KNOWLEDGE, IMPACT AND INSPIRATION: PASS IT ON!

Dear NAYDO Members,

The new year always starts at full speed! At YMCA of the Jersey Shore, my days, evenings, and often weekends are packed with our January membership drive, Annual Support training and kickoff, and the rollout of our 37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Breakfast. On top of that, I’m still unpacking boxes and settling into our new home—though the dog has adjusted perfectly! 

In the midst of the rush, it’s easy to forget what an incredible resource NAYDO is. If you’re looking for a resolution you can actually keep, here’s one: put a sticky note on your computer to remind yourself that NAYDO members are generous in sharing their expertise and experiences. Whether it’s a quick check-in call to brainstorm, a webinar, or a network event, these moments often provide just the spark I need. I also love that conference handouts and communications award materials remain relevant long after the event ends. Be sure to register for NAYDO 2026 in Long Beach if you haven’t already!

Not sure where to start? Reach out to me or any NAYDO staff member—we’re here to help! You’ll be on your way to connecting with other Y staff and volunteers and tapping into a treasure trove of great information. I highly recommend joining one or two of the 10 NAYDO Networks. They’re loosely tied to Y positions and offer a fantastic way to discover new ideas or learn more about roles you may be interested in.

NAYDO offers year-round webinars and learning opportunities. Take advantage of them and start the new year NAYDO Strong!

In Y service,
Pam Hearn, CFRE
NAYDO Chair
Chief Development Officer, YMCA of the Jersey Shore

WEBINARS & VIRTUAL NETWORK EVENTS

NAYDO Webinar Series Sponsor: Funraise   
Join the 2026 YMCA Challenge giveaway! Together, Funraise and Daxko are donating $25,000 to one 2026 annual campaign. This fun and educational campaign is designed to empower YMCAs to fundraise more effectively and exceed their goals in 2026. Keep an eye on your mailbox for more information!   

Monthly Webinars

Thursday, January 15, 1:30-2:30 pm Central
Deeper Donor Relationships in Planned Giving: From Conversation to Legacy Commitment

Robyn Furness-Fallin and Gary Laermer, Senior Consultants | DBD Group   

Whether your YMCA is preparing a campaign, advancing a newly adopted strategic plan, or you’re seeking to grow professionally, planned giving is becoming an essential skill for today’s development staff. Yet entering this arena can feel overwhelming—part technical, part relational, and entirely rooted in donor trust.

In this session, Robyn Furness-Fallin and Gary Laermer will focus on relationship-building within planned giving: how to deepen long-term donor engagement and guide supporters toward legacy conversations with confidence. In the webinar you’ll learn how to build awareness, open meaningful conversations, and explore accessible follow-up options such as beneficiary designations on DAFs and retirement accounts, charitable gift annuities, and simple bequests.

You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how planned giving decisions are made over time, why these relationships must become institutional, and why stewardship continues even after a donor finalizes their gift.

Register

Monthly Webinar & NAYDO MarCom Network Event
Network Sponsor: TheMovement.shop by Radar Promotions
Thursday, February 19, 1:30-2:30 pm Central

Using Email to Raise Money and Grow Your List 
Rachel Muir, CFRE, League of Extraordinary Fundraisers
Register

Details are being planned for ...

NAYDO Operations Network 
Network Sponsor: Operate Fit

NAYDO Network: Staff New to Leading YMCA Development
Network Sponsor: SCORE Sports
 

NAYDO 2026 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION THROUGH JANUARY 30

New year, new  budget - time to register for the 2026 Conference! Check out the conference, so you don’t miss out on THE place to learn about YMCA philanthropy. It's May 6-9 in Long Beach, California.

Registering for NAYDO is an investment in discovering the pathway to more revenue for your Y. REGISTER now!  

January 30 Deadline Reminders to the 1,000 Members already registered: 
⇒ Unnamed Spots
HOTELS require names to match those of registered attendees by January 30. If your Y has a sub-block or multiple spaces held under the same name, the real attendee names need to be provided by January 30 to the NAYDO registration database AND to your hotel.

⇒ Balances Due
All balances are due in January. This is especially important for those who chose the $100 deposit only registration.

⇒ Financial Assistance Awards Announced
The contact person for each financial assistance application received was notified on Monday, December 29, by email. If your Y applied by the December 8 deadline and did not receive this email, notify Mary Zoller immediately.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CLASS OF 2026
January 15 Deadline

Have a staff person 35 years of age or younger at time of conference who could benefit from an enhanced networking and learning experience at NAYDO 2026?

Submit an application for NAYDO’s Young Professional Class of 2026 by January 15. There is no additional cost. It's an opportunity for goal setting, peer and mentor connections, a recommended workshop plan, and recognition at the conference. Applicant must be in attendance from Wednesday Orientation session through Friday Philanthropy Forum. Contact info@naydo.org or Chair Courtney Cordero. 

NAYDO COMMUNICATIONS CONTEST
Last Day to Enter is
January 15

Is your Y demonstrating excellence in Strategic Communications for philanthropy? Do you have an innovate campaign, using creative storytelling and impactful strategies that strengthens philanthropy and community engagement? An exemplary cause communicator?

If so, it's time you consider putting in an application for a NAYDO Communication Award for recognition at the 2026 conference! You can learn more by visiting YMCA Strategic Communications Awards, take a peek at past winners for inspiration and then complete the online nomination form by January 15, 2026!

If you have questions or would like to connect about your nomination, please contact Christina Harley, CFRE, or Rob Totaro, Communications Contest Co-Chairs. 

NAYDO COUNCIL NEWS

Welcome to Jude Dooley, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer with the YMCA of Greater Birmingham, recently elected to NAYDO Council.

Jude oversees a $31 million association that has achieved double-digit annual campaign growth, secured a $25M public-private partnership to build a Childcare Center of Excellence, and is in the process of launching a multi-million-dollar capital campaign.

A longtime trainer and faculty member for Y-USA fundraising courses, Jude helps to equip Y leaders nationwide to strengthen their case for support and build cultures of generosity. He served in senior leadership roles with the YMCAs of Metro Atlanta and Northwest North Carolina. He is a graduate of the Y-USA CEO Preparatory Institute. 

DAY OF GIVING
INFO SESSION

Join Y-USA for an information session and materials review for 2026 YMCA Day of Giving (held in March). 

January 14, 3:00-3:45 pm Central/4:00-4:45 Eastern

Register

TIPS & TACTICS

Development
Re-engaging lapsed donors  Nonprofit Hub

It's Time to Tech with David Schwab DickersonBakker

Leadership
Busy vs. productive? What 3 things do I want to accomplish today?  Rolling Stone

12 Nonprofit Stats from 2025  Nonprofit Pro

MarCom
The Must-Have Annual Report Manual  Funraise

eDevelopments Disclaimer
Unless they are NAYDO members, sponsors or exhibitors, NAYDO does not endorse or support the websites, consultants or other resources cited in these articles and links. The information is provided as food for thought only! 

Contact the NAYDO Office, info@naydo.org or 504 858 3379 

Make 2026 inspiring and impactful!