We Are Growing For a Purpose
Growth is essential to the YMCA’s mission of strengthening communities. As the needs of the populations we serve continue to evolve, strategic growth enables us to expand our reach, adapt our programs, and enhance our facilities to ensure equitable access for all. Through intentional development, we remain committed to fostering youth development, promoting healthy living, and advancing social responsibility in every community we serve.
Expanded Services
New facilities and programs to reach underserved areas
Improved Facilities
Renovations and expansions of existing facilities
Building Partnerships
Innovative partnerships to maximize impact
Continuing a Vision of Growth
The Last 10 Years
The Last Ten Years of Growth
The expansive growth of North Texas within the last decade has been undeniable. At the Y we know that we must also grow and change to continue to meet the needs of our changing communities. In 2018, recognizing that plans for growth must be intentional and measured, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas enlisted a third-party firm to examine our service area to determine where we should begin our efforts.
Following the year-long study, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Board of Directors and the organization’s leadership approved a growth strategy to renovate existing YMCA locations and to expand the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas’ footprint with new or expanded programs or building facilities.
In the fall of 2023, the Y hired Elise Back to serve as our first VP/Chief Growth Officer. Elise’s background in economic development has propelled the Y to reach those markets we have been unable to reach in the past. Elise's early work has already brought about discussions with new potential partners regarding facilities and programming.
Growth Committee
The Last Ten Years of Growth
"The Growth Committee's focus is to grow our programing and services and to have a presence in communities where we have never been before. By doing so, the Y's growth strategy allows us to reach more communities and to build partnerships with other stakeholders organizations to address community needs and create positive change."
–Jason Kulas
A Growth Committee was established in March of 2024 to help guide and advise the YMCA in their future growth plans including long-term facility planning, improvements, and additions to physical facilities as well as identified innovative and creative partnerships which will drive revenue, expand market share, and have a far-reaching impact on the community it serves. The Committee is comprised of members from the Y Board and external stakeholders representing the development, real estate, financial, nonprofit, legal and local government sectors.
YMCA Growth Committee
- Jason Kulas, Chair
- Julius Blatt
- Monica Lira-Bravo
- Jason Dudley
- Jim Leslie
- Will McNutt
- Jennifer Scripps
- Margaret Spellings
- Jessica W. Thorne
- Karl Zavitkovsky
- Curt Hazelbaker
- Elise Back
- Todd Baker
Meet Elise Back
Serving 6 Regions
The Y of Metro Dallas currently serves Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Palo Pinto, and Rockwall counties.
North Texas By the Numbers:
By 2030, North Texas is projected to become the third largest Metro region in the U.S. – surpassing Chicago. This tremendous growth comes with a number of opportunities for the YMCA!
New person moves every 3.3 minutes to North Texas
New people move every hour to North Texas
429 New people move every day to North Texas
New people move every week to North Texas
Strategic Growth Plan
For nearly 140 years, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas has served the community, relying on local leaders and businesses to support its mission. As North Texas continues to grow, the Y is expanding its reach through strategic investments, facility renovations, and partnerships to better serve evolving community needs. By enhancing programs, forging new collaborations, and increasing impact, the Y is committed to strengthening communities for generations to come.
Targets
Identify markets where the Y does not have a presence
Opportunities
Partner and collaborate with stakeholders who have aligned missions
Implement
New facilities, programs, and services
Growth
Expand our Y footprint, and continue to implement the plan
Take the Next Step – Together
We realize at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas when we build the our next footprint, it will not be a standalone facility but part of something greater than ourselves. It may be part of a college campus, school, or municipal community center. We can achieve more together than alone.
Partners and Collaborators - You’re in Good Company!
The YMCA is renowned for its collaborative and innovative partnerships. At the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, we are actively forging strategic partnerships with corporations, professional sports teams, nonprofits, government agencies, healthcare providers, and educational institutions. These partnerships allow us to amplify our impact and better serve our communities.
Storytelling — how growth is impacting our communities
Our transition into workforce development has been featured in the Dallas Morning News.
