth programs, and community services — adjacent peer sharing mission overlap and similar funding mix (grants, fees, donations).
• United Way of the Mid-South: Regional nonprofit umbrella/funding organization and current YMCA partner. Adjacent rather than directly competing; useful reference for comparable community-services scale and grant access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/YMCAMemphis
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MemphisYMCA
• Facebookfacebook.com/YMCAMemphis
• Instagraminstagram.com/ymcamemphis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South