Our Y Today

The Knox County YMCA is a 501c3 charitable nonprofit organization whose mission is to utilize Christian principles to instill character development. We believe is the four core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and practice these values in our daily lives. The Knox County YMCA was founded in Galesburg in 1866; 15 short years after Thomas Sullivan founded the first YMCA in the United States (Boston, MA). Since its inception, the YMCA has been providing recreation programming for the mind, body and spirit.

The Y is one of the nation's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Y's engage 21 million men, women and children-regardless of age, income or background-to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.  Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.

Download the Knox County YMCA Code of Conduct

The Knox County YMCA is a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Our mission is to strengthen our community by improving the quality of life and inspiring individuals and families to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body. With the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility as our guide, we believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. That's why every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

At the Y, we welcome everyone. When you join the Y, you belong to a community of men, women and children who strive every day to be healthy, confident, connected and secure. When you give to the Y, you continue to strengthen our community and move us all forward by providing financial assistance for people who need us the most. When you volunteer at the Y, you take an active role in making a meaningful, enduring impact right in your own community. When you advocate for the Y, you join a diverse movement committed to supporting and serving our community through promoting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Together, We Make a Difference.

We currently serve over 8,000 members from Knox County. The Knox County YMCA has a presence in six schools throughout Galesburg and Knoxville, providing Before and After School Programs and engaging over 200 youth with positive experiences daily. Every seven weeks, over 100 youth are taught swim lessons at our YMCA. Over 1,300 kids participate in our youth sports annually. The Early Learning Center, our licensed daycare, provides care for 44 children each day. Solutions is a year-round intrusive enrichment program designed for at-risk teens in our community. Solutions serves approximately 200 students in Galesburg at Churchill Junior High, Lombard Middle School and Galesburg High School. 

How We Are Funded

YMCA funding is generated from membership and program fees, individual and corporate donors, foundations and grants. The Annual Support Campaign raises money for financial assistance to ensure that no one is turned away for lack of funds in an atmosphere of inclusion and support.

Organizational Structure

The Knox County YMCA is a nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer Board. The YMCA Board is a governance body and the YMCA is managed and operated by a management team

Our Success Stories