Partnerships

Partnerships

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Young People

We help young people better themselves, their communities…and the world.

Young people are our future.

We believe that the most powerful way to elevate young people is to work with others, who share our commitment to empowering them to be problem-solvers and change-makers in their communities and in the world.

By working together, we are able to leverage the strengths of our extraordinary partners – their networks, their knowledge, their resources or otherwise – to achieve more with and for young people.

At the World Alliance of YMCAs, we are building partnerships with international organizations, corporations, foundations, philanthropists, research institutes, youth groups and others working internationally to empower young people to realise their potential.

Partnerships news

Two GYM openings available

29 February 2024

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Press Release: HP IDEA in Moldova

23 February 2024

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Empowering young people through basketball

21 December 2023

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Reflecting on the 2023 World Week of Prayer

20 November 2023

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Why partner with World YMCA

The YMCA is one of the largest youth-focused movements in the world, with 175 years of experience and tradition empowering young people. Our partners gain access to a global network of millions of young people in thousands of communities around the world, as well as the YMCA Movement’s extensive network of national, local, and regional offices and the YMCA’s trusted global brand. Some of the young people we reach are the most elusive for donors wanting to make a difference: the underserved and the marginalised. We will share with you the impact of what we do: the numbers reached when we can collate them, and the stories of lives and communities transformed.

Kathleen Elsig

Kathleen Elsig

Director of Global Partnerships

USA, Switzerland

Find out more

Kathleen Elsig

Director of Global Partnerships

USA, Switzerland

Kathleen Elsig

Kathleen ELSIG (US, Switzerland) is Director of Global Partnerships at the World Alliance of YMCAs. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, she took up the role in January 2022.

She has 20 years of international experience raising funds and building shared value partnerships with global and local non-profits, businesses, UN agencies, philanthropic organisations, academic institutions, and communities. She has held senior leadership roles, including for the Global Apprenticeship Network, WWF, Switzerland’s Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. She is also a senior associate with the Partnering Initiative, where she has supported international foundations and philanthropic organisations pivot to a partnering approach with grantees.

With experience working in Europe, Africa, Asia, Central Asia, and North America, she has a Masters Degree in European Political Affairs, diplomas in nonprofit management and fundraising, and has studied widely in corporate sustainability.

YMCA associations are deeply rooted in and trusted by their communities, empowering even the most marginalised young people, and encouraging them to lead the charge for change in their communities and in the world.

The YMCA offers an unprecedented ability to ‘scale up’ initiatives in multiple countries, regions, and communities. It also has the ability to design approaches that meet young people and communities where they are.

We are committed to empowering young people to tackle today’s most pressing global challenges: wellbeing, employment, climate, and social justice. We build skills such as leadership, confidence and resilience, which are increasingly important in a world in rapid transformation.

Our partners.

You can choose to support a specific programme, country, or emergency appeal by making a financial donation or by donating products or professional expertise. See our Donate page for more information.

Philanthropic giving

You can choose to support a specific programme, country, or emergency appeal by making a financial donation or by donating products or professional expertise. See our Donate page for more information.

Strategic partnerships

The YMCA is proud to have multi-year agreements in place with organizations with whom we work together to tackle some of the greatest challenges that young people face today, in the areas of health, employment, environment, and civic engagement.

Partnerships for young people

We work in a variety of ways – both with peer organizations operating globally and with our YMCA associations – to bring more power to young people in communities to reach their potential and create a better future for all.

 

Advocacy partnerships

The World YMCA makes sure the voices of young people are heard at the highest policy levels with international organizations and decision-makers. In communities around the world, YMCAs are committed to providing safe supportive spaces in which dialogue and engagement on youth advocacy challenges can take place.

Collaborations

The World YMCA regularly works with like-minded organizations to empower young people through events, campaigns, workshops, and conferences.

Faith partners

The World Alliance of YMCAs collaborates with ecumenical organizations throughout the world.

We are deeply grateful to our partners for their commitment, support, and enthusiasm for working to empower young people – from childhood to young adulthood – with the support they need to reach their potential and create a better future for all.