Bright Society
Renamed in 2024 to honor the late YMCA executive Judy Bright, the Bright Society is the YMCA of the Triangle’s legacy society. It recognizes donors whose endowment or planned gifts ensure the Y’s mission endures for generations.
To Become a Member of the Bright Society:
- Make the YMCA a beneficiary of a planned gift
- Contribute to the YMCA's Endowment
If you would like to include the YMCA of the Triangle, a particular branch of the Y, Camp Sea Gull, Camp Seafarer or Camp Kanata in your estate plans or establish an endowment, please let us know by filling out this brief form.
Contact Cole McLaughlin, VP of Philanthropy, to learn more.
Bright Spots
The stories behind some of the recent planned gifts and endowments that will support the YMCA of the Triangle into the future.
Gary and Susan Hunter Family Endowment
The Gary and Susan Hunter Family Endowment stands as a lasting tribute to their legacy of service, carried forward by Tim and his family.
Lasting Impact of One Quiet Life
A quiet, everyday member of the Northwest Cary YMCA found belonging, purpose and community within our walls—and left behind a legacy none of us expected. His extraordinary $1.8 million gift is a powerful reminder of how simple connections can change lives.
Louis and Martha Ruth Smith Family Endowment
The legacy of Louis and Martha Ruth Smith continues to shape the Kraft Family YMCA, growing even stronger with a remarkable estate gift that will support children and families for generations.
Kirk Kirkland Family Endowment
Kirk Kirkland’s three daughters say that some of their fondest childhood memories were made alongside their father in Y Guides. To honor those memories, Kirk’s mom, Ann, established a named endowment to benefit the program he loved.