GIVE THE GIFT OF A BRIGHTER SCHOOL YEAR FOR ALL
Every child deserves to begin the school year feeling prepared, supported, and full of potential — but not every family can afford the essentials that make that possible. Our Back to School Fundraising Campaign helps bridge that gap by supporting local youth through four essential YMCA programs: Running Start, After School Enrichment Scholarships, Early Learning Center Scholarships, and Play Every Day.
By giving to this campaign, you’re helping a child walk into school with a new backpack and the confidence to succeed, access quality care before and after school, build school readiness in a nurturing preschool environment, and stay active and socially connected during recess. Your gift provides more than just supplies or care — it creates opportunities, builds resilience, and sets kids on a path to thrive all year long.
WHY DONATE TO OUR BACK TO SCHOOL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN?
Your donation to our back to school campaign helps ensure that everyone in our community has access to critical child care, recess support, and fun memories all school year long. Here's how your support makes a difference:
Give Kids a Confident Start with Running Start
In 2024, we brought over 100 children shopping for new back-to-school essentials. In 2025, we’re expanding the program to serve 125 students. Your donation provides a $150 gift card per child, giving them the confidence and excitement of shopping for brand-new backpacks, clothing, and shoes, ensuring they return to the classroom ready to learn and full of confidence.
Provide Critical After School Child Care
Help working families afford safe, enriching after school care. For the 2024–2025 school year, 51% of the children enrolled in our After School Enrichment Program received financial assistance — many of them from Title I schools in Greenwich Public Schools. Your support ensures these students have access to academic support, creative exploration, physical activity, and a caring community after the school bell rings.
Support Early Learning and School Readiness
In response to a shortage of affordable child care, the YMCA of Greenwich is opening a brand-new Early Learning Center this fall, offering care for infants and toddlers through preschool-age children. Many of the children enrolled for the upcoming school year will receive financial assistance, ensuring that every family — regardless of income — can access nurturing, high-quality early education.
Promote Active Play with Play Every Day
Recess matters. Our Play Every Day program sends YMCA staff to local elementary schools to support positive, inclusive play during recess. With your help, we’ll keep more kids active, engaged, and socially connected.