How YMCA Capital Campaigns Are Different (And How They Aren’t)

New research reveals that YMCA capital campaigns share similarities and differences with campaigns in the broader nonprofit sector.

In fact, they share some surprising similarities.

We recently collaborated with NAYDO (the North American YMCA Development Organization) to produce an addendum to our 2024-25 State of Capital Campaigns benchmark study.

Over 60 YMCA affiliates participated in a specialized and in-depth survey, and we uncovered fascinating insights into how YMCAs approach and execute their capital campaigns compared to other nonprofits.

The Big Differences: YMCAs Think Big

YMCAs aren’t just building community; they’re building at scale.

The study found that YMCA capital campaigns average $15.5MM in fundraising goals, more than double the $7.7MM average for other nonprofits. This ambitious outlook is reflected in how YMCAs approach their campaigns:

• 78% of YMCA campaigns focus on building projects (compared to 60% of other nonprofits)
• YMCAs take longer to plan and execute, averaging 6.4 years versus 3.7 years
• Half of YMCAs wait at least 10 years between campaigns, while only 24% of other nonprofits take that long

Perhaps most impressively, YMCAs have mastered the art of major gift fundraising. The study found that YMCAs secure 86% of their campaign goals from their top 20 gifts, significantly outperforming the broader nonprofit average of 70%.

Common Ground: Where YMCAs Mirror Their Peers

Despite these notable differences, YMCAs share several key metrics with other nonprofits:

• Both achieve similar campaign satisfaction rates (nearly 100%)
• Board member giving accounts for about 12-15% of campaign goals
• Overall campaign goal achievement hovers around 105%
• About 60% of organizations utilize volunteer campaign chairs

Strategic Planning Leads the Way for YMCA Campaigns

One standout finding: 82% of YMCA campaigns emerge from strategic planning processes, highlighting a systematic approach to growth and development. This strategic foundation, combined with sophisticated major donor cultivation, positions YMCAs well for future fundraising success.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges

The research suggests several areas where YMCAs might focus future efforts:

• While YMCAs excel at major gift cultivation, there may be opportunities to broaden donor bases
• Board engagement could be strengthened, as many YMCAs reported challenges with full board participation
• The longer average campaign duration (6.4 years) might benefit from more streamlined execution strategies

Want to Learn More? Download Our Free Report

This analysis only scratches the surface of the wealth of insights contained in the full benchmark report. If you’re involved with YMCA fundraising or planning a capital campaign, you’ll want to download the complete study to access:

• Detailed breakdowns of campaign planning phases
• Comprehensive funding statistics and trends
• Specific recommendations for future campaigns
• In-depth comparisons across different campaign stages

Download the full report to gain access to all the benchmarks and insights that can help shape your YMCA’s next successful capital campaign.