YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga

What YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga does

YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga is a 501(c)(3) social services nonprofit founded in 1871 that operates a multi-site community organization spanning Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. The organization runs 8 full-service branches and 80 program sites across 12 counties, employing approximately 1,000 team members and serving a member base measured between approximately 45,000 and 67,600 across recent reporting periods. Annual operating budget is approximately $25M.

The organization's service portfolio is organized around three pillars: youth development (childcare, before- and after-school programs, summer camp, Project Safe Place, Reach & Rise, Miracle League, Sensory Inclusive YMCA), healthy living (aquatics, group exercise, senior fitness, chronic disease prevention programs including the CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program, Blood Pressure Self-Management, and Tai Chi), and social responsibility (Food RX, Blessings in a Backpack, Power Pack). Partnerships with pediatric healthcare, county governments, and school districts extend reach beyond facility walls. Reach is augmented by the YMCA360 national digital content platform for member use.

YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga generates revenue through membership dues, program fees, government grants, and philanthropic contributions. Notable funding sources include a $1.4M annual campaign goal and a $3.5M Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning grant supporting pre-K expansion. The Vision 2028 Capital Campaign targets $15M to serve 50% more people annually by 2028. Membership access is increasingly income-adjusted, with income-based memberships rising from 7% (FY2023) to 16% (FY2025). Leadership includes CEO Baron Herdelin-Doherty and Board Chair Michelle Medlock; the organization was recognized with the 2025 Eagle Award from the Downtown Chattanooga YMCA for impact and partnership.

Name

YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga

Legal name

YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga

Website

https://ymcachattanooga.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1871

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded 1871, operating 8 branches and 80 program sites across 12 counties in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia, delivering youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility programs on a ~$25M annual budget.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Fitness and Wellness Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Sport Complexes & Community Sports Parks (MPAKAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE), Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

Keywords

• Community fitness services
• Youth development programs
• Aquatics and swim lessons
• Afterschool childcare
• Food insecurity programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chattanooga

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual operating budget of $25M funded primarily through membership dues from approximately 67,600 members across 8 facilities. Membership tiers include standard, corporate, and income-based (IBM) memberships.
2. Program Fees: Revenue from program fees including swim lessons, personal training, afterschool care, summer camps, and group exercise classes.
3. Annual Campaign Fundraising: Annual Community Support Campaign (CSC) fundraising goal of $1.4 million and Vision 2028 Capital Campaign targeting $15 million for facility improvements and community expansion.
4. Government Grants: Federal and state grant funding including $3.5 million 21st Century Community Learning Center grant from Georgia Department of Education for North Georgia after school programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization that delivers community fitness, youth development, and social responsibility programs across eight facilities and 80 program sites in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. Its core offerings include membership-based access to fitness facilities, group exercise, personal training, aquatics and swim lessons, afterschool childcare and summer camps, youth intervention (Y-CAP), senior wellness programs, and food security initiatives such as Backpack Blessings, Mobile Market, and Bingo's Market.

Product overview

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga is a comprehensive community wellness organization offering a multi-faceted portfolio of programs and services. The core offerings center on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility initiatives across eight facilities and 80 program sites. Key products include wellness programs (Group Exercise, Personal Training, Nutrition Consultations), aquatics (swim lessons, water fitness, competitive swimming), child care and camps (Y-CAP youth intervention, afterschool care, summer camps), and community food security programs (Backpack Blessings, Mobile Market, Bingo's Market). Digital offerings include the YMCA360 App for virtual/streaming classes and ActivTrax for member engagement. The organization also operates specialty facilities like The PIT Studio (performance training) and provides adaptive programs including Miracle League baseball and specialized boxing training. Membership tiers include standard, income-based, and corporate options, with financial assistance available to ensure accessibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Y-CAP (YMCA Community Action Program): Early intervention and prevention program for at-risk youth ages 10-14 offering counseling, tutoring, mentoring, and boxing programs
• YMCA Camp Ocoee
• Bingo's Market
• Chattanooga Mobile Market
• YMCA360
• LIVESTRONG at the YMCA

