Philanthropy Campaigns

Annual Campaign

Funds raised through the YMCA’s Annual Campaign support the daily operations of our organization, including financial assistance and many programs and services.

Through the annual campaign a donor can designate a gift to go towards any of the following:
1. General (The YMCA can use the funds as needed)
2. YMCA centre location for financial assistance
3. YMCA of Sierra Leone (our YMCA’s international partner)
4. Youth Services
5. Learning Services
6. Day Camp
7. Child Care
8. Camp Kitchikewana
9. Immigrant Services

Displaced Ukrainians Emergency Needs Fund

As a result of the advocacy of a group of community volunteers, the Displaced Ukrainian Emergency Needs Fund has launched to address the urgent needs of Ukrainian people who hold the status of Canadian-Ukraine Authorizations for Emergency Travel (CUAET). YMCA Immigrant Services is working with CUAET holders to help them settle in Simcoe County. The fund aims to provide financial assistance beyond what is provided through government programs for essential needs, including housing, food, eye care, dental care and medical expenses, as well as other emergencies that may arise during the settlement process.

Click here to read the story of one Ukrainian mother’s journey to Canada on our blog. Click here to donate to the Displaced Ukrainians Emergency Needs Fund.

Read how this fund was established through the words of community volunteer, Janie Harris:

‘…Ukrainian women’, many of whom do not speak English, have found themselves alone, with no support system, in a strange country called Canada, with their equally traumatized children. Their husbands have not been allowed to leave Ukraine since the 2022 invasion by Russian forces of their homeland. The women live in fear that they will never see their loved ones again…

Often these women, work at low-paying jobs with no benefits … because of their lack of English. Child care is expensive and difficult to come by, and housing costs are high. They live on the verge of homelessness…

…the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka’s Immigrant Services [have created] a fund specifically for Ukrainians that would cover expenses for prescription drugs, eyeglasses, and dental care, not covered by other programs… A tax receipt will be issued by the Y.

All the money stays in the Simcoe/Muskoka [area] and is only available to displaced Ukrainians. Having these specific medical needs covered by the Y’s ‘Displaced Ukrainians Emergency Needs Fund’ is a lifeline to Ukrainian women and children.

Camp Kitchikewana 100^th Anniversary Endowment Campaign

The YMCA Camp Kitchikewana 100th Anniversary Endowment Fund will ensure the continuing development of children in mind, body and spirit while strengthening Kitchikewana’s legacy for another 100 years of camping memories. Income from the fund will help finance camp program innovation, support programming and camper financial assistance, and augment facilities and capital projects spending.

Visit our YMCA Camp Kitchikewana Alumni and Friends, 100^th Anniversary page here.

Camp Kitchikewana – Dr. Bill Bryant Memorial Fund

In memory of our great friend and Camp Kitchikewana Alumnus, Dr. Bill Bryant, some friends, colleagues and fellow campers have launched this memorial fund to support the much-needed enhancements to the 20-year-old medical centre and Bill’s beloved Camp Kitchikewana. lt is our hope that through collective efforts, we can honour our dear friend and ensure the Wellness Centre can undergo a major renovation that will serve the needs of medical professionals, Kitchikewana campers and staff, well into the future.

For more information, please visit the Memorial Fund page here.

To view the Dr. Bill Bryant Memorial Fund Celebration Summary, please click here.

Barrie Capital Campaign

100 Reasons Y Campaign to build a New Barrie YMCA (www.100reasonsY.ca)
This will be a new kind of Y – a hub that will house traditional Y programs while supporting other opportunities for the public, our membership, and our community partners.

Planned Giving

A planned or legacy gift ensures you’ll continue supporting the causes close to you in the future. If you plan for your legacy during your lifetime, you can see first-hand the difference your support will make for many children, youth, and families across Simcoe County, Muskoka, and the District of Parry Sound. A planned gift can be made to any of the campaigns described above.
Learn more here.

Donor Recognition Wall

We would like to celebrate the individuals, businesses, foundations and anonymous donors who made financial contributions to the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka’s 2021 Annual Campaign (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021). Donors believe in the YMCA mission and make a difference in their communities by giving back through the Y. Thank you to all of those listed below, whose generous contributions totaled $500 or more.

For more information, please visit our Donor Recognition Wall page here.

Together, we are building healthy communities.

YMCA of SimcoeMuskoka - Conference Finalist Badge

We are proud to be recognized as a finalist in the Charity Village 2022 awards for Best Fundraising Campaign!