Fundraising | YMCA of Eastern Ontario

Why Give?

In Grade 11, Niya was lost and directionless. She joined a YMCA leadership program where she developed her skills and became active in her community. It changed her life. Now, Niya is a YMCA camp counsellor and is looking forward to starting college. She has the foundation to build a bright future. Thanks to gifts made by YMCA of Kingston donors youth in our community just like Niya have a chance to show their true skills and passion.

There are many ways you can help someone by giving to your local YMCA.

Your donation will benefit your whole community. Research shows that when people feel a sense of belonging, their health improves - physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. And our communities benefit too. There’s less illness, violence and inequality and more giving and happiness.

How much does it take to change someone’s life?

$25
per month

Keep a child safe

Give a child a safe and fun place to go after school at their local YMCA.

$50
per month

Help teens build confidence

Help a youth build confidence and experience nature at YMCA summer camp.

$100
per month

Give families time

Help an entire family enjoy ‘unplugged’ time together at their YMCA.

For more than 160 years we have created centres of community where children, teens and adults can come together to get the support they need to be healthier in spirit, mind and body. Through our financial assistance program, everyone can access the YMCA regardless of their ability to pay the fee.

With your help, we can reverse the trends of chronic disease, childhood obesity, social isolation and remove barriers to health for people across this country.

Together, we can build a healthier and more caring Canada.
Lend your support by making a gift today to your YMCA.


The Foundation of the YMCA of Eastern Ontario

Our purpose is to grow and invest funds; the income from which is to provide stability to the YMCA of Eastern Ontario and to further its mission in building healthy communities.

Our history

During the 2006 AGM of the YMCA, David Beatty, the owner of Brockville-based Canarm Ltd., proposed the establishment of a YMCA foundation and within two years, on September 12, 2008, our YMCA foundation incorporated as an independent registered charity, is governend by it's own independent board of directors. Due to the longstanding commitment to community and vision of David Beatty, Paul Fournier, Don Green & Richard Dumbrille, the YMCA Foundation is in place and ready to serve our community into the future.

By donating to the foundation, together we can create a healthier future for our area residents. We can make safe places to learn, play and grow. We can create a society where all can participate, and everyone is given the opportunity to reach their potential. At the YMCA, we see barriers removed, doors opened and communities succeeding together.

Funds are held in perpetuity and the earnings derived from these investments provides income for the YMCA year after year.

Giving Options

Gifts for the future can be made through bequest, RRSPs/RRIFs or life insurance policies.

Gifts for the Present can be made through cash gifts, publicly traded securities or other marketable assets.

If you are interested in contributing to the foundation, please contact Anna Hudson at: anna.hudson@eo.ymca.ca or 613-342-7961 ext 30

Leaving our Legacy

In the fall of 2015, the Don and Shirley Green Foundation made a significant gift to the YMCA Foundation. A gift that ensures we can welcome hundreds of families and individuals to access YMCA programs and services each year who otherwise would not have the opportunity due to the inability to pay.

“It gives us great pride to be able to invest in our community in this most meaningful way. Knowing that the doors are always open at the YMCA; that children will learn to swim and learn to lead; that families will be supported, means a great deal to us”
- Don & Shirley Green 

Sponsor

The YMCA serves more than 2.25 million people across Canada, and our collective impact at over 1,700 program sites is what truly makes us unique. Our internationally recognized work to reverse the current trends of physical inactivity, childhood obesity, chronic disease, social isolation and youth engagement is rooted in 160 years of building healthier Canadian communities.

We cannot do this work alone. By supporting the YMCA, your organization can help build a healthier community, one person at a time.

If you are interested in sponsoring an event or making a donation, please contact one of our fund development managers and we’ll work with you to identify opportunities that align with your corporate goals.

Please contact Anna Hudson at 613-342-7961 ext 30 or anna.hudson@eo.ymca.ca.


