This past summer when the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation issued the challenge to support the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas for its historic Park South Family YMCA, the deadline for the match grant was Sunday, October 1. And, boy, did it get a response — more than $16M as a result!
Thanks to the match opportunity, nearly 100 donors participated including Crystal Charity Ball, Moody Foundation of Galveston, The Wang Foundation, Roy and Christine Sturgis Trust and Texas Capital Bank. That was in addition to seed funders like $3M from The Reese-Jones Foundation and $1M from the Hoblitzelle Foundation and Oncor Electric Delivery Co.
Other funders of $250,000 or more include: Hillcrest Foundation, The Constantin Foundation, Hamon Charitable Foundation, John and Susie Adams, The Addy Foundation and The Perot Foundation.
According to YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas President/CEO Curt Hazelbaker, “We’re incredibly grateful for the community’s support and for the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation. Their contributions will ensure the Park South Family YMCA continues to be a beacon in the community. The Park South community deserves to have the tools and resources not only for today’s generation but for the future generations as well…”
Thanks to funding, the new Park South Family YMCA will include a dedicated wing for preschoolers with its own entry, special spaces for seniors and the community to gather for events and classes, a new pool to host swim meets and water exercise programs, and a modern fitness center and lobby.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, “The Mabee Foundation has dedicated itself to supporting local communities and organizations focused on education, humanitarian services, healthcare, and cultural and religious outreach, providing grants totaling over $1.5 billion over its lifetime. In order to be eligible, a nonprofit must have 40% of fundraising met, operate in one of six qualifying states, and begin construction within two years of the satisfying grant challenge.”
As Mabee Foundation Executive Director Mike Goeke said, “The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation is deeply honored and proud to support organizations like the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, through a challenge grant where we can ignite fundraising to finish a brand new facility that can elevate meaningful programs and services for the South Dallas community.”
This next month the present YMCA building will be demolished as permits allow for construction of the new facilities.
* Graphic provided by YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas