THE OPPORTUNITY AT THE DECATUR FAMILY YMCA
The Decatur Family YMCA is seeking a mission-driven, community-centered Chief Executive Officer to lead one of Central Illinois’ long-standing community institutions into its next era of impact, growth, and sustainability. For nearly 150 years, the Decatur Family YMCA has been woven into the fabric of Decatur and Macon County, serving as a trusted gathering place where children discover confidence and possibility, families find support, adults pursue health and wellness, and neighbors of all backgrounds experience connection, belonging, and care.
This is a meaningful leadership opportunity for a visible, relational, and strategic executive who understands both the heart and business of the YMCA. The next CEO will step into an organization with a proud legacy, an engaged volunteer Board of Directors, a committed leadership team, valued community partnerships, and a clear strategic direction shaped by the Board and staff leadership in summer 2025. Building from this foundation, the CEO will have the opportunity to elevate the Y’s community presence, strengthen operational performance, expand philanthropic investment, and tell a more powerful story of the Y’s role in improving lives across Decatur and Macon County.
The ideal leader will bring disciplined executive management, authentic relationship-building, and an entrepreneurial spirit to help the Decatur Family YMCA meet the evolving needs of its community. This is a moment for a leader who can honor the Y’s deep roots while bringing fresh energy, focus, and vision to its future.
ABOUT THE DECATUR FAMILY YMCA
For nearly 150 years, the Decatur Family YMCA has stood as one of Decatur and Macon County’s trusted anchors for youth development, healthy living, and community connection. Rooted in Christian principles and committed to building healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, the Y has earned a meaningful place in the lives of generations of children, families, adults, seniors, volunteers, donors, and community partners.
From its home at 220 W. McKinley Avenue, the Decatur Family YMCA serves as far more than a fitness facility. It is a place where children take their first swim lessons, young people find safe and enriching spaces before and after school, families access trusted childcare, adults pursue healthier lifestyles, seniors remain active and connected, and neighbors find encouragement, belonging, and support. Through preschool, school-age care, Camp Sokkia, aquatics and swim safety, health and wellness, senior wellness, personal training, evidence-based health programs, financial assistance, and community outreach, the Y responds to the evolving needs of the community while staying grounded in its mission.
The Y’s 2026 theme, “No Place Like This Place,” captures the spirit of an organization that is deeply personal to the community it serves. At its best, the Decatur Family YMCA is where programs become relationships, where participation becomes belonging, and where everyday experiences create lasting impact. As the organization looks ahead, it is positioned to build on that trust, sharpen its story, strengthen its reach, and continue serving as a vital community partner for Decatur and Macon County.
Our Mission
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
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
Current Key Strategic Initiatives:
- Growth - expanding our reach, deepening engagement, and building partnerships to serve more individuals and families.
Marketing - elevating the Y’s visibility through consistent messaging and meaningful community connection.
Fundraising - ensuring long-term sustainability by strengthening donor relationships and expanding philanthropic support.
Membership:
- Total Members: 7,044 as of May 2026
- Total Membership Units: 3,930 as of May 2026
Branch Information:
- Decatur Family YMCA
- Camp Sokkia - summer day camp program.
Core Programs:
- Preschool and early childhood enrichment
- Before- and after-school care serving DPS 61, Meridian, and Maroa-Forsyth grade schools
- Camp Sokkia summer day camp
- Aquatics, swim lessons, water safety, and YDSC Gators swim team
- Health and wellness, group exercise, personal training, senior wellness, and small-group training
- Evidence-based health programs including LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, Pedaling for Parkinson’s, Memory Keeper’s Chorus, and arthritis/joint pain support
- Y Cares financial assistance, membership assistance, Backpack Attack, child watch, and community outreach
Annual Support Campaign:
Current Year Goal: $266,500 (2026 budgeted Y Campaign).
Prior Year’s Total: $191,665 (2025 Y Campaign actual).
Current Year’s Progress Toward Goal: $68,050 YTD as of June 2026.
Total number of people receiving financial assistance prior year: $111,000 awarded in membership financial assistance; $6,500 in program financial assistance; and $19,398 in child care financial assistance through Y Cares in 2025.
CEO Direct Reports:
- Director of Development
- Director of Finance
- Director of Human Resources
- Senior Child Care Director
- Director of Membership
- Director of Facilities
- Director of Health & Wellness
- Director of Aquatics
- Director of Youth & Family Programs
- Director of School Age Care & Camp
- Swim Team Head Coach
- Marketing Coordinator
Board of Directors: 15 members
Standing committees include:
- Community Engagement Committee
- Finance Committee
- Resource Development Committee
Financial Snapshot:
- Current Annual Budget Size: $3,924,949 revenue
- Current Debt: Debt as % of Net Assets: 14% as of March 2026 dashboard. End of March total debt = $890,821.
- End of May Debt as % of Net Assets = 13%. End of May Total Debt = $857,810.
- Current Endowment: $2,043,823 Busey Endowment Fund balance as of 1Q 2026.
- Last year operating net: ($77,971) for 2025.
- Previous year operating net: ($319,029) for 2024.
- Current year-to-date operating net: $12,211 as of March 2026.
ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY
Decatur and Macon County offer the next CEO a community defined by pride, partnership, resilience, and possibility. Located in the heart of Central Illinois, Decatur combines the accessibility and affordability of a mid-sized community with the assets, employers, institutions, and civic infrastructure that create meaningful opportunities for impact. The area offers affordable housing, family-friendly neighborhoods, parks and recreation, and convenient proximity to Springfield, Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington-Normal, and key interstate transportation routes.
The region is supported by a diverse economic base that includes agribusiness and food processing, manufacturing, health care, logistics, education, and economic development. Major employers and community assets highlighted in the resource materials include Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Caterpillar, TCCI, Memorial Health, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Midwest Inland Port, the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County, Richland Community College, Millikin University, United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois, and a strong network of civic and philanthropic partners.
Life in Decatur is enriched by Lake Decatur, Scovill Zoo, golf courses, parks and trails, arts and civic events, the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, local schools and colleges, and a deep tradition of volunteerism and community engagement. For a CEO who wants to be visible, accessible, and meaningfully involved in the life of the community, Decatur offers a powerful setting for leadership. It is a place where relationships are personal, civic pride runs deep, and trusted institutions like the YMCA have an opportunity to bring people together, strengthen families, support health and well-being, and contribute to a stronger future for children, adults, and communities across Macon County.
Information Sites:
City of Decatur Illinois
Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce
Millikin University and Richland Community College
Memorial and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospitals
Decatur Public Schools District 61 ; Meridian ; Maroa-Forsyth
