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Down Family Y asks Ellsworth for $75,000 to support scholarships, youth recreation and child care
Summary
The Down Family Y requested $75,000 for fiscal 2027 to fund membership scholarships, youth sports and child care; CEO Matt McGomery emphasized local service and cited scholarship and program figures from 2025.
Matt McGomery, CEO of the Down Family Y, told the council the Y is asking Ellsworth for $75,000 in municipal support for fiscal year 2027 to fund three priorities: membership scholarships, youth recreation and child care. "In 2025 alone, we provided over $50,000 in scholarships to more than 350 Ellsworth residents or households," McGomery said, and he added the organization offered free access for sixth graders and weekend community hours.
McGomery said the Y’s service area includes every town in Hancock County except Mount Desert Island and that municipal requests are calibrated to the prior‑year services provided to each community. He told councilors the Y provided more than $70,000 worth of child‑care scholarships to Ellsworth households in 2025 and that the organization is one of the region’s largest childcare providers, capable of serving infants through after‑school programs and accepting state subsidy families.
Councilors pressed on how much of the requested funding would directly benefit Ellsworth residents and how the Y justifies asking taxpayers for support; McGomery answered that the town‑level ask reflects the prior year’s use and that the funds are used to underwrite local scholarships. The subcommittee and staff noted the Y request had been adjusted from last year’s $70,000 level and will be considered with other external organization requests during budget deliberations.
No formal action was taken at the workshop; staff will include the Y request in the budget process and supply detailed line items on subsequent budget pages.
