Akron Area YMCA
The Akron Area YMCA is a 155-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating six membership branches, six childcare centers, and Camp Y-Noah across Summit, Medina, and Portage counties in Ohio, serving 54,837 members with fitness, aquatics, youth development, and camp programs on a sliding-scale membership model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1870
- HeadquartersAkron, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Akron Area YMCA does
The Akron Area YMCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1870 and headquartered at 50 S. Main Street in Akron, Ohio, serving Summit, Medina, and Portage counties through six membership branches (Firestone Park, Green Family, Kohl Family, Lake Anna, Riverfront, and Wadsworth), six childcare centers, Camp Y-Noah (a 300+ acre overnight and day camp in Green Township), and the Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs. In 2025 the organization reported 836 employees, 54,837 members and participants, and over one million branch visits, delivering adult fitness, swimming, youth sports, early childhood education, before/after-school care (THRIVE), and aquatics programming including the free Safety Around Water drowning-prevention program.
The operating stack centers on the Y360 member management system for access, scheduling, and engagement, with select branches offering 24/7 keycard or biometric facility access. Revenue is generated through a mix of recurring membership dues (monthly or annual, with sliding-scale pricing), program fees for swim lessons, personal training, sports leagues, and camps, Annual Campaign charitable contributions (846 donors in 2025), and special-event fundraising such as the Grape Falls & Craft Brews event. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer at the branch level, supplemented by community-outreach partnerships with schools, hospitals, and municipalities. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Russell Holmes and underwent a CEO transition in 2026 from Jill Kolesar (the first female President/CEO, appointed 2016) to Tiffany McGee.
Akron Area YMCA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Akron Area YMCA
- Legal name
- Akron Area YMCA
- Website
- https://akronymca.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1870
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- The Akron Area YMCA is a 155-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating six membership branches, six childcare centers, and Camp Y-Noah across Summit, Medina, and Portage counties in Ohio, serving 54,837 members with fitness, aquatics, youth development, and camp programs on a sliding-scale membership model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Akron Area YMCA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Recreation and Youth Services
- NAICS
- Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA), Group Camping & Scout Camps (THAGAOAI)
Keywords
Where Akron Area YMCA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Akron
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
Akron Area YMCA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual or monthly membership fees for individuals and families. Offers sliding scale pricing based on income through Annual Campaign Financial Assistance Program.
- Program Fees: Fees for specialized programs including swim lessons, sports leagues, childcare, summer camps, and personal training. Some programs require additional fees beyond standard membership.
- Annual Campaign / Donations: Charitable contributions and fundraising events supporting financial assistance programs and capital improvements. 846 donors in 2025.
- Special Events: Revenue from events like Grape Falls & Craft Brews and Fore the Kids Golf Outing that support the Annual Campaign Fund.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Family/Youth Membership with Child Watch |
| Subscription | Monthly | Adult Membership with Child Watch (under 3) |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Membership Payment |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Draft Payment |
| Subscription | Monthly | Senior and Student Discounts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Akron Area YMCA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Akron Area YMCA operates six membership branches and multiple childcare centers and camps across Summit, Medina, and Portage counties, selling monthly/annual memberships that grant access to fitness facilities, group exercise classes, pools, and child watch services. It also delivers fee-based programs including swim lessons, swim teams, youth sports, personal training, weight loss programs, before- and after-school care, preschool, and overnight/day camps such as Camp Y-Noah and Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs.
Product overview
The Akron Area YMCA operates as a multi-branch nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of health, wellness, and youth development programs. The core offerings include adult fitness and wellness programs (Group Exercise, Personal Training, Weight Loss Program), aquatic programming (Swim Lessons, Swim Teams, Safety Around Water), and extensive youth development services (Youth Sports, Child Care, Summer Camps). The organization manages six membership branches across Summit, Medina, and Portage counties, plus Camp Y-Noah and the Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs. The Y360 membership program provides integrated access to fitness facilities, group classes, and child watch services across all locations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Camp Y-Noah: The organization's overnight and day camp facility located on 300+ acres in Green Township, Ohio. Founded in 1930, it offers summer camp, outdoor education, equestrian programs, and year-round activities.
