Behind a Big New Idea: How YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region Gained Flexibility Without Losing Members

For many nonprofits, the hardest part of planning a budget is making tradeoffs that feel like compromises. Do we cut a program to save on costs? Do we raise membership dues and risk losing trust? Can we sustain our mission without asking more from the people we serve?

The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region faced these exact questions.

Inflation was driving up operational costs. Program demand was rising. And like many organizations, they had already done the hard work of streamlining operations and optimizing resources. But even then, the math didn’t add up.

So, instead of choosing between increasing dues or trimming services, they did something different. They turned to Flex Fees; a small, optional charge tied to how members choose to pay. And it worked.

The idea behind Flex Fees is simple: instead of raising everyone’s dues, you add a modest, clearly disclosed fee when members use credit cards. Members who prefer to avoid the fee can pay by debit, ACH, or other methods. And organizations can customize who’s charged; capping the fee and communicating everything transparently.

For Pikes Peak Y, this was the game-changer. The team worked closely with Daxko to configure Flex Fees in a way that aligned with their values and protected access for their most vulnerable families. They were thoughtful, strategic, and clear in how they rolled it out.

The results were undeniable. Since launching Flex Fees, YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region has:

• Saved over $300,000 annually
• Maintained strong member retention and satisfaction
• Increased confidence among board and finance leaders
• Reinvested savings into program expansion and community outreach

For a mission-based organization, this wasn’t just financial relief—it was mission protection.

The success of the Pikes Peak Y came down to three key factors:

• Clarity: Members understood what the fee was, why it existed, and how to avoid it if preferred.
• Control: Staff configured the program to protect equity and align with internal policies.
• Community Buy-In: By trusting their members, they received trust in return.

What stood out most was the trust they maintained with their community. Members weren’t blindsided. They were informed. And most importantly, they were given a choice.

Flex Fees was framed as one more way for members to support the Y’s mission, simply by choosing how they pay. Staff were equipped with messaging and FAQs. The front desk had clear talking points. The communication was owned.

As CEO Boyd Williams shared, “It’s about ensuring the long-term sustainability of the programs our members rely on, without burdening the people who need us most.”

The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region isn’t alone in facing budget strain. Countless YMCAs, JCCs, and community centers are grappling with the same tension: keep dues flat, or cut what matters most?

But what their story shows is that there is another way. With the right approach, Flex Fees can help nonprofits:

• Offset rising processing costs without rate hikes
• Protect equity and accessibility through configuration
• Build stronger, more transparent relationships with members

And most importantly, continue delivering the impact their communities count on.

Flex Fees is about choosing smarter in order to preserve your mission, access, and momentum.

Use Daxko’s ROI calculator to explore how Flex Fees could help you reclaim costs and reinvest in what matters most.