Annual Support

Each year there are families who come into the YMCA to participate in programs, but they cannot afford the costs. The YMCA has a long-standing policy of never turning away anyone due to inability to pay. In order to provide funding for financial assistance, the Y conducts an Annual Support Campaign within the YMCA’s service area. These funds go directly to provide financial assistance or “scholarships”. Last year we provided scholarships to over 900 individuals and families for programs including 3,210 weeks of before and after school childcare, 270 weeks of summer camp, and 163 months of preschool childcare, as well as subsidies for participation in swim team, gym team, youth sports and membership activities.

Members and friends of the YMCA volunteer their time and effort in order to raise as much money as possible because they believe strongly in the commitment to never turn anyone away due inability to pay. The campaign runs year round, January through December, because the need is year round. Several hundred individuals and businesses make contributions annually because they believe in the vital importance of providing children and families with safe, sensible, and fun activities in order to steer their lives in the right direction. Our programs help build character and offer healthy resources for development of spirit, mind and body.

The Y invites you to invest in the future of our communities by donating to the financial assistance program through our Annual Support Campaign. It is easy to be a contributor. You can make a tax deductible contribution by sending a check by mail or dropping it off at the YMCA, made payable to: YMCA of Greater Westfield (in note section please write – Annual Support Campaign), 67 Court Street, Westfield, MA 01085.

Together, everyone can make the future a little brighter by helping children and families participate in the many programs and activities of the YMCA of Greater Westfield.

For more information on the Annual Support Campaign or the Financial Assistance Policy, please contact the YMCA at 413-568-8631.

Heritage Club: Preserve the future by making a planned gift

Most people go through life with the best of intentions when it comes to charitable giving. The biggest problem they face however, is just how to turn those intentions into actions while still maintaining adequate resources for living. Most people also tend to procrastinate, to put things off until it is too late to do something they wanted to do. Oftentimes donors want to make what is called a “planned” gift to the YMCA. A planned gift is one which is larger than any other they have ever given and is usually “planned” to be given at the conclusion of one’s life. You should know that there are several possibilities when considering a planned gift to the YMCA of Greater Westfield: such as a bequest, a gift of property (i.e. real estate, art, jewelry, etc.), life insurance, securities, a share of the residue of your estate, the remainder of a trust, and many others. Your financial planner or attorney can advise you on what would be best for you, so that you fulfill all your philanthropic and estate planning goals. Whether you are single, married, raising a family, retired, or planning your retirement, your future and the future of those you care about most should be reflected in the plans you make today. The best plan will balance what you want to accomplish for yourself, your family, and your charitable interests. Each planned giving vehicle offers different options, whether it be income orientation, frequency of payment to the donor, beneficiary income, taxation, income tax deduction, final disposition, etc. The best way to begin is by doing some pre-planning, Make a list of the people you want to include in your plan – family, special friends, and charitable interests. Then list all the property you wish to distribute – securities, real estate, life insurance, retirement plans, and personal possessions. Next, consider ways to match the people with the property. Finally, list any professionals may need to consult – your attorney, banker, financial planner, accountant, investment advisor or representatives of charities. With thorough planning it is possible to meet multiple goals. By choosing the best property to fund gifts, their timing, and the methods used to make them, it is possible to make sizable gifts with a big impact while preserving or actually enhancing your financial well-being. You can also arrange a planned gift so that your support will continue in perpetuity.