Breaking Records, Building Futures: How a Small Town Tackled an $18M Capital Campaign and United a Community
In a small Illinois town, a community faced a daunting challenge: “How do you raise $18 million—with no debt—to build a full-service YMCA in a place where no such facility had ever existed?” This was the big question—and the dream—that brought the Greater Joliet Area YMCA and its determined leaders, Missy Durkin and Katy LeClair, to DBD Group’s door.
Over the next seven years, guided by DBD Group’s expertise and coaching, a grassroots campaign not only beat fundraising records but gave Morris, Illinois, a brand new full-service YMCA. For DBD Group, celebrating 20 years means celebrating stories like this—where bold vision, partnership, and a little audacity can beat the odds.
Here’s how a community’s biggest capital campaign—and biggest risk—became one of its proudest achievements.
The Client: Greater Joliet Area YMCA
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, serving two counties with childcare and health programs through three facilities and over 50 outreach locations.
Led by President and CEO Katy LeClair and Chief Business Development Officer Missy Durkin, the organization had spent years dreaming of a permanent home for its Morris hospital branch—a vision that demanded audacious fundraising and united community leadership.
Background: Why Their Work Matters
For many years, the Morris YMCA operated as a “Y without walls,” relying on borrowed spaces from schools and old city halls, repurposing whatever they could to bring wellness and connection to local residents. “We really had to be creative in how we repurposed space into a place that would offer an activity center and kids' corner, health and wellness, and community space for members,” Missy recalls.
In a rural county of 55,000, where the community spirit runs deep, the need for a permanent YMCA in Morris was clear—but the goal of funding it felt out of reach. The project was bigger than anything ever attempted in the county. But the impact, if successful, would continue for generations.
As Katy puts it, “The Y is really all about creating spaces and programs where people can connect and where communities can thrive.” Beyond physical fitness, the new Morris Hospital YMCA would become a true hub of health—offering cardiac rehab, occupational and speech therapy, and a place “to care for the health of our entire community” in partnership with Morris Hospital.
Before Working With DBD Group: A Daunting Task & Lingering Doubt
As Missy and Katy considered the need and looked at the numbers, the barrier felt insurmountable. “It was a daunting number when we were putting together the pro forma…$18 million,” said Missy. It would be the biggest campaign they have ever attempted. Considering the capacity in their small town, they wondered, “Is that capacity even here?”
Most fundraising in Morris up until this point relied on small events—a few thousand dollars here and there. However, this target dwarfed every previous campaign they’ve done. Katy reflects on how her team felt about the fundraising task ahead of them, “Everyone wanted to know that this had been done before. They wanted the confidence of knowing that if we follow a plan, we could be successful too.”
After experiencing DBD Group’s support on previous campaigns, Katy and Missy knew DBD Group could provide a roadmap—and steady support—on their biggest leap yet.
Ultimate Goal: Raise $18M With No Debt
The ultimate goal was ambitious: Raise $18M to build a new YMCA in Morris, Illinois, with no debt. It was both a financial and inspirational target—serving not only the immediate needs of a growing population but delivering a full-service YMCA with robust programming, including health and wellness, and a community pool that all would enjoy.
But the campaign’s success was about more than a building—it was about transforming how Morris saw itself and how the Y could support the health and wellness of its community for generations to come.
Recommended Solution: Expertise, Accountability & Partnership
DBD Group recommended a two-part solution: first, a rigorous feasibility study to help uncover the community’s feedback and interest in the project. Then, a full-scale capital campaign embedded with community leadership and coaching accountability. Our services included campaign counsel, case development, volunteer coaching, and ongoing strategic guidance.
Missy credits the trusted playbook and coaching for giving her greater confidence going forward. “What was immediately calming about working with DBD was that they had a playbook. They helped to reinforce the plan consistently with—leadership, case, prospects, and the plan. That set us up for success.”
Katy continues, “DBD came in and shared examples of how other communities had done similar legacy work, and that really inspired the team to have the confidence that it’s been done before and we could do it too.”