YMCA Annual Giving Campaign

Ignite the Spark

The YMCA of Eastern Ontario is a charity that is passionate about creating opportunities and advancing the well-being of the communities we serve. We do this by developing healthy and successful people who in turn create a positive impact in their neighbourhoods.

Each year, we raise funds to help families and individuals access healthy Y programs delivered in safe, happy, inclusive spaces that go beyond fitness to promote positive connections.

When you give to the Y, you ignite hope, positivity and kindness. You spark leadership in a teen, a sense of belonging in someone new to our community, joy in a child and healthy outcomes for a senior. When you give to the Y, your gift sparks opportunity.

When you give to the YMCA of Eastern Ontario, you ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances, have an opportunity to access healthy programs, safe spaces and a welcoming community.

Ignite the Spark


Send a Kid to Camp

The YMCA excels at providing young people with opportunities to have fun and develop lifelong skills, while realizing the best in themselves and others. As Canada’s largest camp provider, the YMCA offers outstanding life development experiences for more than 125,000 children each year.

On average, the YMCA of Eastern Ontario subsidizes one in five children who attend our summer camps. But we can only do this with your help.

Each spring, we reach out to our community to raise funds to send children to camp.

Camp sponsorships are also available.

Send a kid to camp


Gord Brown Memorial Golf Tournament

Mark your calendars for this year’s Gord Brown Memorial Golf Tournament on Wednesday, August 21 at Smuggler’s Glen Golf Course, nestled in the beautiful Thousand Islands region. This golf tournament celebrates the late MP Gord Brown and recognizes his tremendous work on behalf of people in most need in our region.

United Way Leeds & Grenville and the YMCA of Eastern Ontario are again collaborating on the event with money raised going into local programming, ensuring that our community continues to receive support provided by both charities.

2024 Gord Brown


George E. Smith Memorial Fire Truck Pull

The YMCA of Eastern Ontario’s annual fire truck pull as become a community favourite with teams raising money for the Y and competing for bragging rights, year-after-year.

This year, the Y is honoured to present the George E. Smith Memorial Fire Truck Pull in recognition of George Smith’s many contributions to Brockville and surrounding area. His support of the YMCA has touched us all as a long-time volunteer, as a chair and president of the Brockville and Area YMCA Board of Directors, as a committee member helping to raise funds for a new Y building, and as a member and chair of many annual giving campaigns. He was named the YMCA Volunteer of the Year in 2008, receiving the Dr. Stanley “Y” Values Award.

The YMCA is pleased to recognize Mr. Smith’s lifelong contribution to the health and wellness of the Brockville and area community with the naming of this special event.

2024 Fire Truck Pull


More Ways to Give

Whether you're an individual or a corporation, there are many ways for you to give to the YMCA.

Every donation to the YMCA goes towards helping people in our communities live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Whether you want to provide ongoing support, pay tribute to someone or leave a legacy, there are many ways to give to the YMCA in addition to a one-time donation.

Monthly gifts

Monthly giving is the easiest and most convenient way to make a difference to your YMCA. Simply select the option to “Make this a monthly gift” on our donation form and your gift will continue to make an impact throughout the year.

Planned giving and bequests

Including the YMCA in your estate or long-term financial planning lets your passion for improving the health of Canadians live on for future generations. If you would like to leave a bequest, gift of life insurance, securities or other options, we can help you plan your gift.

Make a gift in honour or tribute of someone special

A donation to support the work of the YMCA is a wonderful way to honour or remember someone special. To do so, on our donation form, simply select whether to make your gift “In Honour” or “In Memory” of someone. At your request, we can also send a card to the honouree or their family to share the news of your gift.

Stocks and securities donations

Giving a donation of stocks or securities can provide increased tax benefits while still making a difference. If you are interested in giving publicly traded stocks, securities or mutual funds, please speak with your financial advisor or counsel or head to CanadaHelps to manage it yourself.