President & Chief Executive Officer

THE OPPORTUNITY AT THE GRAND ISLAND YMCA
This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned leader to make a profound impact at a mission-driven YMCA within a thriving community. Our new CEO will drive innovative strategies to expand the YMCA’s reach and deepen its impact within the service area, cultivate strong partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance the YMCA’s reputation and further its mission, guide and inspire a dedicated staff team passionate about serving the community, and prioritize the safety and well-being of all individuals—especially youth—by exceeding industry standards and ensuring full compliance.

The YMCA Board is seeking a visionary, community-minded CEO with proven leadership experience. The successful candidate must be able to develop and implement strategic plans that align with the YMCA’s mission and long-term goals, demonstrate excellent communication, relationship-building, and collaboration skills, and possess a track record of achieving measurable outcomes and driving organizational growth, all while embodying the YMCA’s values and commitment to its mission.

The YMCA boasts a strong, engaged Board of Directors and a dedicated staff team committed to serving the community. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic organization and make a lasting difference.
 
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The YMCA of Grand Island is searching for an innovative, strategic, and community-minded President & CEO to amplify our 140-year legacy of strengthening spirit, mind, and body in central Nebraska. Reporting to a committed 10-member Board of Directors, the CEO will champion our Christian mission and core values while expanding the Y’s reach across Grand Island and the 30-plus rural communities that rely on us for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

In this role you will lead with an entrepreneurial spirit—growing membership and programs, cultivating transformative partnerships, and securing the philanthropic resources that keep the Y affordable and accessible. You will design and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, from annual and capital campaigns to major-gift cultivation and grant acquisition, ensuring sound fiscal stewardship of our $1.9 million budget and strengthening our endowment for future generations. As the Y’s chief ambassador, you will nurture relationships with civic leaders, schools, healthcare systems, businesses, and faith communities, communicating the Y’s impact and inspiring volunteers and donors to invest in our mission.

Ideal candidates will bring at least five years of senior executive experience in the YMCA or a comparable nonprofit, a history of progressive budgetary leadership, demonstrated success in community relationship-building and strategic fundraising, and personal values that align with caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. If you are a visionary leader eager to inspire teams, deepen community impact, and steward a vibrant organization into its next chapter, we invite you to join us in building a healthier, more connected Grand Island.

ABOUT THE YMCA OF GRAND ISLAND
Founded in 1885, the YMCA of Grand Island has served the community continuously—except for the years 1929 to 1946. It has occupied seven sites across the city and has operated from its current location since 1979. In 2009 the Y opened a Northwest Express branch; after an 8,000-square-foot remodel completed in May 2013, that branch remained in service until it closed on February 15, 2020.

Programming has grown with the community’s needs. Early offerings focused on Bible classes, a reading room, and basic gym instruction. Today the Y delivers a wide range of activities—basketball, volleyball, swimming lessons, racquetball, pickleball, land- and water-fitness classes, and licensed child care for children six weeks to 12 years old—continuing its mission to strengthen the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Our Mission:
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every child and teen, improves the nation’s health and well-being, and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors.

Our Cause & Values:
The YMCA of Grand Island is dedicated to providing programs and services that enrich all who live in our community. We are guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. The Y is dedicated to giving people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to reach their full potential.  

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

Current Key Strategic Initiatives: 
Membership Development: The Grand Island YMCA believes that membership providing long-term involvement and commitment, is the most effective means of enriching lives. Therefore, our goal is to increase membership with an emphasis on Family and Senior memberships. 

Program Development: The YMCA believes that the lives of individuals are enriched through programs that strengthen individuals and families. Therefore our goal is to increase participation throughout our programs. 

Facility Site Development: The YMCA recognizes that quality facilities are a valuable community resource for providing and enhancing programs that deliver our mission. Therefore, we will provide the physical resources to ensure quality programs and services to meet the membership and program goals. 

HR Staff & Volunteer Development: The YMCA believes that leadership, in harmony with our mission, is an effective means of supporting communities and enhancing the quality of life. Therefore, we will recruit, train, recognize and retain quality volunteers and staff to assure strong leadership to advance the mission. 

Mission & Character Development: The YMCA believes that our core values are integral to the future of our children and our society. Therefore, we will implement the values of caring, respect, responsibility and honesty in all program areas, member service, leadership development and volunteerism. 

Financial Development: The YMCA recognizes that our ability to serve our members and the community is influenced by the strength of our financial resources. Therefore, we will maintain a balanced budget annually and expand contributed income to provide a strong financial base. 

Image & Marketing Development: It is the YMCA’s desire to be perceived as one of the top five impact agencies in Grand Island. To achieve this the YMCA must have a comprehensive marketing plan that articulates to the community our role in bettering the lives of the individuals that we serve.

Membership: 

• Total Number of Members in Association: 3435
• Total Number of Membership Units in Association: 1716
• % Youth: 5
• % Adults: 45
• % Household: 23
• % Senior: 27
• % Corporate: 18
• % Insurance: 29

Branch Information: 
Flagship Facility – Downtown Grand Island (Owned)

• Address & tenure: 221 E South Front St., Grand Island, NE 68801 — headquarters and primary branch since 1979.
• Core amenities: six-lane indoor pool, full gymnasium, racquetball/pickleball courts, fitness studios, weight & cardio rooms, saunas/steam, and a licensed child-care center (6 wks – 12 yrs).
• At-a-glance flyer: see pages 2-3 of the current Program Guide PDF for floor map and photos. https://www.giymca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025-2026-Big-Program-Guide-COMPLETE-FINAL-8.25-x-10.5-1.pdf 

Camp & Outdoor Programming 
Summer day camps, sports camps, and outdoor education run at Eagle Scout Park, local ballfields, and on-site green space; all details appear in seasonal Program Guides (link above). 

