Message from the Chair

2026 IS ALMOST HERE!

Dear NAYDO Members,

As 2025 winds down, my calendar is packed with our year-end campaign, Giving Tuesday plans, and special holiday events like our Annual Gift Drive supporting children in our Counseling & Social Services programs. It’s inspiring to see our community rally around the Y.

I’m also looking ahead to 2026—and especially the NAYDO Conference, May 6–9 in Long Beach, California! Now is the time to plan, budget for it—and register.

The Conference Brochure is full of exciting opportunities. I’m marking workshops and speakers I don’t want to miss, including the new Master Class Series, Philanthropy School Fundamentals, and Sponsor Showcase Workshops. Hot Topics always deliver great insights, and the YMCA tours, service projects, and optional activities look fantastic. Huge thanks to the YMCA of Greater Long Beach and the Conference Committee for creating such a dynamic schedule.

If the conference isn’t in your plans or budget, there’s still so much to gain. Be sure to join our network events and monthly webinars—this membership year has already featured outstanding ones. And don’t forget: all NAYDO members have access to recordings of workshops and webinars.

While the annual conference is our signature event, NAYDO is a year-round resource. We’re here to help staff and volunteers grow fundraising skills, advance the Y mission, and secure funding for long-term impact and sustainability. NAYDO fuels philanthropy!

Thanks for being part of this community,

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

WEBINARS & VIRTUAL NETWORK EVENTS

Monthly Webinar
Thursday, November 20, 1:30-2:30 pm Central
When Data Drives Strategy
Presenters: Robyn Furness-Fallin, CFRE, and Kali Righter 
DBD Group

The success of your fundraising efforts is measured by more than just dollars raised. Beyond upgrades and retention, the careful study of your donor data can reveal trends that will strengthen your strategy, from annual appeals to major gift cultivation. Using the insights gleaned from your current donor behaviors, you can target likely prospects within your membership base. These practical insights will help you leverage data to grow giving.
Register

Under 40 Network
November 5, 11:30 am-12:30 pm Central  
YMCA Staff Campaign “It Starts with Us”
Presenter: Jonna Wolfenberg, YMCA of Niagara

This webinar is a dynamic and engaging session designed to empower YMCA staff by reconnecting you to the Y's mission and the vital role you play in driving positive change. Timely and relevant, this session addresses the unique challenges Ys face in staff engagement and offers practical strategies to foster a culture of giving. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how staff contributions fuel our shared goals, along with actionable tools to inspire others and strengthen your YMCA community from the inside out.
Network Sponsor C&A Social Impact Consulting
Register

MarCom Network
Wednesday, November 11, 12-1 pm Central
Everyone’s Transforming Lives. Now What?
Messaging That Cuts Through the Clutter of Doing Good
Presenter: Elena Fracchia, MPA, CWS
The Good Philanthropist

In a crowded landscape where every organization claims to be making an impact, how can your message actually stand out? This session offers marketing professionals a fresh lens on purpose-driven messaging, drawing on lessons from the world of fundraising, where values and action intersect daily. You'll learn how to sharpen your story, avoid vague "impact speak," and build stronger collaboration with your development team to drive results. 
Network Sponsor TheMovement.shop by Radar Promotions
Register

Monthly Webinar and Camp Network Event
Thursday, December 11, 1:30-2:30 pm Central
Camp Impact Data as Compelling Case for Support
Presenters: Joel Sieplinga and Stacey Seeger 
YMCA Camp Tecumseh

How we talk about what we do at Overnight Camp matters. We don't have an archery range, we have a space where kids learn resiliency and also shoot a bow and arrow. And, we don't ask potential donors to give so we can buy new kitchen equipment: we show potential donors that 85% of campers grew in initiative during their week at camp and having a new dining hall provides the venue for this growth.
Network Sponsor Day Camp Community
Register

WELCOME, FUNRAISE!

Welcome to Funraise, NAYDO's new webinar series sponsor.
YMCAs already know and love Funraise’s easy, customizable fundraising software. Backed by years of fundraising experience, Funraise is the key to easy donation form creation, impactful peer-to-peer campaigns, effortless capital campaign management, and quick access to advanced reporting. 

Here is one Y's success working with Funraise on fundraising strategies and tools. 

NAYDO 2026 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION REMAINS OPEN

Just because you missed the Members Only registration deadline, does not mean it's too late to register. Check out the Conference brochure so you don’t miss out on THE place to learn about YMCA philanthropy.  

Registering for NAYDO is an investment in discovering the pathway to more revenue for your Y. The full Conference schedule is on page 3 of the conference brochure and on the conference website, conference.naydo.org. REGISTER now!  

YMCA CAPITAL CAMPAIGN RESEARCH

NAYDO and Capital Campaign Pro are partnering to collect and share benchmark data from YMCAs around the planning and execution of capital campaigns.

If you are considering a campaign, are currently in a campaign, or recently completed a campaign, please take this survey!

In a 2026 NAYDO webinar, we will learn the most interesting insights gleaned from this research and benchmarks for comparison with other Ys. 

We would like to learn:
- How is the annual fund impacted?
- Does conducting a feasibility study matter?
- What are the biggest challenges & benefits, besides dollars raised?
- Do small YMCAs fare better or worse?

Take the survey today!

P.S. Completing the survey will enter you into a drawing for one of three $150 donations.

TIPS & TACTICS

MarCom  
Top 10 Tells That Someone's Using ChapGPT  Nonprofit Pro

Financial Development
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Mistakes & How to Fix Them Nonprofit Hub

Strategies to Re-Engage Elusive Donors  Gail Perry Group 

7 Tips to Make Asking Friends for Annual or Capital Gifts Less Awkward   Capital Campaign Pro

Grants & Case for Support
U.S. Child Poverty Rates Are Increasing  The Annie E. Casey Fdn. 

Leadership
Everything's Connected: Programs, Strategies and Donors
Andrew Olsen, DickersonBakker

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