Process: Building Confidence, Navigating Crisis & Fostering Ownership
Our process began with deep listening—interviewing nearly 30 community stakeholders in feasibility interviews and uncovering hidden ties to the Y even among residents who never imagined themselves as donors. “The masterful way they could draw people into the conversation and get information was great,” said Missy.
The campaign playbook fostered both accountability and strategic patience, which proved critical, especially as the world shifted in 2020. “When all of us hit a pandemic, it was uncharted territory,” said Missy.
It was a tough season, but we pivoted our coaching, kept volunteers engaged through regular meetings, and adapted messaging for pandemic realities. Ultimately, the promise and the story of the Morris YMCA drew people in—the community still wanted a permanent place to foster health, wellness, and community care. As a result, they still raised $900,000, already beating the odds early in their campaign.
As the campaign continued, the leadership cabinet, which consisted of couples from the community, operated as a family unit, hosting meetings at homes, sharing meals, and rallying around motivational mantras like, "Get It Built,” inspired by the late volunteer Ron Wohlwend.
Touchpoints, stewardship, and ongoing communication kept donors and volunteers invested through every dip and detour.
Outcome & ROI: Health & Community Connection
When the doors to the Morris YMCA opened in December 2024, Morris gained not just a building but a new heartbeat for the community. “People act like it’s been here forever, and it’s only been here six months!” Katy exclaimed.
The impact stretches beyond new walls and programming. Thanks to the visionary partnership with Morris Hospital, the YMCA now features 10,000 square feet of dedicated healthcare space for cardiac rehabilitation, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and more—making it a true hub for community health and wellness. Now the Y serves not only as a site for fitness but as a center for healing and connection.
The campaign itself became a model for grassroots engagement as well. With volunteer leadership consisting of couples and families, neighbors built lifelong bonds. Through the leadership of staff, donors, and volunteers, the project fostered a sense of true ownership and pride.
Key Learnings & Discoveries
The Morris Hospital YMCA campaign yielded valuable lessons for anyone considering a major fundraising effort, especially those partnering with DBD Group.
- Leadership, trust, and authentic relationships are the foundation of every successful campaign. Building a culture rooted in these values helps unite staff, volunteers, and donors around a shared purpose.
- Follow a proven plan. “You’re a fool not to follow a proven playbook!” Missy reflected, capturing the importance of strategic guidance, patience, and accountability over checklist-driven fundraising.
- Dedicate time for deep listening and curiosity. Effective relationship-building starts by truly understanding what motivates donors. As Missy shared, “To get them to care, we have to understand what they care about first,” echoing DBD Group’s philosophy of aligning mission with donor passion.
- Cultivate stewardship and ongoing connection. Success means not just securing gifts, but maintaining regular touchpoints and keeping supporters informed and engaged long after the initial donation.
- Empower volunteer leadership. The campaign flourished by inviting couples and families into leadership roles that fostered trust and built lasting bonds. “Our volunteers became our extended family,” Missy recalled, pointing to the power of grassroots involvement in driving results.
These guiding principles—leadership, proven strategy, meaningful engagement, stewardship, and volunteer empowerment—will equip the organization and its people to thrive for years to come.
Conclusion: Audacious Goals Are Possible With the Right Partner
For the Greater Joliet Area YMCA, partnership with DBD Group meant more than meeting fundraising goals—it meant gaining confidence and strategic support to serve their community.
“In addition to everything they've helped us with, with capital campaigns, they've offered guidance and advice and coaching and training on our major gift work and everything else,” Missy shares. “There's really a full scope of services and a whole host of ways they've supported our team. I can't say enough about the way that they can help others!”
Katy encourages people considering working with DBD Group in the future, “Just do it! They’re going to provide a roadmap and team that will rally your community together, giving you the confidence that you can do it too. As we think about the future, we are embarking on our third campaign with them, and we would trust DBD to really walk us through any campaign.”
For DBD Group, relationships like these are why we do what we do—celebrating clients’ growth, impact, and success, and finding joy in being part of their journey.Your cause matters. Let’s ensure it’s thriving!
Ready to “get it built?” DBD Group is here to help your cause not only achieve its vision but also inspire a community to believe anything is possible. Let’s write your next chapter together!
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