92YTribeca became part of the 92nd Street Y in 2001 when the newer organization, a cultural program serving New Yorkers in their 20s and 30s, merged with the 130-year-old-plus Y. The merger was proposed by 92YTribeca's founder, philanthropist and retired hedge-fund manager Michael Steinhardt. In February of that year, Mr. Steinhardt generously gave the Y the building he had purchased and refurbished for Makor (Hebrew for "source") at 35 West 67th Street on the Upper West Side. Through this gift, the largest contribution ever made to the Y by an individual, the innovative cultural center was united with one of New York's leading arts, education and community organizations and one of the country's largest and oldest Jewish community centers.

Makor, as the center was called at the time, opened in 1999 with the aim of promoting the arts and providing opportunities for personal connection and Jewish exploration. Within a few years, Makor had established itself as a place where new artists could develop their work and audiences could find innovative, thought-provoking entertainment. Makor's music cafe has been recognized in Rolling Stone and Spin as one of the premier venues in the city while Makor's film program is known for its broad range of classic, art-house films, Jewish-themed, Israeli, cult and alternative offerings.

Now called 92YTribeca, Makor's successful community-building can be seen in the variety of social and professional networks and volunteer opportunities to which it has given birth. 92YTribeca has also given, and continues to give, New Yorkers in their 20s and 30s opportunities for spiritual exploration within an environment committed to Jewish pluralism and intellectual excellence.

In 2002, the 92nd Street Y launched a new program at 92YTribeca, albeit in the daytime rather than in the evenings. Appropriately named Daytime, the groundbreaking initiative offers baby boomers beginning to transition out of the full-time workforce a place to map out the next phase of their lives, explore things they have not had time for in years, and enjoy the camaraderie of others in the same position.

Both 92YTribeca and Daytime offered a welcoming, intimate environment in which their constituencies can relax, reflect and refresh their spirits. The programs' hallmarks are the sense of community each program creates and the opportunity each offers its participants to get "up close and personal" both with their fellow participants and with the programs' speakers, artists, performers and educators.

In the spring of 2007, the 92nd Street Y announced that both Makor and Daytime were moving to Tribeca in 2008. In the heart of one of the city's most vibrant and rapidly developing neighborhoods, the new location, at 200 Hudson Street, in Tribeca have enabled the programs to expand on the success they have enjoyed uptown and to serve new audiences in and around this bustling part of town.