The Boothbay Region YMCA is pleased to announce that it’s A Greater Impact campaign has exceeded its fundraising goal of $14.5 million. Due to COVID, escalating prices, and the need to change scope, the Y’s capital campaign was divided into three capital phases:   

-Phase I: Waterfront Pavilion and Main Facility Renovations (2018 to 2022) 

-Phase II: Marylouise Tandy Cowan Fieldhouse Renovations, New Busses, and an expanded solar array (2023) 

-Phase III: Child Enrichment Center and McEvoy Lodge Renovations (2024) 

During each of these capital campaign phases, individuals also donated to the Annual Fund, the Camp K Fund, and to the endowment to support the long-term sustainability of the Y. 

The capital campaign began in 2018 and has received donations from over 500 individuals and families, with gifts that ranged from a two-dollar bill gifted from Jasper Browne, a 7-year-old Newcastle resident, to the first grant of $3.5 million from the AR & ML Tandy Foundation. Two significant matches inspired participation in the campaign. The first was from an anonymous couple who matched all gifts and pledges, dollar-for-dollar, up to $2 million in 2022; the match was a great incentive for gifts and pledges and the challenge was met in September 2023.  

The second, “The Challenge for our Next Generation” was an initiative created in the spring of 2024 by a group of individuals who pooled their gifts to match all new donations up to $750,000. The Y is thrilled to announce that this second challenge was recently met thanks to a second anonymous couple. “We know how important and impactful the Boothbay Region Y is to all the town and peninsula residents,” the couple remarked in a written statement, “it impacts young and old, year-round and summer, and across all socio-economic groups. We hope that the Y staff can now call a VERY successful campaign to a close and rededicate your valuable time to the operations of the Boothbay Y that bring so much value to the community.”  

In recognition of all donors, the Y will list every individual, family, foundation, and business who supported the A Greater Impact campaign on the wall in the front lobby. Names will be randomized to emphasize that all gifts matter as they come in all forms, in all sizes, from a wide range of supporters.  

An event to celebrate all who supported the campaign will take place in the spring. Renovations to the outdoor playground at the Child Enrichment Center are currently underway and the major renovations to the inside of the Center will begin in Spring of 2025. Renovations to McEvoy Lodge will begin after the 2025 summer camp season.  

The Y remains in service to the community and is deeply grateful to the individuals who support its mission of healthy living, youth development and social responsibility. For further information, please contact Allyson Goodwin, Director of Development at agoodwin@brymca.org or (7027) 633-2855 x290.