YMCA of Greater Syracuse

What YMCA of Greater Syracuse does

YMCA of Central New York (formerly YMCA of Greater Syracuse) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization operating seven physical branches across the Syracuse metropolitan area, plus an Arts & Education Branch, Camp Evergreen (58 acres, established 1933 as the nation's oldest continuously operated day camp), Camp Iroquois (56 acres), and the Downtown Writers Center. Founded in 1850 (166 years of continuous operation as of 2024), the organization rebranded in 2019 to reflect its expanded regional footprint. It delivers a diversified portfolio of services spanning health and wellness (fitness facilities, group exercise, EGYM technology, personal training, nutrition), aquatics (swim lessons, Safety Around Water initiative, masters swimming), youth and family programs (childcare, universal preschool, before/after school programming serving ~1,000 students daily in Syracuse City School District, summer day camps, teen and family programs), sports (youth and adult leagues, tennis, pickleball), arts (creative writing, music, visual arts, dance), and community-health interventions (cancer survivor programs, Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring achieving 14%/6% BP reduction, arthritis programs, diabetes prevention, Medicaid Waiver Navigation).

The technology backbone is built on the Daxko CRM platform (implemented June 2019), which handles membership management, online program registration, member check-in, payment processing, and visit history; a Daxko-powered mobile app launched in May 2024 extends member self-service; the Virtual Y platform provides on-demand wellness classes; and operational tools include Zoom, Canva, and Asana. There is no evidence of proprietary AI/ML or software development.

Revenue is generated through five streams: membership dues (sliding-scale subscriptions via Membership for All), program registration fees (childcare, camps, swim lessons, fitness classes), an annual charitable giving campaign, grants from government agencies and foundations (New York State Department of Health, OPWDD, National Endowment for the Arts, CNY Arts, NY State Council on the Arts), and housing revenue from the Men's Residence at Downtown YMCA (85 residents, with Section 8 subsidies). The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer, supported by community outreach (Y on the Fly mobile initiative launched July 2025 serving underserved neighborhoods), corporate wellness partnerships (Haylor Freyer & Coon, The Alera Group, Travelers, WellNow, Upstate University Hospital, Kinney Drugs, Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists), and an Earned Media and digital marketing presence across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Financial figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

YMCA of Greater Syracuse

Legal name

YMCA of Central New York

Website

https://ymcacny.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1850

Operating status

Operating

Short description

YMCA of Central New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating 7 branches, 2 day camps, and arts and housing programs serving families, seniors, and underserved residents across the Syracuse metropolitan area through memberships, program fees, and charitable grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Fitness and Wellness Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (72121), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA)

Keywords

• Community fitness services
• Youth development programs
• Childcare services
• Nonprofit recreation
• Community wellness

Headquarters

HQ city

Syracuse

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual and monthly membership fees for individuals and families to access fitness facilities, pools, and program discounts across all branches.
2. Program Registration Fees: Fees for child care, camps, swim lessons, fitness classes, arts programs, and sports programs.
3. Donations and Annual Campaign: Charitable contributions from donors supporting financial assistance programs, youth development, and community health initiatives.
4. Grants: Funding from government agencies, foundations, and corporate partners for specific programs and community initiatives.
5. Housing Revenue: Low-cost housing revenue from Men's Residence at Downtown YMCA providing safe housing for men in transition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

YMCA of Greater Syracuse is a community-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that delivers fitness and wellness programs, childcare and early learning services, summer camps, arts programming, youth sports, senior services, and supportive housing to individuals and families across Central New York. It operates seven branch locations, overnight and day camps, and mobile outreach units serving more than 60,000 members and program participants annually.

Product overview

The YMCA of Central New York operates as a multi-branch community organization offering fitness facilities, aquatic centers, arts programming, and community services. The core offerings include Health and Wellness Programs (fitness, group exercise, EGYM technology), Swimming and Aquatics, Sports Programs, Children and Teens Programs (camps, child care, preschool, after-school), and Arts & Education Branch (creative writing, visual arts, music, dance). Supporting services include Camp Evergreen (day camp since 1933), Virtual Y (online programming), Y Kids Inc. (inclusion program), Cancer Survivor Programs, and Membership for All (financial assistance). The organization uses Daxko as its integrated CRM and program registration platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Camp Evergreen: YMCA Camp Evergreen - Nation's Oldest Continuously Operated Day Camp, located on 58 acres in Manlius, NY. Offers archery, canoeing, sports, arts & crafts, swimming, nature studies, and character building programs for children.
• Downtown Writers Center
• Y on the Fly
• Membership for All
• Y Kids Inc.

Products and services

• YMCA Membership
• Childcare and Early Learning Programs
• Summer Camp Programs
• Arts and Enrichment Programs
• Youth Sports and Aquatics
• Senior and Active Older Adult Programs
• Supportive and Affordable Housing
• Mobile and Community Outreach Programs
• Group Exercise and Personal Training

Quantifiable outcome

• 14% decrease in systolic blood pressure and 6% decrease in diastolic blood pressure for BPSM participants
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered key and supporting.

