RESET YOUR ATTITUDE: ARE YOU THE ONE HOLDING THINGS UP?
A call for nonprofit leaders to reset their mindset by choosing curiosity over comfort—unlocking innovation, deeper mission impact, and team-wide growth.
In 1951, the Porter County YMCA facility was built on Byron Smith’s property, and enlarged with a subsequent land gift from Thelma and Max Dickey, on the corner of Washington and Chicago Streets in Valparaiso.
For 58 years, that Y strengthened the community by giving all people opportunities to learn, thrive and grow. Eventually, the needs of the community exceeded the capacity of the building. This led to the construction of an 82,000-square-foot facility with natural light, high ceilings, and green technology to save energy and promote a healthier environment.
This new facility opened on May 4, 2009, at Cumberland Crossing on the north side of Valparaiso to better serve the needs of the community. It was an instant hit and membership grew rapidly over the subsequent years.
Part of the building costs for the new facility were financed through local lenders. While the debt was manageable, the Y’s staff and volunteer leaders knew that they could better ensure the future of the YMCA and its ability to serve the community by reducing that debt and building the endowment fund.
“For every million dollars of debt reduction, the YMCA would have $60,000 available that would have had to go toward interest payments. That’s $60,000 that instead could be invested back in the community through programs, scholarships and more,” explained Bob Wanek, Valparaiso Family YMCA CEO.
In 2010, the Valparaiso YMCA hired Donor By Design to assist in a multi-faceted debt reduction, capital and endowment campaign. Three years later, the board and staff are celebrating securing more than $2.3 million in gifts and pledges to the “Promises Kept Campaign.”
“I felt like we had the entire resources of the Donor by Design team on our side…they were creative, energetic, motivational, and developed effective strategic moves throughout the campaign that kept us positive and on task,” explained Bob.
In addition to providing campaign counsel, Donor By Design worked with the YMCA to develop a partnership with Methodist Hospitals. That partnership includes a three-phase plan to implement a comprehensive community wellness initiative.
Congratulations to the volunteers and staff of the Valparaiso Family YMCA on a successful campaign!
A call for nonprofit leaders to reset their mindset by choosing curiosity over comfort—unlocking innovation, deeper mission impact, and team-wide growth.
Today, nonprofit leaders may feel challenged, as the funding and practices they have counted on in the past may no longer be available in the same ways. Whether you work in a nonprofit or volunteer as a board member, navigating uncertainty is part of the job description.
Today, nonprofit leaders may feel challenged, as the funding and practices they have counted on in the past may no longer be available in the same ways. Whether you work in a nonprofit or volunteer as a board member, navigating uncertainty is part of the job description.
Development staff, CEOs, and marketing teams can empower board members to use storytelling as an effective and comfortable way to participate in the crucial work of raising money.
One might wonder how can any organization create a strategic plan if they don’t know which end is up right now?
The time between Thanksgiving and year-end offers a prime window for fundraising.
Nonprofit boards often find themselves stuck in a rut, performing the same old tasks with the same agenda month after month, with little impact
Many board agendas are static reviews of the past, leading to passive participation, listening to committee report after committee report.
Today, nonprofit leaders may feel challenged, as the funding and practices they have counted on in the past may no longer be available in the same ways. Whether you work in a nonprofit or volunteer as a board member, navigating uncertainty is part of the job description.
Today, nonprofit leaders may feel challenged, as the funding and practices they have counted on in the past may no longer be available in the same ways. Whether you work in a nonprofit or volunteer as a board member, navigating uncertainty is part of the job description.
A call for nonprofit leaders to reset their mindset by choosing curiosity over comfort—unlocking innovation, deeper mission impact, and team-wide growth.
As we move through the year, nonprofit leaders need to ask themselves: Are we where we hoped to be? These check-ins are about more than forecasting—they are a strategic opportunity.
Turmoil and uncertainty can leave nonprofit volunteers and staff at a loss. Turns out, there is much we can do to keep fundraising forward.
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