YMCA of Greater Erie

What YMCA of Greater Erie does

The YMCA of Greater Erie is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1860 and headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, operating seven branches across Erie County: Downtown, Eastside Family Y, Glenwood Park, County (Edinboro), Wabtec, Camp Sherwin (Lake City), and the newer YMCA @ Montessori (MRCS Pool). The core offering is the Circle Membership program — a flexible subscription at $38/month per individual, with children added at $10/month total and additional adults at $12/month each (no household living requirement) — that grants access to fitness facilities, group exercise, aquatic programs, and youth programming across all branches. Beyond membership, the organization runs an extensive program portfolio: licensed childcare from infants through age 12 (Keystone STARS-rated), a competitive Blue Dolphins swim team, summer camps at Camp Sherwin (cabin/RV/tent rentals and event pavilions), youth sports leagues, STEM/STEAM workshops (delivered with Wabtec), dance and cheerleading, pickleball, holistic and ASL classes, Active Older Adult programming, and a suite of community-health initiatives (blood drives, flu-shot clinics, diabetes support, cancer wellness, CPR training) delivered in partnership with LECOM, the Community Blood Bank, and the Erie Cancer Wellness Center.

The organization runs on a standard nonprofit community wellness management platform providing online registration, a member portal, and program scheduling; no proprietary technology or AI capabilities are indicated. Revenue is diversified across subscription membership dues, session-based program fees ($10–$135+), childcare tuition, Camp Sherwin rentals, the 2026 Annual Campaign, planned-giving pledges via the Heritage Club endowment (minimum $5,000), and grants (e.g., a $143,000 foundation gift for Eastside pool renovation and a pending $120,000 Pennsylvania NAP tax-credit application). Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through physical branches, an online enrollment portal, community outreach via dedicated Community Involvement Coordinators, and corporate partnerships with local employers and schools. The organization employs between 501 and 1,000 staff and operates with no parent company, no external equity ownership, and a board-governed nonprofit structure.

Name

YMCA of Greater Erie

Legal name

YMCA of Greater Erie

Website

https://ymcaerie.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1860

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

YMCA of Greater Erie is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating seven branches across Erie County, Pennsylvania, delivering Circle Membership fitness access, licensed childcare, youth sports and STEM programs, senior wellness, and Camp Sherwin outdoor recreation to local families, adults, and active older adults.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Fitness and Wellness Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA), Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), Family & Recreation Campgrounds (Amenities/Activities Focus) (THAMAJAJ)

Keywords

• Community fitness services
• Youth development programs
• Licensed childcare services
• Aquatics and swim lessons
• Nonprofit wellness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Erie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Recurring monthly membership fees charged to individual members and family circles. Individual memberships are $38/month, with additional fees for children ($10/month total) and additional adults ($12/month each). This forms the core recurring revenue base.
2. Program Fees: Fees for specific programs including swim team, summer camp, cheerleading, dance, STEM workshops, fitness classes, and childcare. These are typically one-time or session-based charges ranging from $10 to $135+ depending on the program.
3. Annual Campaign Donations: Annual fundraising campaign (2026 Annual Campaign) soliciting donations from members and the community to support YMCA programs and facilities.
4. Planned Giving / Endowment: Heritage Club planned giving program where donors make minimum $5,000 pledges to the YMCA Endowment Fund, ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
5. Grants: Grant funding from foundations and government programs (e.g., $143,000 gift from a local foundation for Eastside pool renovations, NAP funding applications) that support capital improvements and specific programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

YMCA of Greater Erie is a non-profit community organization that operates 7 branch locations offering flexible Circle Memberships providing access to fitness facilities, group exercise classes, swimming, racquetball, and youth sports. Offerings extend to licensed childcare (infants through school-age), youth development programs including Blue Dolphins Swim Team, sports leagues, STEM/STEAM workshops, dance, cheerleading, and community health services such as blood drives, cancer wellness, and diabetes support. Camp Sherwin provides outdoor recreation with cabin rentals, RV/tent sites, and group event facilities on the banks of Lake Erie.

Product overview

The YMCA of Greater Erie is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating 7 branch facilities across Erie County, Pennsylvania, offering a comprehensive portfolio of health, wellness, and community programs. The core offering is the Circle Membership program providing flexible family membership access to fitness facilities and classes, supplemented by extensive youth and family programming including competitive swim team, sports leagues, STEM/STEAM education, dance, cheerleading, and childcare services from infancy through school age. The organization operates Camp Sherwin as a destination outdoor recreation center featuring cabin/lodge accommodations, RV and tent camping, and group event facilities. Community health services include disease prevention programs, cancer wellness, diabetes support, and CPR training. Social responsibility initiatives encompass meals for kids, teen programming, and volunteer engagement. The membership structure features flexible circle-based pricing with youth scholarships and insurance program integration (Silver Sneakers, Medicare) to ensure accessibility across economic backgrounds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Camp Sherwin: YMCA Camp Sherwin - a public outdoor recreation and camping center located on the banks of Lake Erie, serving the region since 1912
• Blue Dolphins Swim Team

