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FiftyNorth & Northfield Area Family YMCA To Merge

The two community-serving nonprofits will legally merge as of January 1, 2027 to serve greater Northfield together

Northfield, Minn., October 2, 2026 –  FiftyNorth and the Northfield Area Family YMCA have approved a Plan of Merger to advance wellbeing in greater Northfield. The two community-serving nonprofits will join forces to help people thrive through every stage of life.

After two years of planning and evaluation, FiftyNorth will legally merge into the Northfield Area Family YMCA as of January 1, 2027. Starting in 2027, the larger, combined organization will embark on a multi-year effort to expand wellbeing services. FiftyNorth will continue to serve its senior-focused mission and deliver programming and services for people north of fifty under the new name, “FiftyNorth at the YMCA.” Current FiftyNorth leadership, management, and staff will join the YMCA team and continue in their current roles.

FiftyNorth at the YMCA will continue to operate at its current Northfield Community Resource Center location while the combined organization evaluates long-term facility plans. Those plans are expected to include exploring an expansion of the current Y campus that could bring the organizations together under one roof.

“This merger allows us to positively impact more lives and promote wellbeing in greater Northfield together. By teaming up, we will strengthen and grow the FiftyNorth mission, AND contribute our senior-serving expertise to the larger, combined organization. This is a win-win, and it was a real team effort. Staff, board and membership across both organizations leaned in and worked very hard to ensure that merging is the best path forward for everyone. 85% of our voting members approved our board’s unanimous recommendation to merge with the Y. This wasn’t just a green light– this was a mandate. We are very excited,” says Marlais Brand, Executive Director of FiftyNorth.

Tyler Powell, CEO of the Northfield YMCA, says, “FiftyNorth brings 50 years of expertise in promoting thriving through aging, and the Northfield Y is part of a movement with more than 175 years of experience helping people of all ages build mind, body and spirit. Together, we have an opportunity to support physical fitness, social connection, and learning in complementary ways, across every season of life. We can now build something that offers even more value to individuals and families in our community. I am incredibly excited about what we will build, create, and innovate together.”

About FiftyNorth:

FiftyNorth is a unique and friendly thriving-through-aging community dedicated to fostering wellbeing for adults north of 50. FiftyNorth promotes whole-person health through a diversity of engaging and fun fitness and community programs. For 50 years, FiftyNorth has served active adults in greater Northfield with classes and events designed to enhance the lives of 2000 people every year.

 

About Northfield YMCA:

The Northfield Area Family YMCA strengthens the greater Northfield community by helping people of all ages learn, grow and thrive. The Y serves thousands of children, families, adults and older adults through membership, programs, partnerships and opportunities to connect and belong. Locally governed and community-focused, the Y is guided by the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.