YMCA Blue Ridge has not demonstrated that it is an eligible PNP applicant which owns or operates an eligible PNP facility. Therefore, this appeal is denied. Appeal Letter William Ray Director North Carolina Emergency Management 4236 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC, 27699-4236 Melissa Logan President and CEO Young Men’s Christian Association Blue Ridge Assembly 84 Blue Ridge Circle Black Mountain, NC 28711 Re: Second Appeal – Young Men’s Christian Association Blue Ridge Assembly, PA ID: 021-UODRX-00, FEMA-4827-DR-NC, Request for Public Assistance, Private Nonprofit Dear William Ray and Melissa Logan: This is in response to the letter dated July 25, 2025 from North Carolina Emergency Management, which forwarded the referenced second appeal on behalf of the Young Men’s Christian Association Blue Ridge Assembly (YMCA Blue Ridge). YMCA Blue Ridge is appealing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) denial of its Request for Public Assistance. As explained in the enclosed analysis, I have determined that YMCA Blue Ridge has not demonstrated it is an eligible private nonprofit (PNP) applicant because it does not own or operate an eligible PNP facility. Accordingly, I am denying this appeal. This determination is the final decision on this matter pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.206. Sincerely, /S/ Robert M. Pesapane Director, Public Assistance Enclosure cc: Robert Ashe Acting Regional Administrator FEMA Region 4 Appeal Analysis Background During the incident period of September 25, 2024, to December 18, 2024, Tropical Storm Helene caused damage throughout the state of North Carolina.[1] On October 16, 2024, the Young Men’s Christian Association Blue Ridge Assembly (YMCA Blue Ridge), a private nonprofit (PNP) entity, submitted a Request for Public Assistance (RPA), claiming that it owns an eligible community center, and that 15 buildings on its campus were impacted by the event.[2] The YMCA Blue Ridge campus contains amenities including gathering halls and event spaces, a dining hall, playground, sports fields, various challenge courses, and multiple hotel style housing options and cottages. The YMCA Blue Ridge website states that: YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly provides positive, life-changing experiences and quality programs and services through well-trained, empowered staff. From arrival to departure, we strive to have a lasting impact on those we serve, embracing Christian hospitality and welcoming all people from all places with caring, honesty, responsibility, and respect. We can accommodate day, overnight and multi-day stays and provide the ideal venue for groups of all sizes, including: School Field Trips, Spiritual Retreats, Church Retreats, Youth Camps, Teambuilding Retreats, Family Reunions, Non-Profit Organizations, [and] Training Opportunities.[3] FEMA issued a Request for Information (RFI) requesting documentation regarding the services provided in the damaged facility, the membership criteria and fee policy, proof of the established purpose of the facility, and evidence of longstanding, routine (day-to-day) use. YMCA Blue Ridge responded with a calendar of activities and a letter stating that it is a community center that provides essential social services such as educational and cultural enrichment activities. It stated that the services are available to all, though it acknowledged that it charges fees for rooms, meals, and activities. FEMA issued a Determination Memorandum on December 2, 2024, finding that YMCA Blue Ridge operated a camp and retreat center that did not provide critical or non-critical essential social services and therefore, was not an eligible PNP applicant. First Appeal YMCA Blue Ridge appealed, stating that its purpose is to serve its local community by acting as a destination for community-focused educational and social activities, and arguing that 85-90 percent of the events it holds constitute eligible essential social services. YMCA Blue Ridge stated that its scheduled events include team building, environmental awareness, and cultural heritage art projects for schools; music festivals, crafting, and dance programs; and social gatherings. YMCA Blue Ridge stated it is open to the general public and allows any local association, school, or nonprofit to use its facilities if they pay certain fees based on costs incurred for the facility, staffing and food, but stated that it provides financial assistance to address individuals’ inability to pay. North Carolina Emergency Management (Recipient) forwarded YMCA Blue Ridge’s first appeal to FEMA on February 1, 2025, expressing its support. FEMA issued an RFI requesting a map and list of all impacted buildings, proof of ownership, the primary purpose of each building, schedule of activities, floorplans, the portion of time spent on eligible services, fee information, and YMCA Blue Ridge’s application for a Small Business Administration loan. YMCA Blue Ridge responded, providing the requested documentation, identifying impacts to 17 buildings and primary damage and clean up at five buildings, detailing the activities that occurred at the campus as supported by a calendar of events, and clarifying the fees it charged for lodging, meals, space, and staff support.[4] It explained that it hosts events that are consistent with the list of eligible PNP community center services in FEMA policy, outside of a few activities that fall under the category of ineligible vocational training or recreation. It also indicated that its per person, per day, fees average $120.00 for adults, $94.00 for youths and teens, and $60.00 for children, and that it offered scholarship assistance on a case-by-case basis. The FEMA Region 4 Regional Administrator denied the appeal on May 14, 2015, finding that YMCA Blue Ridge was not an eligible PNP because it did not own or operate an eligible PNP facility. FEMA explained that while some of the YMCA Blue Ridge’s events may have qualified as eligible services, YMCA Blue Ridge did not provide adequate information to demonstrate eligibility. Second Appeal YMCA Blue Ridge submitted a second appeal in a letter dated July 2, 2025, reiterating first appeal arguments and providing further descriptions of the activities held in its buildings. The Recipient forwarded the appeal to FEMA in a letter dated July 25, 2025. Discussion To be eligible for PA funding, a PNP applicant must own or operate an eligible PNP facility.[5] An eligible PNP facility is one that provides educational, utility, emergency, medical, or custodial care services, or a noncritical, essential social service to the general public.[6] Community centers established and primarily used for eligible services by the general public are eligible PNP facilities.[7] Facilities established or primarily used for political, athletic, recreational, vocational, or academic training, conferences, or similar activities, or for meetings or activities for only a brief period or at irregular intervals, are ineligible.[8] YMCA Blue Ridge states that it owns an eligible community center where it hosts eligible PNP events and activities. However, YMCA Blue Ridge’s documentation and website demonstrate that its campus serves as a venue to host day, overnight, and multi-day stays for other organizations’ camps, retreats, reunions, training opportunities, and community-focused activities.[9] For a fee, YMCA Blue Ridge provides lodging, meals, meeting spaces, and staff for leadership development and outdoor activities.[10] While YMCA Blue Ridge claims that the activities it hosts fall under the category of eligible community center services, simply hosting other organizations’ activities during brief stays while providing meals and staff support does not make a facility an eligible community center. Instead, the record demonstrates that YMCA Blue Ridge owns and operates an ineligible recreational facility, camp, or retreat center where outside organizations offer a variety of activities for a brief period or at irregular intervals.[11] Therefore, YMCA Blue Ridge has not demonstrated that it owns or operates an eligible PNP facility that provides critical or noncritical, essential social services to the general public. Conclusion