- Y360
- Safety Around Water
- THRIVE
Products and services
- Y360 Membership Comprehensive subscription membership granting access to all six membership branches, group fitness classes, pools, child watch (free for Family/Youth memberships), and 24/7 facility access at select branches. Available with monthly draft or annual payment options, plus sliding-scale and senior/student discounts.
- Membership Branches (Six Locations) Six member access branches serving Summit, Medina, and Portage counties: Firestone Park YMCA, Green Family YMCA, Kohl Family YMCA, Lake Anna YMCA, Riverfront YMCA, and Wadsworth YMCA, providing fitness centers, pools, group exercise, and child watch.
- Adult Fitness Programs Fitness programming for adults including Group Exercise classes (Zumba, Toning, Boot Camp), Active Older Adults programming, and Personal Training services across branch locations.
- Weight Loss Program Wellness program within the Wellness category designed to help members achieve weight loss and other health goals, including documented member outcomes such as 65+ pound, 100+ pound, and 277-pound combined weight loss.
- Swimming Programs (Swim Lessons, Swim Teams, Water Exercise) Aquatic programming for all ages including swim lessons, competitive swim teams, water exercise classes, and open swim, offered across branches with pools. 9,394 swim lessons taught in 2025.
- Safety Around Water Drowning prevention program providing free water safety instruction to children. 940 children completed the program in 2025.
- Youth and Family Programming (Youth Sports, Youth Specialty Classes, Out of School Time / THRIVE) Youth development programming including youth sports leagues (2,587 athletes in 2025), youth specialty classes, and Out of School Time program THRIVE using CATCH and other evidence-based curricula.
- Child Care Programs (Infant & Toddlers, Preschool, Before and After School, Summer Day Camp) Licensed early childhood care and education services at six centers (Cascade Village, Family Enrichment Center, Hartz, Hope, Longwood, Westminster), including infant/toddler care, preschool, before- and after-school care, and summer day camp.
- Camp Y-Noah Overnight and day camp on 300+ acres in Green Township on East Reservoir, including traditional camp activities, equestrian center, and outdoor education. 7,653 friends welcomed in 2025 across Day Camp, Overnight Camp, Outdoor Education, and Equestrian programs.
- Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs Specialized camp programming for children with disabilities, operated by the Akron Area YMCA in partnership with the Akron Rotary Club at Rex Lake (owned by Rotary Club of Akron since 1923).
Quantifiable outcome
- 54,837 members served in 2025
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Akron Area YMCA
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Akron Area YMCA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Akron Area YMCA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of AkroncorePartnership provides student parents with 75% subsidized child care tuition. College students currently enrolled and caring for families receive significant break in child care costs.
- Akron Children's HospitalcoreStrategic partnership with Akron Children's Hospital mentioned in Jill Kolesar's leadership tenure achievements.
- Summit County CourtscoreStrategic partnership with Summit County Courts mentioned in Jill Kolesar's leadership tenure achievements.
- Akron ZoominorAkron Zoo participated in Rosa Parks Tour 2025, hosting students at new Black History Exhibit. Jessica Skelnar, MBA Grants Specialist, led educational tour.
- Rooted in Christ ChurchminorHosted Rosa Parks Tour 2025 launch with healthy breakfast for participating students.
- Wadsworth Public SchoolscoreFive partner collaboration including YMCA, Wadsworth Public Schools, City of Wadsworth, Summa Health System, and Wadsworth Library for Wadsworth YMCA.
- Barberton Community FoundationcoreKey collaborative partner in Lake Anna YMCA development in 2007, along with City of Barberton and Barberton Citizen's Hospital.
- Summa Health SystemcoreMajor strategic partnership for Green Family YMCA opened in 2000. Collaboration continued with $1.8M expansion in 2006 and partnership on University Park YMCA in 2011. Summa Health also partnered on Wadsworth YMCA in 2013.
- Akron Rotary ClubcoreYMCA operates programs at Rotary Camp for Children With Special Needs on Rex Lake, owned by Rotary Club of Akron since 1923.
