NAYDO eDEVELOPMENTS

May 2026 News from North American YMCA Development Organization
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Message from the NAYDO Chair

YOU CAN HELP SHAPE NAYDO'S FUTURE:
GET INVOLVED

Dear NAYDO Members,

We all know that success doesn’t happen without a plan and at NAYDO, everything we do is rooted in our mission: inspiring and strengthening the philanthropic culture of the Y.

I’m still energized by our incredible conference in Long Beach! It truly was a special gathering. A huge thank you to our 2026 Planning Committee and to everyone who volunteered their time and talents. You helped make it an amazing experience and continue to elevate the #PowerofNAYDO.

As great as it was, there’s no slowing down. Planning for 2027 is already underway! We’re forming the Conference Committee now, and monthly calls will guide us toward Deep in the Heart of Giving, happening April 27–30 in Dallas. In early June, the Host Y team from the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and NAYDO Council will meet at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel to get things rolling. If you’d like to be part of shaping this conference, I encourage you to reach out to Mary Zoller by May 22 to get involved.

Of course, the conference is just one part of what NAYDO offers. Our monthly webinars offer ideas you can put into action right away. A new membership year begins September 1, with network events starting in the fall—and renewal opens July 27, so you can get a head start.

As you look ahead and create your own plans for the next quarter, year, or campaign, I hope you’ll tap into all that NAYDO has to offer. From past webinars and conference materials to the connections you’ll make through our networks, there are so many ways to learn and grow. And, as we all know, one of our greatest strengths is each other.

So, stay engaged, get involved, and don’t hesitate to share your ideas. Your voice helps shape where we go next.

I’m excited about what’s ahead for NAYDO and grateful for the role each of you plays in bringing our mission to life. Thank you for all you do!

In gratitude,
Pam

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

Today is the deadline to complete the conference evaluation. Please take a few minutes to provide your feedback. You'll be entered into a drawing for a free 2027 conference registration.

UPCOMING WEBINAR

Thursday, June 18, 1:30-2:30 pm Central

Webinar Sponsor: Funraise
The $25K YMCA Challenge is winding down! Over 300 YMCA associations are in the running to win $25K—It's not too late to join! Thanks to the 2026 YMCA Challenge, one YMCA association will win $25,000, and if you register now, it could be you. It takes 2 minutes to register, and you could land a $25K!

Plan Your Year in a Day: Drive a $1M Annual Campaign for Your YMCA
Presenter: Dani Lockard, Senior Fundraising Specialist,
Funraise

Dani Lockard will be leading a session to help you Drive a $1 Million Annual Campaign for Your YMCA. She will show you how to connect your YMCA's annual campaign tactics into a centralized, community-led movement.

Dani, a seasoned fundraising specialist with years of experience helping Ys scale their impact, will walk you through the systems and technology that can best activate your supporters, simplify your reporting, and empower your donors. Whether your goal is six or seven figures (or more!), Dani will show you how to embed successful tools and strategies into your daily operations for off-the-charts impact.

Bonus! You can earn major points toward the $25,000 YMCA Challenge just by joining us. We can't wait to see you there.

Leave the session with a season-by-season campaign plan, choose which tools will work best for your donors, and break down expectations into manageable goals.

Register

2026 EAGLE AWARDEES FOR EXCELLENCE IN FUNDRAISING

This year, there are two recipients of the Eagle Award. Congratulations to Treasure Valley Family YMCA in Boise, Idaho, and the Lawrence County YMCA in New Castle, Pennsylvania!

At Treasure Valley, philanthropy is not a function—it is the foundation of their strategic vision, Building Tomorrow Together. It fuels immediate impact and long-term sustainability through a fully integrated approach that includes annual giving, capital, sponsorships, grants, and endowment—with annual support as the essential building block.

Congratulations to Erik Bullock, Executive Director; Meagan Ellis, Chief Development Officer; Emily Summerhays, Senior Director of Fund Development; and David Duro, President and CEO. Pictured with NAYDO Chair Pam Hearn, left, and Eagle Awards Chair Carolyn Grady, right.

The Lawrence County YMCA reminds us that transformational philanthropy is not about size—it is about culture, clarity of mission, and commitment. A shift from obligation to personal connection is at the heart of Lawrence County’s success. With a $2M budget and no development director, philanthropy is led by the CEO alongside an engaged board and staff team. Here, fundraising is not delegated—it is shared. It is lived.

Congratulations to Development Coordinator Ciara Kaif and CEO Maria McKee!

2026 COMMUNICATIONS CONTEST

Congratulations to the 2026 Communications Contest Awardees! Ys of all sizes are recognized for their campaigns promoting philanthropy, membership, community building, and collaboration across the YMCA movement. Samples of their materials are posted on the NAYDO website.

BEST OVERALL CAMPAIGN EXCELLENCE
YMCA of Greater Erie, $11-$25M Budget Category
YMCA of Greater Kansas City, $26-$50M
YMCA of Greater Rochester, >$50M

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
YMCA of Greater Brandywine, >$50M

PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNICATIONS
YMCA Montevideo, Uruguay | <$4M
YMCA of Greater Charlotte, >$50M

SMALL BUDGET STAR
YMCA of Northern Colorado, $11-$25M
YMCA of Coastal Carolina, $11-$25M
YMCA of Fredericton, <$4M

CAUSE COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR
Hatton Gravely, CDO, YMCA of Coastal Carolina

2026 PHILANTHROPY LIVE! RECAP

See the meaningful community service projects undertaken in Long Beach. The Redwoods Group is the sponsor of Philanthropy Live! We are proud that Change Agent Productions, an enterprise business at the Community Development YMCA in Long Beach that offers paid opportunities for high school and college students, filmed and produced this project recap.

2027 NAYDO CONFERENCE -
DEEP IN THE HEART OF GIVING

It's not too early to think about next year's conference! It is April 27-30 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. Get a 2027 Dallas preview.

• Join the conference planning committee - calls are once a month and there are many different committees. Reply to this email to learn more.

• Submit a 2027 Call for Presentations ... or two! The deadline to submit is May 22, so don't delay. Here's the proposal form. If you want to submit but can't complete the form by Friday, May 22, please reply to this email and let us know.

• Make your hotel reservations NOW. The Sheraton Dallas Hotel is the conference headquarters hotel, so all events will take place there except the Closing Party. Hotel reservations are open and filling up.
$259 plus tax ~18.4%
For sub-blocks or questions, contact Mary Zoller.

Conference registration and financial assistance applications open September 14.

TIPS AND TOOLS

Marcy Heim offered these thoughts for NAYDO members during the NAYDO Conference.

Fundraising Effectiveness Project Updates AFP Foundation for Philanthropy and Giving Tuesday

Top 10 Signs of a Prospect's Cognitive Decline The Nonprofit Times

7 Ways to Find Your CEO's Fundraising Flow Campbell & Company

5 Major Donor Stewardship Moves That Drive the Second Gift Gail Perry Group

3 Secret Advantages of Small to Medium Nonprofits Clairification

A security webinar that's actually interesting Funraise

Just for fun video Funraise

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!