Products and services

• YMCA Circle Membership Flexible membership program allowing individuals and families to join and add members to their 'circle' with tiered monthly pricing ($38/month individual, $10/month to add children, $12/month per additional adult up to 4 adults). Supports up to 6 members per circle with no household living requirement, providing access to all 7 branch facilities, group exercise classes, swimming, racquetball, and nationwide membership portability.
• Youth Membership Individual YMCA membership for youth, with financial assistance and a $10/month scholarship available for those for whom the individual membership cost is a barrier.
• Childcare Services Licensed childcare for infants and toddlers, traditional preschool, Pre-K Counts, and school-age children with Keystone STARS quality rating, including summer camp programs. Serves children from 6 weeks through 12 years.
• Group Exercise Classes Hundreds of weekly fitness classes including low-impact exercise, chair classes, stretching, strength training, indoor cycling, water exercise, and yoga available at all branch locations for members.
• Personal Training One-on-one fitness training services for members seeking customized workout guidance from certified personal trainers.
• Kid Zone Member-only babysitting service for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years while caregivers use the facility, featuring age-appropriate activities and ratios. $10 per month flat fee for member children covers all children in the family.
• Birthday Parties Event hosting services for children's birthday celebrations at YMCA facilities.
• Racquetball Court Reservations Court rental services for racquetball activities at YMCA locations.
• Blue Dolphins Swim Team Competitive youth swim team program for ages 5-19 at County YMCA emphasizing stroke technique, training, and teamwork with local to national competitive opportunities. First swimmer $135, additional siblings $120, Meadville Satellite Team Members $100.
• Swim Lessons Instructional swimming programs for all ages and skill levels, including adult swim lessons.
• Pickleball Programs Adult open play, instructional sessions, skills clinics, and league play for all skill levels from beginner to intermediate. Adult League: Members $25, Non-Members $50. Skills Clinic: Members $20, Non-Members $40.
• Cheerleading Programs Youth cheerleading instruction covering motions, jumps, chants, sideline cheers, pom routines, and dance elements with age-appropriate skill development. Intermediate Cheerleading Clinic: Members $30, Non-Members $45.
• Dance Classes Youth dance instruction including sideline dance team clinics and performance routines for various age groups.
• American Sign Language (ASL) Classes Weekly ASL instruction for kids through interactive games, movement, and hands-on activities designed to build communication skills and inclusion. Members $35, Non-Members $50, with one fee covering the entire session (June 10 - August 19).
• Holistic Workshops Mind and body wellness programs including Experience The Alchemy and similar offerings such as yoga, reiki, meditation, sound bowls, crystal healing, and self-hypnosis workshops focused on stress relief and nervous system restoration. Members $10, Non-Members $15.
• S.T.E.A.M. Programs Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics enrichment programs for youth including the Engineer-It! STEM workshop delivered in partnership with Wabtec engineers, providing hands-on engineering experiences in mechanical, electrical, and material sciences for youth ages 6-14. Members $25, Non-Members $40.
• Community Health Programs Health and wellness services including blood drives (free Blood Bank Bloodmobile), flu shot clinics (free with LECOM, all insurances accepted), diabetes support groups (Members $25, Non-Members $50), hands-only CPR training (free), annual Health & Wellness Fair (free), and cancer wellness classes in partnership with Erie Cancer Wellness Center.
• Youth Sports Leagues Organized sports programming including baseball, soccer, and athletic skill development for children and teens.
• Youth Fitness and Training Fitness programs for youth including F.A.S.S.T., Strong Start for teens, and introductory sports and training classes.
• Arts and Crafts Programs Creative programming including garden art, vision board workshops, and paint pouring workshops for various age groups.
• Chronic Disease Prevention Programs Health management initiatives focused on preventing and managing chronic conditions through lifestyle interventions, including the Diabetes Support Group.
• Meals for Kids Program Nutrition assistance program providing meals for children during summer and school breaks.
• Teen Center Dedicated programming and safe space for teen engagement and development at the Downtown YMCA location.
• Summer Parks and Recreation Seasonal outdoor recreation activities and programs during summer months, including the Summer Fun Challenge.
• Camp Sherwin Outdoor recreation and camping center on Lake Erie banks operating since 1912, offering day camping, cabin rentals, RV/tent sites, and group event facilities.
• Harrington Hall Rental Event venue at Camp Sherwin accommodating up to 180 people with industrial kitchen, fireplace, and outdoor picnic area, available for wedding receptions, reunions, and company events. Closed for renovations in 2026.
• Pavilion Rentals (Darone and Duffin) Outdoor event pavilions at Camp Sherwin: Darone Pavilion (100 people, pond views, enclosed with kitchen) and Duffin Pavilion (80 people, Lake Erie views, open air), available for rental.
• Cabin Accommodations Overnight lodging options at Camp Sherwin including modern cabins with full amenities, rustic cabins, tiny cabins, and lodges sleeping 4-14 guests with various kitchen and bathroom facilities. 5-night minimum required from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• RV and Tent Camping Sites Camping accommodations at Camp Sherwin with water/electric and full hook-up RV sites, plus tent camping areas, all including picnic table and fire ring.
• Special Events Family-oriented events including pool parties, movie nights, dart blaster nights (Family Dart Blaster Night: Members $10, Non-Members $15), Parents' Night Out (Members $20, Non-Members $40), holiday celebrations, and Splash and Dash Aquatics Easter Egg Hunt.
• Active Older Adults Programs Wellness programming specifically designed for seniors including Silver Sneakers membership integration, small pool exercise classes, social engagement activities, and dedicated fitness programming for older adults.