Quick Reference Links:
Branch schedules hub — group exercise, pool, and senior-friendly timetables: https://www.giymca.org/schedules/   
Mission & History timeline (infographic): https://www.giymca.org/about/mission-history/  

Core Programs: 

• Aquatics: swim lessons and competitive swim team
• Licensed Child Care: early learning for ages 6 months – 5 years, after-school care, and summer day camp
• Youth Sports: basketball, volleyball, racquetball, pickleball, and other leagues/clinics
• Group Exercise: land- and water-based fitness classes for all ages and abilities

Annual Support Campaign: 

• Prior Year’s Total: $176,186.41
• Current Year’s Goal: $170,000
• Total number of people receiving financial assistance prior year: 145 active scholarship members and 386 active through Nebraska Total Care

Current Staff
FT - 15 Non Exempt, 2 Exempt 
PT - 64

CEO Direct Reports: 

• Property Manager
• Aquatics Director
• Sports Director
• Membership/Wellness Director
• Childcare Director
• Business Services

Board of Directors: 10 members with the following standing committees:

• Executive
• Finance
• Membership
• Program
• Fundraising

Financial Snapshot:

• Current Annual Budget Size: $1,918,955
• Current Debt: $50,000
• Current Endowment: $479,720.09
• 3-year annual surplus/deficit:
  • Last year: $89,246.38 (2024)
  • Previous year: $1,590.17 (2023)
  • Previous year: $225,404.23 (2022)

ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY 
Population & Demographics

• City of Grand Island population: 52,761
• Metro-area population (MSA): 76,479
• Median age: 34.5 – energetic, family-forming demographic
• Median household income: $62,439
• Home-ownership rate: 59.5%
• Median home value: $202,600 (≈ 15% below U.S. median)
• Cost-of-living index: ~90 (10% under national average)

Racial & Ethnic Composition

• White, non-Hispanic: 57.2%
• Hispanic or Latino (total): 35.4%
• Other Hispanic: 18.9%
• Two or More Races, Hispanic: 7.9%
• White Hispanic: 6.8%
• Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 3.7%

Retail & Service Hub
Third-largest retail trade center in Nebraska, drawing customers from 30 + rural communities within a 90-mile radius.
Downtown boutiques, national brands, lodging, dining, and entertainment anchor a vibrant commercial district.
Tourism and human-service programs complement an active trade center that supports the wider agriculturally based region.

Award-Winning Livability

• Three-time All-America City (1955, 1967, 1981) and Outstanding Nebraska Community (1997).
• Ranked Top-10 “Smaller Community for Quality of Life” by World Trade Magazine (9th).
• 50 + parks and trails, revitalized downtown dining, craft breweries, year-round farmers markets, and signature events such as the Nebraska State Fair and the spring Sandhill Crane migration.

Education Pipeline

• 19 public and 7 private K-12 schools.
• Central Community College plus College Park adult-education center (Doane & Bellevue University).
• Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center provides specialized post-secondary training.

Economic Base

• 90 + manufacturing plants employing more than 7,000 workers.
• Two regional hospitals—CHI Health St. Francis and Grand Island Regional Medical Center—plus strong public-sector employers (city, county, and state).
• Local government led by a Mayor, City Council, and Hall County Board of Supervisors fosters collaborative civic initiatives.
• Average commute time is ≈ 14 minutes, giving residents more time for family, fitness, and community engagement.

Connectivity

• Central location at the crossroads of I-80, U.S. 30, 34, 281, and Nebraska Hwy 2.
  Central Nebraska Regional Airport offers daily jet service, linking quickly to Denver, Dallas–Fort Worth, Las Vegas, and beyond.
• Part of the Central Time Zone; Hall County encompasses Alda, Cairo, Doniphan, Grand Island, and Wood River, broadening the YMCA’s regional reach.

Information Sites:
YMCA of the USA — https://www.ymca.org   
Grand Island YMCA — https://www.giymca.org  
City of Grand Island — https://www.grand-island.com  
Hall County — https://www.hallcountyne.gov  
Grand Island Tourism & Visitor Bureau — https://visitgrandisland.com  
Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce — https://www.gichamber.com  
Grand Island Economic Development Corporation — https://grandisland.org  
Central Community College — https://www.cccneb.edu  
CHI Health St. Francis — https://www.chihealth.com/locations/st-francis  
Grand Island Regional Medical Center — https://www.bryanhealth.com/locations/profile/grand-island-regional-medical-center  
Grand Island Public Schools — https://www.gips.org  
Northwest High School — https://www.ginorthwest.org  
Grand Island Central Catholic School — https://www.gicc.org  
Heartland Lutheran School — https://www.heartlandlutheran.org  
Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer — https://stuhrmuseum.org  
Nebraska State Fair — https://www.statefair.org