by Donna Katzman, Director of Development, North Penn YMCA
I was recently at a meeting with other non-profit professionals and we were asked to stand up and introduce ourselves, and then share something about our organization that might surprise other people.
When it was my turn, I stood up and said, “My name is Donna Katzman and I am the Development Director for North Penn YMCA. Something that I think might surprise other people about the Y is that we are a non-profit.”
I went on to explain how most people think of the Y as a gym, or a place to learn how to swim. And that’s all correct. We are all of those things…but we are so much more than that. We are a community-benefit organization whose purpose is to strengthen community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose, and each other.
That’s why we offer financial assistance. We believe that everyone deserves to have access to our programs and services, regardless of their ability to pay.
After the meeting, I walked to the parking lot with a couple of colleagues from other organizations who both sheepishly admitted that they did not realize the Y was a non-profit. We continued to chat and they were even more surprised when I told them that in 2019, nearly 13 percent of our members received some sort of financial assistance. That would not be possible without the support of donors to our Annual Campaign.
For more information on our Annual Campaign or to donate, click here. If you cannot afford the full cost of a YMCA program or membership, click here to apply for financial assistance.