Greater Austin YMCA Announces New Schmetterling YMCA in Four Points
Building on an earlier $3 million gift, new $15 million commitment will name Schmetterling YMCA and advance the full campus vision
AUSTIN, TEXAS (May 13, 2026) — The Greater Austin YMCA today announced an $18 million total investment from The Schmetterling Foundation, led by philanthropists Colleen and Jim Clark. A new transformational $15 million gift builds on the foundation's earlier $3 million investment in YMCA Tomorrow Academy. In recognition of this support, the new YMCA campus will be named Schmetterling YMCA. The investment marks a pivotal milestone for one of Central Texas' most significant community nonprofit projects and accelerates the YMCA campus planned for the Four Points area, located at 8300 N. FM 620.
As the Four Points area and surrounding Northwest Austin communities continue to grow, families are seeking greater access to childcare, youth development, fitness, wellness, recreation and community gathering spaces. The project is designed to help meet the evolving needs of a growing family region where community members have long expressed a desire for more YMCA programs and services.
"This is more than a gift to the YMCA. It is an investment in the future of Four Points families and the long-term wellbeing of our community," said Kathy Kuras, president and CEO of the Greater Austin YMCA. "As the area continues to grow, families are looking for places where children can thrive, parents can connect and people of all ages can build healthier lives together. This investment helps make that vision possible."
The Schmetterling Foundation's earlier $3 million investment made possible the March 2025 opening of the first YMCA Tomorrow Academy, which served as Phase 1 of the broader vision for the Four Points YMCA. Today's $15 million commitment will complete the construction phase of the project and allow the YMCA to move toward opening the full-facility YMCA community center in late 2028.
As the YMCA enters the community phase of its capital campaign, every additional gift will strengthen Schmetterling YMCA's ability to open with the programs, resources and financial assistance needed to serve families. Community investment will expand access to all income levels and help ensure more children, teens and families can thrive through YMCA programs and services for years to come.
"The YMCA played an important role in our childhoods, and we know firsthand the impact these spaces can have on children, families, and communities" Colleen and Jim Clark, Steiner Ranch residents and founders of The Schmetterling Foundation, said in a joint statement. "As the Four Points area continues to grow, we are proud to help create a place where future generations can build friendships, gain confidence and feel connected."
The YMCA Tomorrow Academy, already open at 8300 N. FM 620, provides early education for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. The program features the YMCA's proprietary Playing to Learn Curriculum, with six classrooms focused on early literacy, STEM, creative arts and nature play. Throughout the program, the Y's signature enrichment offerings are woven in, spanning family wellness, health and nutrition, and parent engagement.
Phase 2 will complete the broader Schmetterling YMCA vision with extensive 9-acre outdoor spaces and a full-facility YMCA community center. Planned features include an aquatics complex with an outdoor year-round swimming pool for lap swim and seasonal interactive family pool; sport courts for basketball and pickleball; outdoor fitness areas; family gathering spaces; a full indoor fitness and wellness center; group fitness studios; a youth maker space for STEM, tech, cooking and art; Kids Play+ drop-in child care; a coworking lounge; and community gathering areas.
The full campus vision is designed to serve children, families, teens, and older adults through a mix of wellness, recreation, education, and community spaces.
For more than 35 years, families in the broader Four Points and Northwest Austin area have trusted the Greater Austin YMCA to provide school-based after-school care for Round Rock ISD elementary schools including Canyon Creek, Jollyville, Laurel Mountain, Spicewood. and Caraway. Over generations, these programs have helped create lasting relationships with families, educators, staff, volunteers, and community partners across the area. Schmetterling YMCA will deepen that connected ecosystem by creating a long-term hub for early learning, youth development, health, family support and community life in the Four Points area.
To learn more about Schmetterling YMCA and its upcoming phases, visit https://www.austinymca.org/locations-schmetterling-ymca/.
About Greater Austin YMCA
The Greater Austin YMCA® is a dynamic force elevating quality of life in Greater Austin by boldly expanding access for all children, adults, families and seniors in our rapidly growing community. For nearly 75 years, the Greater Austin YMCA has evolved to address each community’s greatest needs, touching every phase of life and nurturing happier, healthier people, a stronger community and a better world.
We believe everyone deserves access to quality programs that are keeping our community strong. As a proud 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we provide financial assistance to expand access for our community members to learn, grow and thrive through our early learning childcare centers, fitness centers, youth programs, future workforce development, adult programming, mental health counseling and more.
The Y serves nearly 145,000 people each year across Travis, Williamson and Hays counties in eight community fitness centers, nearly 50 licensed campuses in four school districts and two YMCA Tomorrow Academy™ locations. Globally, the YMCA is one of the oldest and largest youth-serving organizations in the world. More information is available at www.austinymca.org.
