YWCA Lower Cape Fear

What YWCA Lower Cape Fear does

YWCA Lower Cape Fear is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1918 and headquartered at 2815 College Rd, Wilmington, North Carolina, serving the Lower Cape Fear Region. The organization provides direct services, empowerment programming, and advocacy targeting marginalized individuals and families — particularly women and girls of color — with the stated mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Its service portfolio spans childcare (Bright Futures Childcare Center), a year-round aquatics center with a 6-lane pool enclosed by a heated dome from late September through late April, women's empowerment programs (H.E.R. Path, Early Parenthood Program for ages 12-19, Grandparent Support Network), DEI leadership training (Leadership for Inclusive Communities), racial justice advocacy including the Racial Justice Challenge, domestic violence shelter and hotline services, and entrepreneurship support (Level Up! Women's Small Business Conference and Pitch Competition).

The organization's technology infrastructure is built on standard third-party SaaS rather than proprietary systems. Daxko Operations handles online registration, membership management, and donations; Swimmingly manages Barracudas Swim Team meet registration; SwimOutlet hosts the team store; Quorum powers the Act Now advocacy center; and the website is built on Squarespace. Integrations with insurance reimbursement programs (Silver & Fit, Active & Fit, FitOnHealth) expand the accessible member base. The only true domain-specific differentiator is the first-in-U.S. Welcome to Water infant swimming certification for ages 3-36 months, combining at-home online instruction with in-person pool sessions.

The business model blends earned and contributed revenue. Earned revenue streams include annual memberships ($25 youth to $55 family), monthly pool passes ($30-$55), program fees (private swim lessons $30-$45, lifeguard certification $275, summer swim team $195, pool rentals $150-$250), childcare tuition, and event revenue from Level Up! Contributed revenue comes from tax-deductible individual and corporate donations, foundation grants (New Hanover County Endowment Foundation $122,205; The Landfall Foundation), and corporate sponsorships (P&G for Level Up!). GTM is community-led — the organization acquires members through its website, newsletter, social media (Instagram and Facebook under the @ywcabarracudas handle), community partnerships, and word-of-mouth — with no traditional sales motion or paid acquisition. The leadership team is small, headed by CEO Velva Jenkins with named directors for operations and aquatics.

Name

YWCA Lower Cape Fear

Legal name

YWCA Lower Cape Fear

Website

https://ywca-lowercapefear.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1918

Operating status

Operating

Short description

YWCA Lower Cape Fear is a 1918-founded nonprofit in Wilmington, NC, delivering childcare, year-round aquatics, women's empowerment, DEI leadership training, racial justice advocacy, and domestic violence services to families and marginalized women across the Lower Cape Fear Region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (624110), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA), Protection, Child Protection & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response (BPAGAAAG), Pregnant & Parenting Teen Education Programs (EDAJAEAH)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Childcare services
• Aquatics swim programs
• Women's empowerment programs
• Nonprofit family support

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilmington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees ranging from $25 (youth) to $55 (family) that provide access to discounted pool passes, childcare enrollment, and facility amenities.
2. Program Fees: Fees for childcare programs (Bright Futures Childcare Center), swim lessons, swim team, water aerobics, lifeguard certification courses, and private/semi-private swim lessons.
3. Pool Passes: Monthly pool passes for unlimited lap swimming and pool access, with pricing tiers for individual, senior, and family memberships. Daily drop-in fees also available.
4. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporate sponsors, plus grant funding from foundations such as the New Hanover County Endowment Foundation and The Landfall Foundation.
5. Event Revenue: Revenue from events such as the Level Up! Women's Small Business Conference and Pitch Competition, including ticket sales and vendor fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

YWCA Lower Cape Fear is a nonprofit organization that delivers direct services, empowerment programming, and advocacy to women, children, and families in the Lower Cape Fear region of North Carolina. Its core offerings include the Bright Futures Childcare Center, a year-round Aquatics Center (swim lessons, swim team, water fitness, lifeguard training), the Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC) DEI leadership program, H.E.R. Path women's economic empowerment, family support programs (Early Parenthood Program, Grandparent Support Network), racial justice advocacy, the Level Up! Women's Small Business Conference, and a Domestic Violence Shelter & Services program. Memberships, program fees, donations, and grants fund operations.

