CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) — The Cortland County YMCA has received an $11,500 grant from the Cortland County United Way through their 2026 Community Impact Funding.

The money will go directly to the YMCA’s Membership for All (MFA) Program, which offers financial assistance for YMCA membership, programs, and childcare.

The MFA program at the Cortland YMCA provides sliding-scale financial assistance ranging from 10%–80% off memberships, as well as discounts for childcare and other eligible programs. Over the past year, the YMCA distributed $34,309 in financial assistance.

“We’re so excited to partner with the United Way to be able to offer our MFA program on a wider scale than ever before. We currently have over 150 community members utilizing MFA and will now be able to extend support to more individuals and families in Cortland County,” said Gina Cusano-McLaughlin, Cortland County Family YMCA Branch Manager.

Gunnar Madison, Regional Executive Director of the Cortland County Family YMCA, added, “According to United For ALICE, 42% of households in Cortland County are living in poverty or are classified as ALICE, working families who earn too much to qualify for public assistance but still struggle to keep up with the rising cost of essentials. With childcare costs exceeding $20,000 per year for two children and median household income in Cortland County below the state average, financial pressure is a reality for many local families. The MFA program at the Cortland YMCA helps close that gap by ensuring access to essential supports like childcare, wellness, and youth programs, so every family who can benefit from the Y has the opportunity to do so. This is about keeping Cortland County families connected, healthy, and supported.”

“We are very excited to welcome the addition of the YMCA’s MFA program to our slate of United Way for Cortland County Impact Award winners in 2026. UWCC is very impressed by the work the YMCA has undertaken to grow in recent years, and the opportunities this institution and facility is here to offer every day to our community. Our Grant Scoring Committee felt strongly that funding the MFA program is a unique opportunity to support several of UWCC’s priority pillars through a single, powerful, program. The MFA program is a way to ensure more equitable access to the irreplaceable community resource that is the YMCA, and we are proud to award them this community backed funding through the Impact Grants initiative,” added Kristina Thalen, President and CEO of United Way Cortland County.

To learn more about the MFA program or to receive an application, contact Carlotta Case, Membership Service Coordinator, at memberships@cortlandymca.org. Applications are always being accepted.