- Florence Crittenden Home, First Presbyterian Church, United WaycoreCollaborative partners in founding Hope Child Care Center in 1972, the YMCA's first Child Care Center.
- City of Akron (City Hall, Fire Department)coreCity of Akron partners with YMCA for Rosa Parks Tour 2025 educational program for students. Fire Department Station 12 participated in tour. City Hall staff including Youth Opportunities Strategist and DEI Director engaged with students.
Scale indicators15 records
Akron Area YMCA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Greater Cleveland YMCA: Nearby Ohio-based multi-branch YMCA association operating fitness, childcare, and camping programs under the same national YMCA umbrella. Most directly comparable peer on mission, member model, and product mix.
- YMCA of Greater Columbus: Ohio-based multi-branch YMCA serving central Ohio with fitness, swim, youth sports, and camp operations. Comparable operating model and program mix to Akron Area YMCA.
- Jewish Community Center of Akron (JCC): Local non-profit community center offering membership-based fitness, aquatics, youth programs, and cultural programming in the same Northeast Ohio service area. Closest non-YMCA mission-aligned peer.
Broad incumbents
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National non-profit operating membership-based youth development clubs with similar mission-aligned programming. Operates in the same local service geographies and competes for charitable funding and family enrollment.
- Life Time Fitness: Large for-profit fitness operator offering premium membership clubs with fitness, swim, youth programming, and family amenities. Competes for the same dual-income family segment that the Akron YMCA serves.
- Planet Fitness: Largest low-cost fitness chain in the United States with locations across Northeast Ohio. Disrupts the budget-conscious individual member segment that the YMCA also serves through its sliding-scale pricing.
Others
- YMCA of the USA: National governing body for U.S. YMCAs, providing brand standards, programming frameworks, and operational support that all independent YMCA associations, including Akron Area YMCA, operate under.
- Akron Children's Hospital: Strategic health system partner of Akron Area YMCA for youth health initiatives and drowning prevention. An institutional ally rather than a competitor, but a key benchmark for children's health programming in the same service area.
- Summa Health System: Major strategic partner co-developing Green Family YMCA and Wadsworth YMCA branches since 2000. Long-standing relationship that has produced 3 joint facilities and represents an embedded healthcare-recreation collaboration model.
Regional players
- YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit: Multi-branch YMCA association serving the Detroit metro area with similar fitness, childcare, and camp operations. Comparable size and industrial-Midwest community context, though in a different regional market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Akron Area YMCA social profiles
Digital presenceAkron Area YMCA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Akron Area YMCA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Akron Area YMCA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Akron Area YMCA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Akron Area YMCA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Akron Area YMCA
What does Akron Area YMCA do?
The Akron Area YMCA operates six membership branches and multiple childcare centers and camps across Summit, Medina, and Portage counties, selling monthly/annual memberships that grant access to fitness facilities, group exercise classes, pools, and child watch services. It also delivers fee-based programs including swim lessons, swim teams, youth sports, personal training, weight loss programs, before- and after-school care, preschool, and overnight/day camps such as Camp Y-Noah and Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs.
Is Akron Area YMCA a public or private company?
Akron Area YMCA is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Akron Area YMCA founded?
Akron Area YMCA was founded in 1870. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Akron Area YMCA based?
Akron Area YMCA is headquartered in Akron, United States, in the North America region.
How does Akron Area YMCA make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are program Fees, annual Campaign / Donations and special Events.
Who are Akron Area YMCA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Greater Cleveland YMCA, YMCA of Greater Columbus and Jewish Community Center of Akron (JCC). Broad incumbents are Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Life Time Fitness and Planet Fitness. Others are YMCA of the USA, Akron Children's Hospital and Summa Health System. YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit is listed as a regional player.
Does Akron Area YMCA have an API?
No public API is recorded for Akron Area YMCA.
What industry is Akron Area YMCA in?
Akron Area YMCA's product category is Community Recreation and Youth Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMALAA, Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports), with a secondary code of MPAKAJAA, Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps). Its NAICS code is 713940 and its SIC code is 7997.