Mott Foundation grant to YMCA of Greater Flint helps organization continue to provide vital services

FLINT, Michigan -- A $1 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to the YMCA of Greater Flint to help the organization maintain its services in the community as it deals with significant financial loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two-year grant will allow the YMCA to continue to serve residents through its downtown Flint and Pierson Road facilities, as well as Camp Copneconic, while simultaneously planning for long-term sustainability.
 
“The YMCA has been a key part of the Flint community for more than a century, providing residents with access to recreational opportunities and essential services,” said Ridgway White, president and CEO of the Mott Foundation, in a news release. “During the pandemic, these services are more important than ever. We hope this grant will not only allow the YMCA to continue serving the community during a time of crisis, but also provide a little more breathing room for the organization to chart its path forward.”

State-mandated closures of gyms and recreation facilities during the pandemic to protect public health caused the YMCA to be closed for much of 2020. Upon reopening, they still had to abide by reduced capacity limits, and last year’s summer programs, including Camp Copneconic, were canceled. Those factors all significantly decreased revenue, but the organization still provided vital basic services, including serving more than 135,000 meals and snacks to the community and had nearly 400 young people participate in virtual programs. Camp Copneconic has also become a School Year Day Camp site for Flint area students who are participating in virtual learning.

“We are incredibly grateful for this grant because it will let us continue to help Flint and Genesee County survive the pandemic,” said Shelly Hilton, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Flint, said in a news release. “We can help to heal the mind, body and spirit of our residents.”

Since 1961, the headquarters building in downtown Flint has provided essential services for physical and mental health and wellness, while also serving as an important gathering place for the community. The facility provides health and fitness opportunities for individuals, families, school groups and aquatics teams, as well as afterschool programs for area youth.
 
The YMCA Pierson Road facility opened in 1984 and provides similar services for residents of the greater Flint area. YMCA also operates Camp Copneconic, which offers camp experiences and summer and school-based programs for area youth.
 
Short-term Mott support will allow the YMCA’s board of directors to keep the facilities open and available to the Flint community during the pandemic.
 
As a part of its pandemic response, the YMCA also provides free meals daily at three locations in the city of Flint. Learn more at flintymca.com/feeding. To learn more about all other programs, visit flintymca.com.