Aspirations for Our Community

Learn more about our history, our mission, our focus and our vision. They form the bedrock of everything that happens at the Y.

Aspirations for Our Community
Kids' Club staff member doing crafts with happy young children

Our Mission

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

YMCA Louisville children pose on a playground for community programs

Our Purpose

The Y is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose and each other. Working locally, we focus on empowering young people, improving health and well-being, and inspiring action in and across communities. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, we ensure that we all have access to the opportunities, relationships and resources necessary to learn, grow and thrive.

Strategic Aspirations

Uncovering and meeting the needs of our community require that we listen. To determine our strategic priorities over the next several years, we brought together a diverse group of community stakeholders, more than 600 in total, to provide feedback and insights from their unique perspectives. Through those sessions, we identified a variety of common themes.

A working group of volunteer leadership and YMCA staff set out to refine those themes into five aspirational areas. In the Y of Greater Louisville Strategic Vision document linked below, you will learn about those aspirations, as well as the strategic objectives associated with each.

People standing together for group photo

Our History

In 1853, the YMCA of Greater Louisville was founded and chartered as a membership organization. The 10th YMCA in the United States, today we have 10 convenient branch locations throughout the Greater Louisville area. We are also the largest provider of before- and after-school care in the state, celebrate the most extensive Black Achievers program in the country and are the proud founder of Safe Place Services, acting as the national headquarters of this outstanding organization.

As a nonprofit organization, our involvement in the community is our measure of success. We are proud to have been selected to serve as a YMCA Activate America - Pioneering Healthier Communities association. We are committed to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities and emphasize the core Y values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

2023 Community Impact Report

Community Impact Report

Learn how the YMCA of Greater Louisville changed our community for the better this year. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us with time, talent and treasure. Together, our strength is your story.

Y-USA is Among the Nation's Top Charities

The American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP), which helps donors make informed giving decisions, has awarded YMCA of the USA an "A" in its most recent ratings. AIP gave the Armed Services YMCA an "A-" grade. Y-USA is one of only two national human services charities to receive an "A" grade or better. The Armed Services YMCA is one of just four veterans and military charities to receive an "A-" grade or better. AIP bases its grades on two factors: 1) how much it costs an organization to raise $0 in public contributions and 2) the percentage of an organization's total expenses spent on services.

Looking for Financial Documents?

If you would like to see a copy of any our financial documents, including audits, Form 990s or past Community Impact Reports, please contact our Finance team at [email protected].

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