• Haylor, Freyer & CoonkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull-service insurance agency (Alera Group company) named YMCA as Community Partner of the Year 2023; along with The Alera Group and Travelers, donated $15k to support Y programs and services; supported Y for many years through donations and volunteer service on association and branch boards
• The Alera GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance agency partnership; co-donated $15k with Haylor, Freyer & Coon and Travelers to support YMCA programs and services
• TravelerssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance company partnership; co-donated $15k with Haylor, Freyer & Coon and The Alera Group to support YMCA programs and services
• New York State Department of HealthkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNY SWIMS Initiative funding through Governor Kathy Hochul provides free swim lessons to help children gain water safety and swimming skills
• WellNow Urgent CaresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBackpack program partnership providing backpacks and school supplies for children in the community; donated to purchase supplies for over 120 children through Hal Welsh East Area Family YMCA
• Kinney DrugskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOVID-19 vaccine distribution partnership; YMCA served as vaccination site hosting clinics with Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for adults 18+
• Syracuse UniversitykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlood Pressure Self-Monitoring program partnership offering worksite wellness to university employees; 17 participants achieved 14% systolic BP reduction over 16 weeks; program transitioned to virtual format for remote workforce
• Upstate University HospitalkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobile Mammography Unit partnership providing 3D breast imaging services at Northwest Family YMCA; unit serves women in Onondaga, Oswego, Oneida, Madison, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties
• Onondaga Community CollegekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthwest YMCA located on OCC campus; partnership for shared parking during large campus events; collaborative arrangement for Y member access
• AccessCNYkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for Y Kids Inc. inclusion program supporting children with disabilities to participate in Y activities
• Office for People with Developmental DisabilitieskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerState funding partner for Y Kids Inc. inclusion program enabling children with developmental disabilities to participate in Y programming
• Saint Agatha FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding for Laurie's Hope breast cancer survivor program supporting survivors through physical fitness, diet improvement, and social support
• Syracuse Housing AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSection 8 housing subsidy coordination for Men's Residence at Downtown YMCA; subsidies frozen during COVID-19 pandemic affecting resident revenue
• YMCA of the USAkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational YMCA affiliation providing organizational leader certification, member experience training, and YMCA movement resources and best practices
• CNY ArtssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty of Onondaga funding administered through CNY Arts supporting Arts and Education Branch programs
• New York State Council on the ArtssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerState arts funding supporting Arts and Education Branch programs with support from Governor and Legislature
• Interfaith WorkssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelcoming Week collaboration and international restaurant list compilation for cultural programming
• Bond, Schoeneck & KingsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRace Weekend sponsor supporting YMCA Sprint Triathlon and 8k Trail Race benefiting cancer survivor programs
• WegmanssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRace Weekend sponsor and Gold Sponsor of Corporate Games wellness event
• Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNaming sponsor of Annual YMCA CNY Corporate Games wellness competition
• Geddes Federal Savings & Loan AssociationsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTennis Tournament and Race Weekend sponsor
• American Cancer SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBreast Cancer Awareness Month collaboration including Making Strides walk, Reach to Recovery program, and virtual seminars
• Hematology Oncology Associates of CNYsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCancer survivor program collaboration including oncology nutrition seminars and breast cancer support groups
• Vera HousesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental Health Awareness Speaker Series presenter covering domestic and sexual violence prevention
• ACR Health Q CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ+ programming collaboration including PRIDE events, workshops on creating affirming environments, and stress management resources
• Syracuse Regional Airport AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPoetry in Flight contest partnership with Downtown Writers Center for aviation-themed poetry contest displayed at SYR airport
• Delta Air LinessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPoetry in Flight contest prize sponsor providing round-trip plane tickets for adult category winner

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• JCC of Greater Syracuse: Jewish Community Center of Syracuse operating a comparable multi-program community hub model with fitness facilities, aquatics, childcare, camps, and senior programs in the same Syracuse market, directly competing for overlapping member segments.
• YMCA of Greater Rochester: Regional YMCA serving Greater Rochester, NY with membership-based fitness, childcare, camps, and community programs. Operates as a peer nonprofit affiliate within the same YMCA of the USA national network, serving an adjacent upstate NY market with comparable scope.
• YMCA of Buffalo Niagara: Buffalo-Niagara regional YMCA offering membership fitness, youth development, and community programs comparable to YMCA of Central New York. Another upstate NY nonprofit YMCA affiliate with similar service breadth and target demographics.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse: Local chapter of Boys & Girls Clubs of America serving Syracuse youth with afterschool programs, camps, and teen development. Overlaps with YMCA's youth development and childcare offerings in the same geographic market.

Broad incumbents

• Planet Fitness: National low-cost fitness chain with $10-15/month memberships and thousands of locations. Directly competes with YMCA for price-sensitive fitness members, exerting downward pressure on YMCA's membership pricing power.
• LA Fitness: Mid-market national fitness chain offering full-service gyms with pools, group classes, and family memberships at price points overlapping with YMCA offerings in many markets.
• Crunch Fitness: Mid-market fitness chain with diverse membership tiers from budget to premium, competing directly with YMCA for members seeking group fitness, weight equipment, and flexible pricing.
• Life Time Fitness: Premium nationwide fitness operator offering upscale facilities with pools, group classes, family programs, and children's activities - overlapping meaningfully with YMCA's premium membership value proposition.

Others

• City of Syracuse Parks & Recreation: Municipal parks and recreation department offering free and low-cost fitness, swim, and youth programming in the same Syracuse market, providing a publicly-funded alternative that competes with YMCA on price for certain segments.
• United Way of Central New York: Regional nonprofit umbrella organization funding and coordinating human services in Central New York. Operates as a complementary community partner and potential co-funder rather than a direct competitor to YMCA programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLiiZeotHUEcQadhiVZr8_d7-0xTncaCuO
• Facebookfacebook.com/ymcacny
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ymcacny
• Instagraminstagram.com/ymca_cny

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Syracuse