$1 MILLION TYKESON MATCH EXCEEDED
Meeting the match marks the end of the $5 million THIS IS Y Community Phase of the Capital Campaign for a new Y.
Eugene, Sept. 30, 2022 — Thanks to donors who share a vision for improving health, expanding wellness services and supporting families and their children through the new Y, the $1 million match offered by the Tykeson Family Foundation has been met!
This marks the completion of the $5 million Community Phase of the Capital Campaign for a new Y, just 10 months after it launched.
“This is a testament to this community’s vision of a future with a thriving Y as a flagship location for healthy living,” said Kendra Goldberg, trustee of the Chambers Family Foundation and co-chair of the Community Phase. “Our town punches above its weight when it comes to generosity. Amazing things happen when this area rallies around a shared mission. I am humbled and awed by their support.”
Trillium Community Health Plan generously donated $100,000, which will be recognized in the Y’s Rainbow Preschool Room.
“Trillium and the Y have a shared commitment to reduce health disparities, promote health equity and improve overall community health,” said Sarah Kelley Brewer, Plan President & CEO, Trillium. “We donated because the new Y will help meet the goals of Live Healthy Lane, a community-based effort to improve the health and well-being of those who live, learn, work and play in Lane County. Trillium anticipates the future Y will have a direct impact on thousands of families and individuals in our community.”
Expanded health programming, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s support and falls prevention, is only possible in a larger, more flexible building.
“Trillium and many other foundations, individuals and families appreciate the important work being done at the Y and understand how critical it is to move into this new facility for the success of our community,” said Julia Stiltner, trustee of the Chambers Family Foundation and co-chair of the Community Phase. “The momentum from the $1 million Tykeson Family Foundation match allowed this community to raise $5 million in record time!”
The final 2 gifts came from longtime Y members Jim Northrop and Richard Hildreth.
“We are incredibly grateful to Amy Tykeson and the Tykeson Family Foundation for their incredible contributions to this project,” said Chief Development Officer Danielle Uhlhorn. “It is particularly special that Y members brought this match to a close. Their selflessness and unwavering support of the Y is a blessing to Lane County, which will benefit from new and improved disease prevention, health management and wellness programs, as well as expanded youth programming.”
More than 825 donors raised $5,029,292 for the Community Phase, bringing the total raised and pledged to $42.3 million for the new Y campaign. Including the purchase of the land, the total project cost is estimated to be completed for approximately $48 million.
“We are humbled and inspired by the hundreds of donors who helped make the construction of the new Y a reality. We hope to reduce the financial gap with additional grants, federal dollars and foundation support currently in the works,” said CEO Brian Steffen. “Our goal is to open this new Y debt-free, allowing us to invest money directly to programs that serve the community and financial assistance that supports our most vulnerable residents.”
The new 75,000-square-foot facility is designed to serve thousands more in the decades to come, as well as eliminate inefficient or unusable spaces. It will feature:
- A fully ADA-accessible, flexible floor plan that can change as needed
- Activity centers for academic tutoring, maker spaces and learning labs
- A teaching kitchen for families and individuals to gain nutritional knowledge
- An expanded Health & Wellness Center that includes an indoor track and cycle room
- An expanded Aquatics Center to teach youth safety skills, support rehabilitation and preventative care, and a splash pad for introducing water to toddlers
- The addition of critical programs like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s support, and Falls Prevention
- The highest level of seismic standards so the building can be re-purposed as a shelter after a devastating earthquake
- The new Y is scheduled to open in December 2023.
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About the Y
The Eugene Family YMCA is one of the region's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Each year across Lane County, the Y engages more than 18,000 people regardless of age, gender, income or background—to nurture the potential of children, teens and seniors; improve health and well-being; and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. In 2021, the Eugene Family YMCA awarded $451,599 in financial assistance. The YMCA has been serving the Eugene-area since 1887.
