YMCA Celebrates 50 Years of Heroes
There are few New York venues that can make a gala feel as grand as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the YMCA of Greater New York’s 50th Annual Heroes of New York Gala felt right at home inside one of the city’s most iconic institutions.
More than 500 leaders from New York's business, civic, sports, and entertainment communities gathered for the milestone evening, which raised more than $1.6 million to support YMCA of Greater New York programs serving over 420,000 New Yorkers across the five boroughs.
The night had the feeling of a true New York celebration: polished, philanthropic, and full of familiar faces from different corners of the city. Guests arrived dressed for the occasion, catching up over cocktails before the formal program began, while the setting gave the evening an added sense of history and scale.
Gala Host Robby Hoffman
Sharon Greenberger, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York & Linda Kirkpatrick, president, Americas, Mastercard
Brad Sims New York City Football Club CEO
This year's honorees included Linda Kirkpatrick, President, Americas at Mastercard, and Brad Sims, CEO of New York City FC. Both were recognized for their leadership and commitment to expanding access to education, workforce development, youth programming, and community resources.
Guests enjoyed remarks, fundraising moments, and entertainment throughout the evening, including a special performance by Tony Award-winning actress and singer Ruthie Ann Miles. Emmy-winning writer, actress, and comedian Robby Hoffman served as emcee, bringing a sharp and lively energy to the program.
The evening also reflected the broad reach of the Y’s work in New York. For more than 174 years, the organization has served as a community anchor, offering programs that help New Yorkers of all ages build healthier, more connected lives.
Ruthie Ann Miles
DJ and Producer Sean Koons
Through her leadership at Mastercard, Kirkpatrick has helped advance initiatives focused on economic opportunity, small business growth, financial inclusion, and community development throughout the Americas. Sims, meanwhile, has helped position New York City FC as a force for community engagement beyond the soccer field, with the club reaching more than 50,000 young people through free programming, community fields, mentorship opportunities, and youth-focused initiatives.
After the formal program, the celebration continued at the YMCA's third annual Heroes After Party, where DJ Sean Koons kept guests on the dance floor and gave the milestone evening a festive closing note.
Proceeds from the gala will support YMCA of Greater New York programs including Rowe Scholars, Teen Night Out, afterschool programming, and community services across the five boroughs.
The gala also comes during an important chapter for the organization as it continues its 175th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising effort aiming to raise $175 million by 2027 to support the YMCA’s next era of impact and community investment.
As the YMCA approaches its 175th year, the gala served as both a celebration of the organization’s history and a reminder of how deeply its work remains woven into the life of New York City.
For more information, visit ymcanyc.org.