YMCA Of Bucks County Merges With NJ Organization

The YMCA of Bucks County has grown again.

The nonprofit organization recently announced they have merged with the Hunterdon County YMCA in New Jersey. Hunterdon County borders the central and upper portion of Bucks County. The move was approved by the boards of directors for both groups.

The combined organization will have a revenue of $25 million and employ nearly 2,000 people who serve more than 70,000 members and other program participants, according to a statement.

The merger comes after the Hunterdon County YMCA signed a management agreement with the YMCA of Bucks County in August 2021. The agreement came to be after Hunterdon County YMCA President and CEO Bruce Black retired last year. YMCA of Bucks County President and CEO Zane Moore oversaw the New Jersey organization during that period.

While Moore and the YMCA of Bucks County were helping run the Hunterdon County YMCA, officials from both organizations looked to one another and conducted due diligence before merging.

“As a combined YMCA, we truly are stronger together and remain committed to building upon the excellence of over 100 years of service to the community,” said Moore. “Our members and community participants will benefit from a greater variety of programs and services, as well as our ability to leverage the strengths of each organization for mutual benefit.”

The merger, which took effect last Friday, will take the new name YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties.

The combined YMCA will operate branches in Bristol Township, Doylestown Township, Newtown Township, Quakertown Borough, and Warminster Township in Bucks County and branches in Round Valley Branch in Annandale, New Jersey and Deer Path Branch in Flemington, New Jersey. The organization operates childcare centers in Morrisville Borough, New Britain Borough, Solebury Township and Quakertown Borough in Bucks County, and in Annandale, New Jersey and Milford, New Jersey.

The organization also operates camps in Northampton Township in Bucks County and Clinton Township, New Jersey.

“As a result, Y members and participants from both sides of the river will benefit from the specialized programming offered at each location and shared resources for facility and program enhancement. Members can use all seven member branches and will receive member pricing on programs at all locations,” the organization said in a statement.

The merged YMCA will be able to provide $5 million to residents through financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults, and others.

In 2018, the YMCA of Bucks County formed from the merger of the Lower Bucks Family YMCA, Central Bucks YMCA, and Upper Bucks YMCA.

The overhauled YMCA location in Bristol Township is set to officially open next week.

Below is Moore’s email to members:

Dear YMCA Members and Friends,  

I hope this email finds you and your family well and enjoying our spring weather. I am reaching out to share some exciting news – the boards of Hunterdon County YMCA and YMCA of Bucks County have voted to come together as one YMCA organization operating across both counties. Beginning April 1, 2022, we will be YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties!

Our volunteer leaders and staff are committed to building upon the excellence of our over 100 years of service to the community. With membership locations and child care centers throughout both counties, the Y is here to serve you and your family with a richer YMCA experience. This includes a greater variety of programs and services, as well as the ability to leverage the strengths of each organization to make an even bigger impact in our communities. Learn more about how we are stronger together by reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), found below.

If you have any questions not answered in our FAQ, please contact our Chief Operations Officer Trish Feinthel at tfeinthel@ymcabucks.org. Trish is overseeing the merging of programs and services, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the newly combined organization.

I want to thank you for being such an important part of our YMCA. We are stronger together and as we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to strengthening our communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all.

Here For You,

Zane Moore
President/CEO

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question:  Is there a new name for the combined association?
Answer: The official name of the combined organization is “YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties”. 

Question:  What branches are now included in YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties?
Answer:  In Pennsylvania, YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties operates member branches in Doylestown, Fairless Hills, Newtown, Quakertown and Warminster, with child care centers in Morrisville, New Britain, New Hope and Quakertown. In New Jersey, the Y includes Round Valley Branch in Annandale, and Deer Path Branch in Flemington, with child care centers in Annandale and Milford. Outdoor camp locations include Camp Carr in Clinton Township, NJ and Holland Outdoor Center in Holland, PA.    

Question:  What does this mean to my membership privileges?
Answer: As a member of a branch of YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties, you are able to use all of our branches as long as you utilize your “home” branch at least 50% of the time. This offers convenience of location, and provides expanded opportunities for programming. Additionally, as a member of YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties, you will be able to participate in programming at the member rate at all branch locations: Doylestown, Deer Path, Fairless Hills, Newtown, Round Valley, Quakertown and Warminster. 

Question:  Will this change my membership?
Answer:  Your membership and program experience will be enhanced through the coming together of the two Ys. We will leverage the talents of our staff to offer a wider variety of programming and more opportunities to engage in activities that positively impact your health and wellbeing. We are grateful for your involvement at our Y and look forward to continuing to help you and your family learn, grow and thrive.

Question:  Will the cost of membership go up?
Answer:  We do not anticipate a membership fee increase based on the merging of Ys. Each year our staff and board evaluate and set membership fees based on the costs of operating our facilities, programs and increased value. 

Question:  Will the uniqueness of my local branch be preserved?
Answer:  As a Y, we take pride that our focus is in our local community. Each local Y will maintain its own unique branch feel and continue to serve the communities in which they are located.

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