JACKSON, Mich., Jan. 25, 2021 – The Jackson YMCA announced that the Hurst Foundation is contributing $60,000 to the Y’s campaign for a contemporary new facility in downtown Jackson. Led by President Anthony P Hurst, the foundation has granted more than $15 million over the past 50 years in support of local, state and national communities.
“We are proud to support the Y as they work to build a new downtown facility,” said Hurst. “For decades our foundation has contributed to work that improves the well-being of our community, and we believe in the YMCA mission to better the mental and physical health of all Jackson residents.”
Established in 1955 by Peter F. Hurst, who believed in giving back to the community, the Hurst Foundation’s local philanthropic efforts have included the Ella Sharp Museum, the Jackson Community Foundation, and the installation of the Peter F. Hurst Planetarium in collaboration with Jackson Public Schools. Each year the Hurst Foundation grants nearly $500,000 to local projects and groups.
The Hurst Foundation has played a pivotal role in supporting local innovators and budding entrepreneurs. The organization funds the Junior Achievement of the Michigan Edge CEO Challenge, an annual three-tiered program similar to “Shark Tank.” Along with helping competitors sharpen their creative and thinking skills, it connects them with local business mentors. In addition, the Hurst Foundation has funded Lean Rocket Lab, a nonprofit business incubator that provides entrepreneurs collaborative co-working space, meeting and event space, and training and conference rooms.
This capital campaign news follows a series of recent announcements. The YMCA has raised more than $21 million in pledges and contributions to fund a new healthy living campus in the heart of downtown. Earlier this month the Y announced that Granger Construction Co. was named the construction manager and Bergmann the architect/engineer.
“The Hurst Foundation has a long history of supporting organizations that impact so many people in our community – youth, schools, adults and entrepreneurs, to name just a few,” said Shawna Tello, CEO of the Jackson YMCA. “This significant gift from the Hurst Foundation, along with the support from our many donors, moves us closer to a contemporary facility and more responsive programming to improve the health of a broader cross-section of our community.”
The YMCA’s volunteers and staff leadership continue to work with the capital campaign’s major donors and collaborative partners as well as seek additional financial support. The Jackson YMCA has raised over $7 million dollars in 2020 as it works to close the project’s funding gap. For more information, visit www.JacksonYMCA.org.