Product overview

YWCA Lower Cape Fear operates as a multi-service nonprofit organization providing direct services, empowerment programming, and advocacy. The organization offers a diverse portfolio organized into several core service areas: (1) Aquatics programming including the Aquatics Center, swim lessons (Welcome To Water, Learn To Swim, Adult Lessons, Private Lessons), Barracudas Swim Team, Y-Dub Tri Club, Water Aerobics, Flow Motion fitness for breast cancer survivors, and Lifeguard training; (2) Childcare through Bright Futures Childcare Center; (3) Women's empowerment via H.E.R. Path; (4) Family support including Early Parenthood Program and Grandparent Support Network; (5) Leadership development through Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC); (6) Racial justice advocacy including the Racial Justice Challenge; and (7) Entrepreneurship support via Level Up! Small Business Conference. The organization also operates Domestic Violence Shelter & Services. Membership programs provide access to pool facilities and discounted rates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bright Futures Childcare Center: Childcare center promoting child development and school readiness while enabling parents to obtain employment.
• Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC)
• Welcome to Water
• H.E.R. Path
• Barracudas Swim Team

Products and services

• Bright Futures Childcare Center On-site childcare services promoting child development and school readiness while enabling parents to obtain employment. Targeted at families with young children in the Wilmington area.
• YWCA Aquatics Center
• Welcome to Water Infant Swimming Program Force-free, no-submersion infant swimming program for babies 3-36 months, teaching water confidence and basic swim skills using a gentle philosophy. Combines at-home online instruction with in-person lessons at the YWCA pool.
• Learn to Swim Program Group swim lessons for ages 3-12 organized into levels (Aqua Tots Levels 1-3 for ages 3-4, Learn to Swim Levels 1-5 for ages 5-12), teaching breath control, floating, and swim strokes.
• Adult Swim Lessons Group swim lessons for adults ages 13+ across Fear & Phobia (Level 1), Beginners (Level 2), and Intermediate (Level 3) levels.
• Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons One-on-one specialized swim lessons for ages 2+ including stroke work and adapted aquatics for individuals with additional needs. Semi-private lessons also available. YWCA membership required.
• Barracudas Swim Team Competitive summer swim team program running mid-May through mid-July with dual meets, relay meet, and championships. Includes Fall Training and Winter Warm Up programs. Managed via Swimmingly software.
• Y-Dub Tri Club USA Triathlon-affiliated club offering specialized training in swimming, running, and cycling for all levels. Currently swim-only with Tuesday/Thursday morning practices.
• Water Aerobics Water fitness classes combining water resistance with invigorating movements, included in monthly pool passes at $45/month for individuals under 65 and $40/month for seniors 65+.
• Flow Motion Breast Cancer Survivor Fitness Program Progressive fitness program for breast cancer survivors incorporating water and land exercises, focusing on strengthening areas affected by surgeries and treatments.
• Lifeguard Certification Courses American Red Cross lifeguarding certification courses offered annually, valid for 2 years, including CPR for Professional Rescuer, First Aid, and AED. Recertification review classes also available.
• Pool Party and Group Rentals Private ($250/2hr for up to 40 swimmers) and semi-private ($150/2hr for up to 15 swimmers) pool party rentals, plus group reservations for school groups and daycares.
• Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC) 10-month leadership program providing DEI training, cultural competency, and community building for senior leaders across nonprofit, public, and business sectors. Facilitated by Auspen Consulting and Soul Shop for Black Churches.
• H.E.R. Path Women's Economic Advancement Program Women's empowerment program offering mentorship, community, and practical resources to help women overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
• Early Parenthood Program Support program for teens and young parents ages 12-19 providing guidance, resources, and community to navigate parenthood.
• Grandparent Support Network Support program for grandparents raising grandchildren, providing resources and community connections.
• Racial Justice Challenge Virtual learning and community engagement program on racial equity, with weekly topics covering bodily autonomy, financial empowerment, gun violence, and transportation. Coincides with the national YWCA Until Justice Just Is campaign.
• Level Up! Women's Small Business Conference and Pitch Competition Annual entrepreneurship support program for women small business owners in the Lower Cape Fear region, featuring a workshop, panel discussion, and pitch competition with the largest regional prize pool.
• Domestic Violence Shelter & Services 24/7 crisis intervention, shelter, and support services for individuals experiencing domestic violence. Includes the A Safe Place hotline.

