NAYDO eDEVELOPMENTS
March 2025 News from North American YMCA Development Organization
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Message from the NAYDO Chair
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Dear NAYDO Members, Like YMCA boards worldwide, NAYDO Council members devote time in committees and meetings to strategic planning. The Council recently developed this vision statement: NAYDO will be the global catalyst for inspiring and equipping YMCA leaders, staff, and volunteers to embrace and advance a culture of philanthropy that transforms communities. By fostering innovation, collaboration, and leadership development, NAYDO will empower YMCAs around the world to become sustainable, impactful organizations that effectively address the evolving needs of their communities through philanthropy. Through world-class education, trusted resources, and strategic partnerships, NAYDO will serve as the go-to resource for philanthropic excellence, expanding its reach and influence to support YMCAs around the world. As a thought leader and unifying force, NAYDO will help bridge diverse perspectives across the movement, ensuring every YMCA has the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to achieve its mission. NAYDO envisions a future where philanthropy is deeply embedded in the DNA of the YMCA movement globally, unlocking the full potential of YMCAs to build stronger, healthier, and more connected communities. Together, we will shape a sustainable and impactful future for generations to come. As my term as NAYDO chair ends in April, I want to ensure that NAYDO is well positioned for future growth, unexpected circumstances, and continued success. Continuity is a NAYDO strength. We’ve developed a strong leadership succession plan and will keep reviewing and enhancing our strategic plan. The commitment of Y staff, volunteers, consultants, and others who share their time and expertise is growing. Thanks to you, NAYDO’s future is bright! In gratitude, |
Carolyn Grady, NAYDO Chair
SVP, Chief Development Officer, YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh
MONTHLY WEBINAR SERIES
Thursday, March 20, 1:30-2;30 pm Central
The Art and Science of Building a Successful Major Gifts Program
Match Nonprofit Consulting Presenters:
Debbie Sontupe, Founder and President; Mary Kay Polston and Todd McPherson-Gray, Senior Consultants
Join in an interactive and engaging session designed to support YMCAs in deepening donor relationships and building a strong pipeline for major gifts. Through an exploration of trends, sharing of case studies, and hands-on exercises, participants will:
· Learn about the key elements of successful major gifts programs
· Understand the critical roles that board and staff members can play in your major gifts program
· Develop cultivation strategies to build meaningful donor relationships
· Gain confidence and tools needed to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors effectively.
These three members of the Match Nonprofit Consulting team - all seasoned development professionals and YMCA alumni - have raised millions of dollars for and with local YMCAs!
No April webinar due to the Conference. Join us May 15 with a Legacy and Endowment webinar.
NAYDO Webinars qualify for Y-USA Leadership Recertification and CFRE certification credit. Past webinars are posted on the members-only section of the website. Contact Kristen Obaranec, CFRE, if you have trouble locating them.NAYDO NETWORKS: UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS
NAYDO Networks are peer groups – loosely based on job duties – where you can ask questions, share ideas, find solutions, and connect with peers in the Y Movement. Here are the latest Network events.
MarCom Network
Thursday, March 6, 1-2 pm Central
Mailed It!: How to Write Emails People Will Read
Presenter: Ashley Budd, Senior Marketing Director at Cornell University
Emails can help you build relationships and drive donors to take action. People still read emails, but not in the way you expect. Learn tested writing techniques from Ashley’s new book, Mailed It!, optimized for how people actually read emails. These strategies will help ensure your messages are received and your links get clicked.
Register
Sponsor: Radar Promotions
Program & Membership Network
March 25, 2025, 1-2 pm Central
Using Online Platforms to Drive Fundraising
Speaker: Blythe Smith - Fund Development Director, Anderson Area YMCA
Join us for an interview format presentation during which you will gain inspiration and insight from the Anderson Area YMCA Fund Development Director about their scholarship program learnings, one of their primary fundraising priorities, and how they have been able to integrate their campaign into Amilia to drive more donations online. An open forum will follow where we will welcome your questions and hope to hear about what you're implementing at your own Y associations.
Network Sponsor: Amilia
Under $4m Network
Thursday, April 3, 11am-12 pm Central
Save the date. Details shared soon.
Network Sponsor: American City Bureau
Camp Network
Tuesday, April 15, 2-3 pm Central
Hot Topics
Facilitators:
Melissa Di Fiori, Vice President of Camping, YMCA Storer Camps
Drew Hullinger, Vice President of Residential and Outdoor Programs, YMCA of Metro Atlanta
Matt Clark, District Vice President, Gateway Region YMCA
Michael Burger, Director of Development & Alumni Relations, South Mountain YMCA Camps
Join the NAYDO Camp Network and Y-USA Camp Cabinet for camp hot topics. We'll split into small groups and have informal discussions around camp fundraising and philanthropy:
- Creative fundraising initiatives for campers & staff
- Bereavement giving & planned giving groups for Camp
- Infusing Camp into philanthropy at your Y
- Making Camp a vital part of branch campaigns
Register
Network Sponsor: Day Camp Community
Participate in and learn from any of NAYDO's 10 Networks. Don't miss out on these great learning opportunities! To receive e-blasts about Network events, add the networks you choose to your database record using this link. Questions about Networks? Contact Erica Halpern, Networks Manager
NAYDO 2025 CONFERENCE
Conference Registration is Still Open
It’s not too late if you want to register for the NAYDO Conference as space still remains. More than 1,650 people will be at NAYDO 2025. Discover the latest schedule and what the conference experience has to offer in the Advance Planner.
2025 Conference Schedule Advance Planner
Conference fee includes most meals and participation in Philanthropy School Fundamentals, Sponsor Showcase Workshops, General Sessions, Educational Workshops, Network Events, Hot Topics, Special Sessions, Philanthropy Live! projects, and the closing party at the Gateway Arch.
Hotel Reservations - NAYDO Will Assist
NAYDO Conference hotel rates are only good through the first week of April (exact date varies with each hotel). Limited rooms available but you can still find a room at the hotels on the website. If not, contact Mary Zoller or call 504 858 3379 with your arrival and departure dates. NAYDO will assist you ONLY if you are registered for the conference.
A STRATEGY FOR MID-LEVEL GIVING
At the February webinar, staff from YMCA of the North shared their strategy and results with a mid-level giving program. It is worth sharing again!
The Critical Middle: YMCA Annual Fund Strategy Reimagined
Shane Hoefer, Mission Advancement
Monica Kenney, Senior Director of Donor & Alumni Relations
Kurt Simer, Lead Mid-level Gift Officer
With donor attrition spiking following the pandemic, YMCA of the North applied a traditional yet ground-breaking mid-level giving strategy to the Annual Fund. By braiding a focused team of gift officers, intentional waves of stewardship and solicitation, data-driven workflows, and an integrated all-in communications effort, the Y of the North saw its retention rate increase 64% and the total number of donors skyrocket, reversing several years of declines. These scalable, relationship-focused fundraising techniques can be sized for any YMCA.
Webinar recording Slide deck
TIPS & TACTICS
Board Development
The 3 Ds of High Impact Board Members DBD Group
How New CEOs Can Start Off on the Right Foot with Their Boards Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
Annual Support
Re-Engaging Lapsed Donors Bloomerang
Operations & Philanthropy
5 Internal Controls for Small Nonprofits Blue Avocado
Marketing & Communications
Buzzwords to Ditch in 2025 Creative Boom
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eDevelopments Disclaimer Unless they are NAYDO members, sponsors or exhibitors, the websites, consultants, and other resources cited in these articles and links are not endorsed by NAYDO. The information is provided as food for thought only!
