YMCA Fact Sheet


  • The Sammamish Family Y is a branch of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, a 501(c)3 charity. Founded in 1876, the YMCA of Greater Seattle operates 13 branches and two overnight camps throughout King and south Snohomish counties, which include 11 swimming pools.
  • The YMCA of Greater Seattle is a membership-based organization, with a daily membership of approximately 120,000 people representing 40,000 households.
  • Roughly half of Y members are children and teenagers. Popular youth and teen programs coming to Sammamish through the new Community Center may include: swim lessons, camp, youth leadership, after school enrichment, Earth Service Corp, karate, youth sports, caravan trips, dance, adaptive programs for special needs children, creative movement and arts. 
  • While branch statistics vary, approximately 25% of Y members ask for and receive financial assistance because they could not afford to participate without it.
  • The YMCA of Greater Seattle raises more than $9M in annual charitable contributions, receives more than $12M in government grants and receives more than $700K in United Way funding. These contributions, grants and funds enable children, teens and families to pursue their full potential through programs and services provided by the Y.
  • The Sammamish Family Y raises $60,000 annually through the support of the community to assist local youth and families.
  • The Y will NOT be receiving a $25M gift from the City of Sammamish, nor will it own the planned Sammamish Community & Aquatics Center. The City of Sammamish will own the facility and the Y will operate the facility.
  • The Y will be contributing $5M to the construction and approximately $1M for equipment, furniture and start-up costs for the planned Community Center.
  • To build a new facility of its own, the Y would need to raise $17M. The Y needs a partner and the City is that partner.  In our 2009 “Its All About Community” Campaign in which the Sammamish YMCA was  to be built the economy changed and we had to eliminate one branch.  It was Sammamish.  If we don’t have a partner(city) it would be very unlikely that we would build a new facility in Sammamish. 
  • The Y is a fiscally responsible organization. It pays sales taxes and payroll taxes.

Y Membership Benefits
  • Full membership privileges at 13 Ys in Greater Seattle. Visit www.seattleymca.org   
  • Enriching programs for every age and ability: Adults, Teens, Youth, Family, Seniors 
  • Dozens of Group Exercise classes for all fitness levels
  • Free New Member Fitness Orientation
  • Free Child Watch while you work out for Family Membership Types
  • State-of-the-art Fitness Equipment
  • Indoor Heated Swimming Pools
  • Discount rates and advanced registration for programs like Swimming Lessons and Child Care
  • AWAY Network: wherever you travel in the U.S., your Y membership privileges go with you
Everyone is Welcome
The Y is a membership organization open to all people, welcoming women and men, girls and boys of all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, abilities and financial circumstances. Branches and programs embrace diversity, reflecting the needs and composition of the communities served. Financial assistance, to the extent possible, is available for those in need.

The Greatest Benefit
With the Y, you’re more than a fitness facility member, you’re part of a cause: strengthening community. By joining the Y, you’re bringing about meaningful change in your own life and participating in a strong commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, improving health and well-being for all ages and giving back and supporting your neighbors in need.