Treasure Valley Family YMCA Receives Major Donation from Mackenzie Scott

(BOISE, ID) – The Treasure Valley Family YMCA has received a $10 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in support of the organization’s work to strengthen communities. The Treasure Valley Family YMCA is among the 384 U.S. organizations that have received a total of $4.16 billion from Scott over the past four months. These organizations were selected from an initial group of 6,490 organizations that were considered for funding. The selection was the result of a rigorous process that spanned several months. This process began in July when Ms. Scott asked a team of advisors to help her accelerate her 2020 giving through immediate support to people suffering the economic effects of the crisis. They took a data-driven approach to identifying organizations with, “strong leadership teams and results.” (Please see Ms. Scott’s blog here.)   

Like many other nonprofits, the Y is facing financial hardships due to the COVID-19 crisis. With most facilities closed for two months last spring, and steps taken to ensure the safety of staff, members and participants, the Y has seen millions in lost revenue since March. As a result, the Y has been faced with devastating decisions regarding furloughs, layoffs, program cancellations, and taking on debt. 

“With everything that we’ve experienced: the blow from the pandemic, the loss in our earned revenue, and also the YMCA’s inability to qualify for the PPP (Paycheck Protection) program, this is an amazing gift at the right time that will allow us to sustain and magnify our work,” said David Duro, President and CEO, Treasure Valley Family YMCA.

The organization will spend the next several months looking at how to best invest the funds. “We will continue to be rigorous stewards of every contributed and earned dollar to ensure that we maximize the good we can do in the community” said Duro.  Members of the YMCA Board of Directors and staff will be meeting to decide how to best use the gift to meet short term needs and long terms goals. This pandemic has been a wrecking ball in the lives of those in our community who are already struggling. The gift will help the Y continue to offer programs that nurture youth, engage people in healthy living and inspire a commitment to social responsibility while making sure that no one is turned away due to the inability to pay. 

“The Y provides programs that help children develop socially, emotionally and academically, including the School Day Plus program that created safe places for the virtual learning made necessary by the pandemic. We connect people and help them learn to be healthier, even when dealing with the effects of diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The Y is for all, and we provide a space where people from all backgrounds can come together and learn to value and respect one another. It is this work that we understand is highly valued by Ms. Scott. We will work to sustain and expand the reach and impact of programs like these,” Duro said.

“Ms. Scott’s generous gifts will help ensure this work can continue in the communities we serve, now and as we rebuild from the COVID crisis. We hope, as Ms. Scott does, that her generosity is a catalyst for additional public and private support for the work of the Y and other community-serving organizations,” Duro said.

Learn more about the Y’s COVID-19 relief efforts and how you can help at https://www.ymcatvidaho.org/support-our-cause/donate/

###

ABOUT THE TREASURE VALLEY FAMILY YMCA

Established in 1891, the Treasure Valley Family YMCA (the Y) is a cause-driven, nonprofit organization that works to strengthen the foundation of our community by developing successful youth, engaging people in healthy living and instilling a commitment to social responsibility. Annually, it operates over 100 programs that serve 110,000 youth and families throughout its 4 facilities, 440-acre summer camp and 24 child development sites. The Y believes all people deserve the chance to achieve their highest potential; therefore, it does not turn anyone away due to an inability to pay. The Treasure Valley Family YMCA provides over $4 million in financial assistance every year so all may participate in our life-changing programs and services. www.ymcatvidaho.org

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Jennifer Dike

Director of Marketing and Communications

Sponsors