Supporting YMCA Dublin to Achieve Its Growth Ambitions

The Context

YMCA Dublin is a community-based charity committed to supporting young people, individuals, and families across Dublin.

Operating through two registered charities — City of Dublin YMCA Trust (established in 1897) and City of Dublin YMCA CLG (established in 2001) — YMCA Dublin functions under a unified governance structure. The CLG is the sole trustee of the Trust, ensuring cohesive and coordinated decision-making across both entities.

For over 175 years, YMCA Dublin has been creating safe spaces, delivering essential services, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Its work spans youth and community services, as well as affordable, accessible, and high-quality childcare. They bring vital resources to the communities that need them most and foster stronger, more sustainable communities.

Its mission is rooted in the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to belong to healthy, confident, secure, and connected communities.

Between 2022 and 2023, 2into3 supported YMCA Dublin in the areas of advisory and recruitment, helping to enable the organisation to deliver on its significant growth ambitions.

Organisational Review

In May 2022, YMCA Dublin commissioned 2into3 to undertake an organisational review to make recommendations for ensuring that its structure and capacity is fit-for-purpose for delivering on its ambitious Strategic Plan 2019-2026, in particular the goal of establishing three new community Hubs.

The review process included staff interviews, desk-based analysis of the Strategic Plan and organisational structure, and comparison with previous internal assessments. A steering group guided the development of design principles and reviewed potential structural models, while resource and talent mapping was carried out to project the costs of implementing the preferred structure over three years.

The organisational review identified critical areas in which Dublin YMCA needed to strengthen its capacity in order to deliver on its ambitions, and costed the phased implications of these changes. The review also identified the management and operations structure under which new Hubs would be overseen and supported.

Recruitment

Prior to and following the organisational review, 2into3 supported YMCA Dublin to fill key senior management positions in areas aligned with its strategic ambitions and aligned with the newly agreed organisational structure. 

A new Head of Finance & Corporate Services was appointed to guide financial planning, risk management, and capital development, supporting the rollout of three new Community Hubs. 2into3 conducted a targeted search, leading to the appointment of a highly experienced candidate following panel interviews.

In 2023, 2into3 also recruited a Communications Manager to strengthen YMCA Dublin’s brand and engagement strategy, and a Head of Community and Youth Services to lead the expansion and impact of youth services across the organisation. Each role followed a competitive recruitment process and resulted in the successful placement of experienced professionals equipped to help deliver YMCA Dublin’s ambitious goals.

 

Governance

In line with governance best practice and the code of good governance, YMCA Dublin commissioned 2into3 to undertake a review of the Board’s effectiveness. A tailored e-questionnaire was developed and shared with all Board members, providing opportunity for gathering quantitative and qualitative insights. The data collected was used for developing a comprehensive list of constructive feedback for YMCA Dublin to consider and discuss in a facilitated session.

The Result

In 2024, YMCA Dublin achieved significant milestones: it expanded its senior leadership team to support delivery, progressed partnerships for new centres launching in 2025, and deepened engagement with key stakeholders, positioning itself as a trusted community partner. The organisation also strengthened political relationships and laid the foundation for expanded services in new locations.

By early 2025, YMCA Dublin had already seen tangible results by engaging with over 100 young people and working with 185 families through early years and school-aged childcare. Feedback from parents reflected growing confidence and social development in children, highlighting the value of YMCA’s nurturing and impactful services.

“Working with 2into3 consultancy was a transformative experience for us. It not only provided an opportunity for deep internal reflection but also equipped us with a robust framework to enhance our organizational capacity. Thanks to their guidance, we’re now not only fit for purpose but also poised for growth in alignment with our strategic plan.“

– Kathryn O’Mahony, CEO, YMCA

Get in Touch

At 2into3, we offer a comprehensive breadth of supports to enable your organisation to have a transformative impact. If you would like to explore how 2into3 can support you with Talent Services, contact Shannon Barrett at shannon.barrett@2into3.com or for Advisory Services, contact Sheena Horgan at sheena.horgan@2into3.com.

For more information on our services, visit our webpage here.

Dublin

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Huckletree in The Academy,

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Dublin 2,

D02 YX88.

Ph: 01 574 0022

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