YMCA Buffalo Niagara
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
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 in Western New York.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
YMCA Programs & Services
YMCA Buffalo Niagara offers a wide array of programs including preschool, child care, camping, youth sports, swimming lessons, teen leadership development, wellness programs, community outreach, and senior programs.
Where we work
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Total dollar amount of subsidies to families for YMCA programs and services
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
YMCA Buffalo ensures that people of all socioeconomic backgrounds have equitable access to child care, wellness, and out of school programs.
Number of families provided with subsidies to participate in YMCA programs and services
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of meals served or provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Seniors
Related Program
YMCA Programs & Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The Y is focused on combatting hunger and food insecurity. Depending on specific site, YMCA Buffalo Niagara provides breakfast, dinner, and/or weekend food to school age children and senior citizens.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
At the Y, we believe that to bring about meaningful change in individuals and communities, we must be focused and accountable. We measure success by how well we engage communities in our three areas of impact:
Youth Development – empowering young people to reach their full potential
Healthy Living – improving individual and community well-being
Social Responsibility – providing support and inspiring action in our communities
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
YMCA Buffalo Niagara's Board of Directors and senior staff have identified four key strategic priorities:
• Engage our Communities - expand and create scalable community outreach programs to provide physical activity for youth, healthy meals, educational enrichment, lifestyle change programs, drowning prevention, and water safety skills in low-income neighborhoods and communities.
• Promote Equity & Inclusion - facilitate community education series on DEI, increase opportunities for health equity by creating opportunities for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds to be able to fully access the Y's youth development and healthy living programs/services, and partner with local agencies to provide more employment and programmatic opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• Build for the Future - construct a new wellness facility in the City of Buffalo, develop long-term plans for the sustainability of overnight camps, and rebuild membership to pre-pandemic levels.
• Enhance our Organizational Capacity - cultivate strategic community relationships, develop formal succession plans for key positions, effectively use technology to advance the Y's mission, and explore opportunities for future growth.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
YMCA Buffalo Niagara has a strong foundation upon which to achieve its strategic priorities:
• Trusted Organization: The second oldest YMCA in the United States, YMCA Buffalo Niagara has been a trusted institution in Western New York since 1852.
• Broad Reach: YMCA Buffalo Niagara operates six membership facilities, two overnight camps, and over 50 child care locations throughout Western New York.
• Collaborative Partner: YMCA Buffalo Niagara is an established partner with school districts, policy makers, business leaders, and other community organizations.
• Community Impact: YMCA Buffalo Niagara creates positive lasting change for over 100,000 people annually in Western New York. The provides access to vital programs and services regardless of an individual's ability to pay.
• Leadership: The Y’s Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, and leadership staff bring diverse expertise and resources to help develop, implement, and monitor the strategic plan.
• Financial Development: YMCA Buffalo Niagara receives grant funding and conducts an annual campaign to raise funds to fulfill its charitable mission. The Board of Directors is very active in securing funding to ensure sustainability.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The Y, in partnership with corporations, foundations, and local governments, launched its mobile "Y on the Fly" program in 2021, delivering programs to under-served communities in Erie and Niagara counties. Additionally, the Y launched its "Safety Around Water" drowning prevention program in 2021 in partnership with the Niagara Falls School District. Both programs continue to expand to additional locations.
In 2022, YMCA Buffalo Niagara restructured its membership model to increase equitable access to all by removing financial and structural obstacles. The Y's new "Access to All" program is an income-based approach to membership, allowing individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds to fully benefit from the Y's services through a very simple, application-free process.
In late 2021, YMCA Buffalo Niagara purchased property in the City of Buffalo to serve as the site of a future wellness branch. Progress is underway to secure funds to make this project a reality. Once constructed, market study data indicate that the Y will be able to provide programs and services to over 10,000 additional people annually.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
YMCA Buffalo Niagara
Board of directorsas of 03/03/2023
Dr. Breeann Wilson
Pure Podiatry
Term: 2022 - 2024
Joy Aitchison
Key Bank
Erin Borek
Phillips Lytle, LLP
John Craik
Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
David Duchscherer
Wendel
Adam Dunning
Wayspring
Jared Gross
(Community Volunteer)
Michael Hofer
Amerigroup WNY
Mark Lempko
Commercial Credit Group
Marc Martis
Huntington National Bank
Stephen Nicholson
Merrill Lynch
Lynne Reilly
Independent Health - Pharmacy Benefits Division
Mark Phillips
(Retired, Ernst & Young)
Danielle Shainbrown
Bellwether Advisors, LLC; Shainbrown Komin, PLLC
Jessica Smith
BestSelf Behavioral Health
Glenn Spencer
Accelerated Results LLC
TJ Stewart
MDU Netech / Fortified
Aaron Whitehouse
Evans Agency, LLC
Breeann Wilson
Pure Podiatry
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data