Quantifiable outcome

• 21 leaders graduated from inaugural Leadership for Inclusive Communities cohort
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• UNCW Social Work InternsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNCW social work interns hosted the inaugural Annual Hispanic Outreach event featuring traditional Bachata dance class and activities honoring Hispanic Heritage.
• YMCA of Southeastern NCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYWCA Lower Cape Fear and YMCA of Southeastern NC teamed up for a swim pilot program for 2nd graders to provide swimming instruction and water safety education.
• Wilmington Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating organization in Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC) inaugural cohort, representing senior leadership in community DEI initiatives.
• City of WilmingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating organization in Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC) inaugural cohort.
• Live Oak BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating organization in Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC) inaugural cohort.
• Novant HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating organization in Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC) inaugural cohort.
• United Way of the Cape Fear AreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating organization in Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC) inaugural cohort.
• New Hanover CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating organization in Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC) inaugural cohort.
• New Hanover County SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating organization in Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC) inaugural cohort.
• North State BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating organization in Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC) inaugural cohort.
• Genesis BlockminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating organization in Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC) inaugural cohort.
• LINC Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating organization in Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC) inaugural cohort.
• Wilmington Housing AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating organization in Leadership for Inclusive Communities (LIC) inaugural cohort.
• Cape Fear Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue partner for Level Up! Women's Small Business Conference and Pitch Competition events at Windell Daniels Hall at the Union Station campus.
• OZS Consulting (Octavia Seawell)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigned and led the Leadership Development Institute model adapted for Wilmington's Leadership for Inclusive Communities pilot program.
• Auspen Consulting (Tanya Blackmon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three facilitators for Leadership for Inclusive Communities program. Nationally recognized DEI executive, president and COO.
• Soul Shop for Black Churches (Victor Armstrong)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three facilitators for Leadership for Inclusive Communities program. National Director of suicide prevention initiative.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Domestic Violence Shelter and Services (DSS) of Cape Fear: Local domestic violence services organization in the Cape Fear region. Comparable as a direct peer for YWCA's domestic violence shelter and 24/7 hotline services within the same service area.
• YWCA of Greater Charlotte: Sister YWCA affiliate in North Carolina providing similar multi-service programming including childcare, aquatics, DV services, and women's empowerment. Closest operational peer in terms of service mix and scale as a mid-size YWCA chapter.
• YMCA of Southeastern NC: Direct local competitor operating in the same Wilmington/Lower Cape Fear market with overlapping aquatics, swim lessons, swim team, memberships, and family programming. The data explicitly shows the two organizations partnering on a swim pilot for 2nd graders, underscoring direct comparability.
• YWCA of Asheville and Western North Carolina: Another North Carolina YWCA chapter operating childcare, advocacy, and women's empowerment programs in a regional market. Comparable as a same-state YWCA peer with similar programmatic scope.

Broad incumbents

• YWCA USA: National umbrella organization for the YWCA movement in the United States. Comparable as the parent association of which YWCA Lower Cape Fear is an autonomous local chapter, with shared mission, brand standards, and programming frameworks.
• Girls Inc. National nonprofit serving girls and young women with empowerment, education, and advocacy programming. Highly comparable mission (girls/women's empowerment) and direct-service model, though Girls Inc. focuses on youth while YWCA spans the life cycle.
• National Council of Negro Women (NCNW): National nonprofit advancing the economic, educational, and political empowerment of African American women. Comparable mission overlap with YWCA's racial justice, women's empowerment, and H.E.R. Path programming.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit with local affiliates offering childcare, swim programs, and family services. Comparable in the community-based youth services space and operating model (local chapter affiliated with national body), though YWCA explicitly serves women and girls.

Regional players

• Coastal Horizons Center: Wilmington-area nonprofit providing mental health, substance use, and family support services. Comparable as a regional social services peer in the same Lower Cape Fear market, particularly around family support and adolescent services.
• United Way of the Cape Fear Area: Local United Way affiliate operating in the same Lower Cape Fear Region, focused on community fundraising, grantmaking, and supporting partner nonprofits. Comparable as a regional nonprofit leader and listed LIC program participant.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/YwcaBarracudas
• Instagraminstagram.com/ywcabarracudas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ywcalowercapefear

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about YWCA Lower Cape Fear