The Gallatin Valley YMCA began in the spring of 2000 with the birth of a child and a desire to honor a grandparent who found his way within the walls of a YMCA six decades earlier. Inspired by both, co-founders Bratton and Kelly DuBose reached out to the YMCA National Headquarters in Chicago to inquire about starting a YMCA in the Gallatin Valley. These important details demonstrate the foundation of our mission--to provide a community center where people of all ages can grow and play together.Upon receiving the hefty manila envelope packed with paperwork, the first community meetings were held, leaders were interviewed, and a core group of luminaries formed the first executive committee. In 2003 we launched a Founder's Campaign, raising $250,000. This enabled us to develop simple, collaborative programs including sandlot baseball, flag football, Easter egg hunts, and a 4-H partnership. We brought our first CEO on board and were granted our official charter from Y-USA in 2006.Through negotiations spearheaded by Mr. DuBose, the Gallatin Valley YMCA received a 60-year lease of 17 acres nestled between schools within a 100 acre park in Bozeman. In 2008, Mr. DuBose secured an anonymous donation of $1 million dollars which allowed us to purchase seven acres adjacent to the leased land.The Gallatin Valley YMCA currently serves the youth in communities reaching as far as Livingston and Three Forks through a variety of character-building programs including flag football, basketball, volleyball, summer day camp, residential summer camp, CIT, Youth in Government and other family events throughout the year. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are proud to provide scholarships to families in need, ensuring that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay.The great responsibility to provide a safe place for families to build relationships and connect is what has fueled the passion of the Gallatin Valley YMCA for the last decade. We are having a lot of fun - come join us!
Is The YMCA A Non-Profit Organization?
Yes, the Gallatin Valley YMCA is a local, community-based non-profit organization formed by volunteers in 2003. A volunteer board provides direction to help the YMCA respond to community needs. Tax deductible contributions from the community make it possible to construct YMCA facilities as well as provide financial assistance so everyone can participate in YMCA membership and programs.
Do You Have A Facility?
Yes, the Gallatin Valley YMCA is a program facility located at 524 Professional Drive off of Main Street. If you have lived in other areas of the country, you know that YMCA’s are great places for the community to keep fit with great gyms, pools, fitness areas and child care facilities. Although our facility does not offer a pool or gym space currently, we have secured 17 acres of land in the Baxter Meadows Area and hope in the near future to begin construction of a new YMCA that will serve as a great place for the community to practice healthy living.
What does my YMCA membership include?
Becoming a member and supporting your Gallatin Valley YMCA is easy and affordable. Annual memberships offer you many benefits including:
Program Discounts
Early Registration Priority
Free Family Fun Nights throughout the year
Space Rental Opportunity for parties and meetings (when not being utilized by programs) Hourly fees apply
Participation in the AWAY program- The A.W.A.Y. program is a national program that has the philosophy that when a person enrolls in a YMCA, he or she becomes a member of a nationwide association of people that helps build strong kids. strong families and strong communities. and, therefore, when away from home, on business or vacation, each member will be warmly welcomed by all other participating YMCAs in the United States. Participation in this program is voluntary. Some restrictions apply.
How Does The YMCA Raise Funds?
Each year the Gallatin Valley YMCA must secure funds from donors, community partners, foundations and corporate sponsors to ensure quality programming, and that every family/child wishing to participate in our programs may do so. Beginning in March, the YMCA holds a family fund raising dinner dance called the SnowBall with all funds raised going directly to underwrite our programming. Following the SnowBall fund raising event, members, volunteers and the YMCA embark on the annual Strong Kids campaign. The Strong Kids campaign asks community members and businesses to support the youth programs with a single monetary donation. Each year, the Gallatin Valley YMCA depends on the charitable donations from our community so that we may continue to offer all our programs to each and every child regardless of ability to pay.