Named customers6 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

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LECOM (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLECOM staff administer free flu shot vaccines to YMCA members and the public ages 9-99 at multiple YMCA branches during annual flu shot clinics. LECOM provides medical professionals to deliver the service and accepts all insurances. The partnership provides accessible preventive health services to the community through YMCA's physical locations.
• Community Blood Bank of NWPA (Bloodmobile)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Community Blood Bank Bloodmobile visits YMCA locations to hold blood drives open to the public. Donations support local NWPA hospitals. YMCA provides the venue and promotes the events; the Blood Bank provides staff and equipment.
• Erie Cancer Wellness Center (ECWC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECWC provides free, non-medical wellness support services for individuals impacted by cancer at the Eastside Family YMCA in Harborcreek. Sessions include Gentle Yoga, Meditation & Reflection, and Guided Journaling held every second Wednesday every other month. The YMCA provides the facility space.
• WabteccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWabtec engineers present the Engineer-It! STEM workshop at the Eastside YMCA, delivering hands-on engineering experiences in mechanical, electrical, and material sciences for youth ages 6-14. Wabtec branding on the program and engineers serving as instructors.
• PennWest Edinboro / McComb FieldhouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 2026 Blue Dolphins Summer Swim League season will be held at PennWest Edinboro's McComb Fieldhouse, providing pool access for the YMCA swim team program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Planet Fitness: National low-cost fitness chain with widespread Erie-area locations. Targets the same adult fitness demographic as YMCA membership but at significantly lower price points, representing direct competitive pressure on YMCA's core individual and family memberships.
• City of Erie Department of Parks & Recreation: Municipal recreation provider offering pools, summer parks programs, sports leagues, and community events in Erie. Competes directly with YMCA's summer parks & recreation, aquatics, and youth sports offerings, often at lower or no cost to participants.
• Life Time Fitness: National premium fitness operator offering memberships, group fitness, aquatics, childcare, and family programming. Competes with YMCA for higher-income family and adult fitness members while operating at a higher price point and broader geographic footprint.

Emerging players

• Snap Fitness: Franchised 24/7 fitness concept with multiple Erie-area locations targeting convenience-seeking adult members. Represents the niche, lower-cost 24-hour access segment that competes with YMCA for time-constrained adult fitness consumers.
• Orange Theory Fitness: Boutique fitness franchise using heart-rate-monitored group training with premium pricing and strong digital engagement. Targets the same adult fitness member as YMCA but with a differentiated, tech-enabled workout experience that is increasingly drawing younger demographics.

Direct peers

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania: Regional affiliate of Boys & Girls Clubs of America serving youth through after-school, sports, and summer programming. Comparable nonprofit youth-development mission and donor-funded model, with overlapping youth and family customer base in western PA.
• YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh: Larger Pennsylvania-based YMCA association serving a multi-county region. Operates fitness, aquatics, childcare, and camps under the same membership-based nonprofit model, providing a relevant Pennsylvania peer for facility utilization and program breadth comparisons.
• JCC of Greater Pittsburgh: Jewish Community Center operating as a nonprofit community wellness organization with membership dues, fitness facilities, early childhood education, summer camps, and senior programming. Closely parallels YMCA's nonprofit community-center model with overlapping mission and program mix.
• YMCA of Greater Buffalo-Niagara: Regional YMCA affiliate operating across the Buffalo-Niagara region with similar membership, childcare, aquatics, and camp programming. Comparable scale and business model make it the closest geographic peer for benchmarking membership economics and community wellness strategy.
• Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania: Nonprofit youth development organization serving western PA with troop programming, camps, and STEM/outdoor enrichment. Operates with similar nonprofit funding mix (memberships, donations, grants) and shared focus on youth programming and family engagement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/YMCAErie
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCl09VnaeNFf-BimEYaP3hCw?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/YMCAofGreaterErie
• Instagraminstagram.com/ymcaerie/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ymca-of-greater-erie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Greater Erie