Yates Society

The Yates Society, named in honor of Claude J. Yates, is made up of people who believe in the mission of the Y and want to ensure that its programs and services will be continued for future generations.

Members of the Yates Society have included the Y in their estate plans and/or designated gifts to the endowment fund, building long-term financial stability to support the mission of the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast.

We would like to thank and recognize all of our Yates Society members.

John and Anne Baker
Jennifer and Jeff Boyer
Jan and Jim Brogdon
Bill and Christina Bryan
Carl & Rita Cannon Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Dye
Mrs. Susan L. Golden
Mr. Mattox S. Hair, Esq.
Mr. Wayne Hart
Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Lyon
Paul and Brenda McEntire
Mrs. Betty L. Milne
Mr. and Mrs. E. William Nash
Ed & Cindi Neill
Mrs. Deedie Simmons
Justin, Paige and Hannah Terry
Mrs. John Webster
Mr. Thomas Whicher
Mr. and Mrs. Hastings & Jacqueline Williams
Mr. James H. Winston
Ms. Penelope Zuber

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I or our family become a member of the Yates Society?

Any donor who commits a gift to the YMCA as a part of their estate plan is considered a member.

Can I designate my gift for a specific purpose?

Many donors choose to leave their gift unrestricted to allow the Y governing board to direct the earnings where the need is greatest. However, the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast has specific options to which you can designate your funds: (1) undesignated for highest needs at the time, (2) for use at a specific branch, (3) for facility improvements, and (4) for high-priority programs identified by the board of directors.

What types of gifts could I give?

We know that members of the Yates Society choose to give to perpetuate their values and that their gifts say something about who they are and how they want to be remembered. Therefore, options are available to meet individual circumstances. The majority of gifts are received in these forms of planned gifts:

  • Bequests through wills
  • Naming the Y as a beneficiary of retirement plans
  • Naming the Y as a beneficiary of insurance policies
  • Living trusts
  • Charitable trusts

What is the proper wording I should use to ensure my gift is designated as I wish?

Here is an example of wording you could use:
“I give to the Young Men’s Christian Association of Florida’s First Coast, a 501(c)(3) corporation, incorporated in Florida, the sum of $ (or percent of the remainder of my estate) to be deposited in the YMCA’s endowment fund. The income shall be used to benefit said YMCA in such manner as the board of directors thereof may direct.”

About Claude J. Yates

Claude J. Yates was a well-known Jacksonville business executive, dedicated civic leader and YMCA volunteer. In the 1960s, Mr. Yates was Vice President and General Manager of the Southern Bell Telephone Company in Jacksonville and also served as President of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Yates leadership at the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast included chairing the Board of Directors for three years and developing the Endowment Fund and chairing it for 12 years. On January 17, 1989, just months after his passing, the 48th Annual Meeting of the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast was dedicated to Mr. Yates and the Riverside YMCA was named in his honor. According to the official Chairman’s Report minutes from that meeting, Mr. Yates was “such a devoted and dedicated YMCA volunteer that the Health and Fitness Center now bears his name.”

To learn how you can become part of the movement, contact Nekita Nesmith, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer at 904.265.1812 or nnesmith@FCYMCA.org