Christmas came early for the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. The organization has received the largest gift in its history – a $10 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. MacKenzie Scott has donated $4.2 billion in the last four months to 384 organizations, including the Dallas YMCA, across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. to combat the impact of the pandemic.
Recognized as the third wealthiest woman in the world by Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index, MacKenzie Scott has dedicated her wealth to helping others, and accelerated her giving in recent months to “support people suffering the economic effects of the crisis.” More information can be found here on the impact of her charitable work.
“We are blown away to be one of the recipients of this transformational gift and be recognized on a national stage for the work our amazing staff and volunteers have done this year,” said Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “Throughout this devastating pandemic, the Dallas YMCA quickly pivoted to provide Emergency Child Care to essential workers on the frontlines, wellness checks and grocery delivery to seniors, meals to those in need and blood drives to support local hospitals. I am so proud that even through difficult times, the Dallas YMCA has stepped up to serve others.”
Since March, the Dallas YMCA has served more than 46,000 people through our Catalyst Initiative (the Y’s COVID response program). The Dallas YMCA has provided 181,874 pounds of produce to people in need, 51,907 meals, served more than 3,300 children of essential workers in Emergency Child Care, distributed 450 laptops so kids could learn virtually and more than 800 school supplies.
In 2021, the Dallas YMCA will launch a new plan to grow post-COVID and meet the needs of our most vulnerable communities that in many cases, have been magnified by COVID. Some of this work has already started through our Catalyst Initiative. The YMCA plans to launch a campaign that will allow us to revitalize southern Dallas’ Park South Family Y and Moorland Family Y at Oak Cliff to serve the urgent and long-term needs in these communities, expand critical mental health outreach and end childhood drowning. To learn more about the YMCA’s impact, please visit www.ymcadallas.org/supportthey
