It has been our pleasure over the past two years to work with the Monroe County YMCA in Bloomington, Indiana as they planned and began an ambitious capital campaign.

Bloomington is a city of 80,000 in Southern Indiana. For decades, the YMCA has been a part of this vibrant university community. As the town expands, the need for a YMCA – especially a Y child care center – on the county’s Northwest side became more and more apparent. In addition, the Y’s current facility was due for some much-needed improvements.

Donor By Design Group worked with the YMCA on a feasibility study and then to the development of their capital case for support, which included campaign materials, a video, vision boards and more. The staff and volunteers of the Y have used these tools to educate prospective donors about the project and the Y’s vision for serving the kids and families of Monroe County.

Monroe County YMCA ‘Strong Past, Bright Future’ Campaign Video

In February 2011, the YMCA announced a $5 million lead gift from Cook Industries. Over the last several months, together, we have developed major gift strategies for the campaign’s Top 20 and Next 30 donor prospects.  This process of “interest raising” has allowed the Y to grow closer to prospects and donors.

Cook Group Inc Pledges $5 million to new YMCA on Bloomington’s northwest side

Monroe County YMCA Announces Childcare Center with Room for 300 Kids

The Y still has work to do complete the fundraising for the campaign, but the patient work and powerful case they’ve made will see them through to the successful completion of their new facility and the update of their current facility.

As Erika Albert, Development Director at the Monroe County YMCA put it: “I think our donors feel like this is the right time with the right people and the right team to lead the effort. It’s great to have the Donor By Design team on our side!”