Y's Men International

What Y's Men International does

Y's Men International (YMI), legally the International Association of Y's Men's Clubs, is a non-profit international service organization founded in 1922 in Switzerland and headquartered in Geneva. Its functional purpose is to support the worldwide YMCA movement and the local communities in which YMCA operates, through a federated network of affiliated clubs organized hierarchically into districts, regions, and areas across 82+ countries. YMI delivers value via fellowship, community service, youth development, and international exchange programs.

The organization's core offerings include the International Convention series (the 75th edition scheduled for Penang in September 2026), a monthly digital publication (YMI World), and a portfolio of service and exchange programs: the Alexander Support Fund (YMCA staff training), Building Fellowship (cross-border cultural exchange), Time of Fast (international humanitarian projects aligned with the UN SDGs), Roll Back Malaria (partnership with The Global Fund), Week4Waste (environmental initiative), Endowment Fund, and youth programs (iGo internships, STEP exchange, International Youth Convocation). Its technology stack is conventional: a WordPress-based website (ysmen.org) with Google Analytics, reCAPTCHA, YouTube embeds, and Google Maps; event registration via Cvent; and member access through the iAYMC IMIS Cloud portal. No AI/ML capabilities are evident.

YMI's business model is non-commercial and funded through three primary streams: recurring membership dues collected via local clubs, tiered voluntary contributions to endowment and program funds (CHF 50–5,000+ tiers), and one-time convention registration fees (USD 495–600). Approximately 90% of local club support stays in the originating community, with ~US$4 million of total community/YMCA support estimated annually flowing through clubs. The International Headquarters in Geneva is staffed by 37 employees; revenue and detailed financials are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Y's Men International

Legal name

International Association of Y's Men's Clubs

Website

https://ysmen.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Y's Men International is a Switzerland-based non-profit service organization founded in 1922 that supports the worldwide YMCA through a federated network of affiliated clubs across 82+ countries, delivering fellowship, community service, youth exchange, and humanitarian programs funded by membership dues and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues collected from club members worldwide through local clubs. Dues support the International Headquarters operations and global programmes.
2. Donations and Contributions: Voluntary donations to various programmes including Time of Fast, Endowment Fund, Building Fellowship, Alexander Support Fund, and Roll Back Malaria initiatives. About 90% of local club support stays in local communities.
3. Endowment Fund Contributions: Structured contribution tiers for the Endowment Fund supporting YMI's long-term financial stability. Contribution levels range from CHF 50 (Endowment Friend) to CHF 5,000+ (Multiple HRM).
4. International Convention Fees: Registration fees for International Conventions including Early Bird rates (USD 495), standard rates (USD 600), and combined packages with optional activities like golf tournaments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Y's Men International operates a global network of affiliated service clubs in 82+ countries that deliver fellowship, leadership development, and community service programs in support of the worldwide YMCA. Its core offerings include a monthly publication (YMI World), annual International Conventions, international support programs (Time of Fast, Roll Back Malaria), youth exchange and internship programs (iGo, STEP), and several endowment and scholarship funds.

Product overview

Y's Men International operates a unified service organization focused on serving the worldwide YMCA and communities globally. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including YMI World (monthly publication), the International Convention (IC) series, and multiple service programs such as Endowment Fund, Alexander Support Fund, Building Fellowship, Time of Fast, and Roll Back Malaria. Youth engagement is facilitated through iGo internships, STEP exchange, and International Youth Convocation. The organization maintains digital resources through its website, resource library, and annual reports. Strategy 2032 guides the organization with focus on Health, Environment, and Education, supported by the Kumamoto Declaration on sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Blue Music: YMI's vision for 2026/27 presented by International President Johan Vilhelm Eltvik, representing values of fellowship, freedom, courage, compassion and hope.
• Time of Fast (TOF)
• YMI World

