President and Chief Executive Officer

ABOUT THE FRANK P. PHILLIPS MEMORIAL YMCA
Locally established in 1924, the Frank P. Phillips Memorial YMCA has been a vital part of the Columbus, Mississippi community for over 100 years. With two locations, Downtown YMCA and Caledonia YMCA, our Y in Lowndes County offers many health and fitness opportunities for community residents to enjoy. These include an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, two indoor basketball gymnasiums, indoor walking/running track, large variety of fitness classes, cardio/strength equipment, and a wholesome, friendly atmosphere. In addition, three Afterschool programs, two Summer Day Camps, Swimming Lessons, and seasonal Youth Sports are offered. Our diverse membership reflects the variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences within our community. We strive to create a welcoming environment where all members feel valued and welcome.

Our Mission
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Our History
The first recorded meeting to organize our Columbus YMCA was held April 23, 1924, in the "rooms of the Chamber of Commerce." 

Frank P. Phillips, Philanthropist and wealthy cotton broker of Columbus, offered to give $100,000.00 as an endowment for perpetual maintenance provided the city of Columbus would raise $150,000.00 for the construction and equipping of a modern YMCA building. This magnificent gift may well have meant the difference between success and failure of our YMCA.

On Sunday, October 27, 1929, the YMCA opened a campaign for building funds. The goal was set at $65,000.00 and a kick-off meeting was held at the First Baptist Church. At noon the next day, the committee met at the Episcopal Parrish house where reports reaching $27,104.00 were made. By the end of the second day, $43,808.00 was pledged to the more than 100 workers. On October 30, a list of 1125 donors pledging $72,500.00 was published, thus ending this most phenomenal financial campaign.

Thursday, April 23, 1931, the Columbus YMCA building was completed and dedicated in a formal Opening Ceremony. The total building cost was $75,000.00; $10,000.00 more than budgeted. The finished building included an addition to the original plan: 18 dormitory rooms on the third floor. The records do not show were the additional $10,000.00 came from, but reliable informants say that Mr. Phillips, seeing the need, paid for this dormitory addition. An incredibly wise and generous gesture. Thus closed the story of the acquiring of the funds and the building of the magnificent Columbus YMCA.

When the cornerstone of the YMCA building was laid, Mr. H.M. Pratt placed in a hermetically sealed brass box a number of articles selected for posterity by the building committee. These items were: a list of the 1125 contributors to the building fund, copy of the campaign book and prospectus, Mr. Birney Imes short history of the Y in Columbus, list of officers, directors and building committee, list of Columbus Churches and pastors, statements of Columbus banks, one of the Chamber of Commerce pictorial books of Columbus, copies of the Commercial Dispatch, the Holy Bible, a half dime of 1848, copy of the City's Centennial program of 1921, and a statement from A.W. Dill, who made the brass container.  Our YMCA is literally filled with history.

Our Cause & Values
To strengthen the foundations of community and instill the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Our Culture:

The Y Experience – The Y Experience is built from our mission and encompasses the values and philosophy by which we serve and operate.
Welcoming – We are open to all. We are a place where you can be yourself and find yourself in others.
Genuine – We value you and embrace your individuality.
Hopeful – We believe in you and your potential to do good in the world.
Nurturing – We support you as you become the best-version-of-yourself.
Determined – Above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you.

Membership: Total Number of Members: 5,800  
Total Number of Membership Units: 2,754  

• % Youth: 6%  
• % Adults: 16%  
• % Senior: 41%  
• % of Families 37%  

Branch Information: 
Caledonia Branch YMCA Caledonia, MS  9652 Wolfe Road   Caledonia, MS  39740

School Aged Locations:
Caledonia Elementary Afterschool: 9509 Wolfe Road, Caledonia, MS 39740
New Hope Elementary Afterschool: 199 Enlow Drive, Columbus, MS 39702

Philanthropy: 
Annual Giving: $100,000    
Previous Year's Annual Giving Impact

• Total number of people receiving financial assistance (scholarship): 52  
• Total amount awarded in financial assistance (scholarship): $15,330  

Staff: 

• 8 FT Staff
• 80 PT Employees

CEO Direct Reports: 

• Membership and Marketing Director
• Branch Director – Caledonia  
• Membership Director
• Branch Director
• Aquatics Director
• Program Director
• Business Office Manager
• HR Generalist

Board of Directors: 24 members with 3 standing committees.

Financial Snapshot:

• Revenue & Expenses 2025 Budget - $1.6 Million   
• Total Liquidity - $524,000 as of 6/30/25
• No Current debt outstanding

ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY 
Columbus, MS, located in Lowndes County, was founded in 1821. Situated on the Tombigbee River in East Central Mississippi, Columbus is a city known for its rich history, charming Southern hospitality, and historic architecture. It's a city with a blend of historic sites, arts and culture, and recreational opportunities. Home to the US Air Force specialized pilot training base, Columbus Air Force Base is located just north of Columbus in Lowndes County. This base is responsible for producing one-third of all the pilots in the Air Force. Chartered in 1884, and located near downtown, Mississippi University for Women was the first state-supported college for women in the nation. Mississippi State University and East Mississippi Community College are each located within 20 miles of our downtown area. The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway offers an array of boating activities and recreation such as fishing and water skiing. Lake Lowndes State Park offers recreational facilities for individuals, families, and groups in a scenic setting. Lake Lowndes also offers fishing and camping and includes tennis courts and softball fields. For walkers and runners, the Riverwalk Trail, located near the downtown area, offers scenic views of the Tombigbee River. Columbus has a vibrant employment base in Healthcare (Baptist Memorial Hospital), Education, and Manufacturing (Steel Dynamics, Aluminum Dynamics, International Paper, and Paccar to name just a few our large manufacturing employers). Columbus is located within a 3-hour drive of the metropolitan areas of Memphis, TN, Birmingham, AL, and Jackson, MS. Columbus, MS, is a great place to live and raise a family.

Information Sites:
www.ymca.org