The YMCA of Greater Charlotte is trimming staff as it tries to steady its finances after years of pandemic fallout, but the nonprofit says workouts, child care and other member programs are staying put.
Officials confirmed Thursday that the organization has reorganized parts of its operation and let go of a limited number of employees. Leaders say the moves are aimed at shoring up the bottom line while keeping services running for members and participants.
Association Confirms Targeted Job Cuts
Heather Briganti, the Y’s vice president of communications, said the layoffs were part of a broader operational shift and involved “a limited number of positions across the association” that are not expected to disrupt services for members or participants, according to The Charlotte Observer. She said the changes are tied to a new operating model designed to reduce duplication and streamline management while preserving program delivery.
Tax Filings Show Steep 2019–2024 Revenue Drop
Federal tax filings show the Y’s revenue fell from roughly $100 million in 2019 to about $74.1 million in 2024, a decline of roughly 26%, and that the association recorded a net loss of about $11.4 million last year, according to ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer. Program services still make up the bulk of revenue, but rising expenses and a sustained membership gap have pushed leadership to pursue structural change.
Shift From “Branches” To “Centers”
The Y has been rolling out a strategic plan that reframes locations as “centers” and concentrates resources in hubs meant to deliver programming more efficiently, according to YMCA of Greater Charlotte. Officials say the model is intended to steer philanthropic dollars, camps, child care and partnerships into higher-impact sites while trimming administrative overlap, and that the staff reductions are being implemented alongside this new structure.
Membership Slump And Earlier Cuts Set The Stage
Membership plunged during the pandemic and, although the Y has regained some ground, it has not returned to pre-COVID levels, CEO Suehila Glass told The Charlotte Observer. The association furloughed thousands of workers and cut dozens of roles in 2020 and 2021 as it rebalanced its budget. Leaders say the latest reductions are narrower in scope but remain part of an ongoing effort to stabilize finances…