Products and services

• YMI World Monthly Publication Monthly digital publication replacing IP News, featuring leadership reflections, global updates, Area highlights, club projects, and inspiring stories from across the worldwide movement. Targeted at YMI members and leadership.
• International Convention (IC) Series Annual flagship gathering of YMI members worldwide; IC 2026 (75th edition) is scheduled for 10-13 September 2026 in Penang, Malaysia. Features inspiring speakers, cultural performances, fellowship activities, and business meetings. Registration tiers include Early Bird (USD 495) and Standard (USD 600), with combined packages available.
• Endowment Fund Provides financial aid and stability for YMI's present and future purposes, objectives, programme, and expansion. January is Emphasis Month. Funds special projects, extension, operational subsidies and rainy-day reserves. Contribution tiers range from CHF 50 (Endowment Friend) to CHF 5,000+ (Multiple HRM).
• Alexander Support Fund (ASF) Supports training of YMCA staff. October is Emphasis Month. Established in 1954 in honor of Judge Paul William Alexander, the first International President.
• Building Fellowship Cultural exchange programme allowing travel of members to visit members in other countries. BF Ambassadors are hosted by Regions for cultural exchange. International President contribution goal set at CHF 80,000 for the current year.
• Time of Fast (TOF) YMI's flagship international project launched in the 1970s, coordinated by YMI clubs, YMCA, and affiliates. Supports UN Sustainable Development Goals. February is Emphasis Month. Application deadline 15 November.
• Roll Back Malaria Partnership with The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Raises funds for malaria prevention in endemic countries through international programme contributions and events such as the RBM Golf Tournament at IC 2026.
• iGo (Internships 4 Global Outreach) Collaborative programme of YMI and YMCA providing short-term international internships to young adults aged 18-30. Fosters global community and international solidarity through work experience.
• STEP (Short Term Exchange Programme) Cultural exchange opportunity for youth aged 18-25 involving homestay with a Y's Men family. Programme runs from 3 to 11 weeks. November is Emphasis Month.
• International Youth Convocation (IYC) Global youth gathering held periodically bringing together Y's Youth from various Areas for inspiration, collaboration, workshops, and cultural exchange. IYC 2024 took place in Dubai from 5-10 November 2024 with 60-70 delegates; IYC 2026 is planned for Penang.
• 100 Days Membership Campaign Annual membership campaign running from 1 September to 9 December, aiming to reach 3,000 new club members annually through local club recruitment drives.
• Week4Waste Environmental Initiative Environmental initiative challenging waste and promoting sustainability. Strengthens second-hand initiatives, encourages recycled products, and organizes local clean-up campaigns at club and district levels.
• YMCA/YWCA Week of Prayer Annual week of prayer starting on the 2nd Sunday of November. Theme changes annually. Joint initiative with YMCA/YWCA promoting prayer in action across the global movement.
• YMI Resource Library Online repository of downloadable resources for members, including the International Constitution, Code of Conduct, Manuals, Brochures, Directories, Policies, Award templates, Historical Data, Annual Reports, and Emblems/Logos.

Quantifiable outcome

• Close to US$ 4 million in annual local community support
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• YMCA (World Alliance of YMCAs)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1922YMI was founded in 1922 specifically to serve the worldwide YMCA. This is the organization's foundational and primary partnership. YMI supports YMCA programming, staff training, and community service. The partnership was honoured at the 21st YMCA World Council for more than 100 years of collaboration.
• The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and MalariacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMI plays a key role in sustainable development through its Roll Back Malaria initiative in partnership with The Global Fund. The RBM Golf Tournament at IC 2026 raises funds for malaria prevention in endemic countries.
• Y's MenettescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated women's organization within the YMI family. Y's Menettes conduct their own projects and are part of the broader YMI movement. They have dedicated resources, prayer practices, and project initiatives.
• Y's YouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth arm of YMI encompassing programs including iGo (internships), STEP (exchange), Y's Youth Clubs, and International Youth Convocation (IYC). Focused on youth leadership development and engagement.
• United Nations (via Sustainable Development Goals)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMI's programs including Time of Fast support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The organization aligns local service projects with global priorities through its international support initiatives.
• World YMCA Accelerator SummitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMI participated in the World YMCA Accelerator Summit in Mombasa, presenting the Y's Men movement to global YMCA leaders and emphasizing commitment to mutual support and cooperation.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Civitan International: International service club organization with local clubs focused on community service and supporting people with intellectual disabilities - directly comparable civic service club model to YMI.
• Kiwanis International: Global civic service club organization structured around local chapters providing community service, leadership development, and youth engagement - directly comparable membership-based service club model to YMI.
• Rotary International: Largest international service club organization with local clubs providing community service, fellowship, and global humanitarian programs including disease eradication - directly comparable model and global footprint to YMI.
• Optimist International: International volunteer service club organization with local clubs focused on youth-oriented community service programs - directly comparable civic service club structure with similar youth engagement focus to YMI.
• Sertoma International: US-headquartered civic service club organization focused on hearing health, youth, and community service through local affiliated clubs - closely comparable membership service club structure to YMI.
• Lions Clubs International: International service club with local chapters focused on community service, humanitarian programs, and youth engagement - directly comparable membership model and global scale to YMI.
• Zonta International: Global service organization of professionals with local clubs focused on empowering women and girls through service and advocacy - closely comparable membership-based international service club model.
• Soroptimist International: International volunteer service organization for women with local clubs delivering community impact projects and supporting women's empowerment - directly comparable service club structure and fellowship ethos to YMI.
• Junior Chamber International (JCI): Global federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs organized in local chapters focused on leadership development, community service, and international fellowship - comparable to YMI's youth development programs (iGo, STEP, IYC).

Others

• YMCA (World Alliance of YMCAs): YMI's foundational partner organization; although YMI is structured to serve the worldwide YMCA rather than compete with it, YMCA operates a parallel global movement model and shares geographic footprint and mission alignment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Y%27s+Men+International&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ysmen.org
• Facebookfacebook.com/sharer.php
• Pinterestpinterest.com/sharer/sharer.php?display=popup&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ysmen.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/y's-men-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Y's Men International