BRAND REVITALIZATION

New Update! If you are interested in exploring our new Brand Architecture, where you can see how swim, sports and play for youth, family time, Bible study and volunteerism all fit into the new Y, please click here.

New Update! Check out the NEW Y :30 spot!

The Y is about changing lives for the better. We view participation in our programs and services as a means to a greater end. Therefore, through our rebranding effort, we want to help our communities learn more about our work so we can help our communities learn and grow.

By simplifying how we describe our programs, we hope it will be apparent that everything we do is designed to nurture the potential of children and teens (Youth Development), improve health and well-being (Healthy Living) and motivate people to support their neighbors and the larger community (Social Responsibility).

About the Y Brand

Helpful FAQs

What is all this about the Y rebranding?

The Y has long been a respected nonprofit, but many people do not realize the impact the Y has on the members and communities it engages, so we are clarifying what we are all about.

What do you mean?

Ys are different in every community, but all Ys focus on three areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. We want people to know that we exist to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve our health and well-being and give back and support our neighbors. We are nonprofit and we are cause-driven.

What about the C in YMCA? Are you downplaying our Christian emphasis?

Not at all. Each Y incorporates our Christian heritage as appropriate for the desires of their community and, of course, we all promote the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Our Judeo-Christian mission has not and will not change.

Why would you change your logo? Everybody knows the Y logo!

Everyone does recognize the Y name and logo. Unfortunately, they do not connect the logo with the greater work and impact of the Y beyond swimming and recreation. That is why we are revitalizing our brand--to better educate people about our commitment as a nonprofit organization--to help people learn, grow and thrive. The logo change helps us signal a change and have that conversation-- like we are doing right now.

The Y logo through history

New update! Meet the new Y logo!

Did our Y have any input in this decision/process?

The national office led the effort in terms of research and testing, and Ys were asked for input at several junctures during the process. We are excited about what the change can mean for Ys and the people we serve.

How will we benefit locally?

We believe with the increased understanding of what the Y does and its impact, we can help nurture more kids, improve more community overall health and offer opportunities to connect with and help our neighbors.

So what else is going to change around here?

Well, rebranding takes time--two-to-four years, but we are all trying to do this together--Ys across the country. Our look and feel and logo will change, you will see and hear about our areas of focus--youth development, healthy living and social responsibility--and we will be talking more about why having a Y in this community is so valuable and the difference our programs make for kids, individuals and families.

The Y by the numbers:

There are more than 2,600 locations in 10,000 communities across the country. 21 million people (12 million adults and 9 million youth) of all ages, incomes, backgrounds and abilities come to the Y to learn, grow and thrive. Kids, parents, individuals, and business and community leaders make up the Y’s 500,000 volunteers 20,000 full time staff.