Products and services

• Wellness Programs (Group Exercise, Personal Training, Nutrition, Body Composition)
• Healthy Living Programs (LIVESTRONG, Pedaling for Parkinson's, Rock Steady Boxing, Food RX)
• Aquatics (Swim Lessons, Masters Swim, Safety Around Water, Lifeguard Certifications)
• Child Care & Camps (Y-CAP, Afterschool, Summer Day Camps, Child Watch)
• Education & Development (Preschool, Homeschool, Teen & Youth, Certifications)
• Sports & Family Activities (Adult Sports, Youth Sports, Miracle League, Adaptive Programs)
• Community Food Programs (Backpack Blessings, Chattanooga Mobile Market, Bingo's Market, Food RX)
• YMCA360 Mobile App
• ActivTrax Member Fitness Platform
• Massage Therapy Services
• Y-CAP Youth Boxing Club
• YMCA Camp Ocoee
• Pickleball Programs
• Teaching Kitchen (Cooking Classes)
• North Georgia Afterschool Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 417,309 meals served to children in 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hamilton County SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 2025Partnership to build new elementary school on same property as North River Family YMCA, sharing a gymnasium. Scheduled to open fall 2027. Will offer swim lessons, after-school activities, and summer camps. Inspired by YMCA partnership schools model like Norton Commons Elementary in Jefferson County, Kentucky. $48 million construction funded through facilities bond.
• Wellpoint TennesseecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2024Wellpoint Tennessee associates staff a dedicated space at J.A. Henry Community YMCA to assist community members with navigating healthcare resources, accessing social services, and connecting to support they need. This is part of ongoing collaborations between Wellpoint and the J.A. Henry Y to support the Chattanooga community.
• City of ChattanoogacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2024City of Chattanooga Department of Community Development partnership for J.A. Henry Community YMCA facility. Carol Hunter, Administrator, recognized Y's role in fighting hunger and embodying One Chattanooga vision.
• Hamilton County Mayor's OfficeminorOthers · 26 September 2024Partnership with Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp's office for the new elementary school co-location project at North River YMCA site.
• Georgia Department of EducationcoreOthers · 14 August 2024Awarded $3.5 million 21st Century Community Learning Center (CLCC) grant to North Georgia Community YMCA for after school programs at local elementary schools in Catoosa and Walker counties. Grant provides $700,000/year for up to 5 years.
• Catoosa County SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 21st Century Community Learning Centers after school program serving Cherokee Ridge Elementary, Rock Spring Elementary, Rossville Elementary, Saddle Ridge Elementary & Middle School, Tiger Creek Elementary, and West Side Elementary.
• Walker County SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 21st Century Community Learning Centers after school program, serving students to bridge achievement gaps and support whole child development.
• Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning CenterscoreOthersFederal grant program partnership supporting Link@The Y afterschool program serving Lakeview Middle School students with academic enrichment, physical activity, and family engagement.
• Chattanooga 2.0minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Chattanooga 2.0 for Early Learning Readiness program, a free nationwide preschool program designed to help close the achievement gap for at-risk children ages birth-4 years old.
• Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist ChurchminorOthersHost location for North Georgia Community YMCA facility on the church campus at 1735 Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe, GA.
• State of TennesseeminorOthersGrant funding from State of Tennessee for teaching kitchen at J.A. Henry Community YMCA for youth, families, and seniors to learn about healthy cooking and nutrition.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• YMCA of Greater Nashville: Another large Tennessee-based YMCA association operating multiple fitness facilities, youth programs, and community services. Highly comparable in mission, membership model, and program portfolio; competes for state-level funding and corporate partnerships across Tennessee.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga: Local youth development nonprofit directly competing for after-school, summer camp, and youth intervention funding in the same Chattanooga market. Strongest direct competitor for youth program grants and corporate sponsorships.
• YMCA of Metro Atlanta: Major metro YMCA association operating in the same Southeast U.S. region with similar facility footprint, youth development, and community programming. Comparable scale, member base, and mix of fitness, childcare, and social services.
• Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Chattanooga: Community center offering comparable fitness, aquatics, child care, and cultural programming. Direct competitor for membership dues in Chattanooga's middle-class demographic and complementary in serving community programming needs.

Broad incumbents

• Planet Fitness: Low-cost national fitness chain with locations in Chattanooga competing for value-conscious fitness members. Represents the price-point competitive threat to YMCA's membership dues base.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit with comparable mission in after-school care, summer programs, and at-risk youth intervention. Competes for federal grants (21st CCLC) and corporate sponsorships across the broader sector.
• YMCA of the USA (National Office): National umbrella organization for the entire YMCA network. Provides brand standards, shared digital platforms (YMCA360), insurance, training, and government relations that all local associations leverage.

Emerging players

• Chattanooga Area Food Bank: Regional food security nonprofit that operates complementary (and sometimes competing) food distribution programs including Backpack Blessings-equivalent weekend meal initiatives. Adjacent in the food insecurity segment YMCA serves.

Others

• Chattanooga Parks and Recreation: Municipal parks and recreation department offering subsidized fitness, sports leagues, and community programming. Free or low-cost public alternative that competes for the same community programming participants and grant funding pools.

Regional players

• YMCA Camp Ocoee (competitor camps): Regional summer camp competitors such as Camp Lookout, Camp Forest Springs, and other Tennessee/Georgia overnight camps that compete for youth enrollment during summer months. YMCA Camp Ocoee is a comparable direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chattanoogaymca
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQZQlB7cNk2v9HjTJzL4g5w
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChattanoogaYMCA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ymca-of-metropolitan-chattanooga
• Instagraminstagram.com/ymcachattanooga

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Metropolitan Chattanooga