YMCA to boost frontline pay in wake of large gift

The YMCA of Greater Houston has increased the minimum pay for entry-level frontline employees after receiving an $18 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

The initiative, which took effect Jan. 1, boosts pay for full-time employees to at least $15 per hour and for part-time associates to $10 per hour. The adjustment is the first step in addressing equity within the nonprofit organization and providing more livable wages to employees who have been instrumental throughout the pandemic, the YMCA announced.

The increases apply to position in administration, aquatics and lifeguarding, camp, child care, health, well-being & fitness, membership, sports and community outreach.

“We have been working on this initiative for several years and were able to formalize our commitment to a more livable wage as a result of the generous gift we received from MacKenzie Scott. With her donation, along with ongoing support from donors and Impact Members, we will be able to continue our efforts to make the community stronger while empowering our dedicated staff,” Stephen Ives, president and CEO, the YMCA of Greater Houston, said in an announcement.

“In July 2020, we made a commitment to elevating equity awareness throughout the community by launching the YMCA of Greater Houston Equity Innovation Center Powered by Reliant,” the statement said. “Our intention is to increase equity and inclusion starting with ourselves, and this entry level wage adjustment is just one of the ways we are taking action internally.”

YMCA of Greater Houston provides programs and services at 24 centers in the Houston area. The organization, which seeks to strengthen communities, lost $50 million of revenue due to the pandemic.

Scott, the second-wealthiest woman in the world, is a writer and ex-wife of Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos. She has an estimated net worth of more than $55 billion.