YMCA of Greater Seattle, Seattle, Washington

Since 1996, The Collins Group has provided fundraising counsel for three successfully completed YMCA capital campaigns raising a total of $18 million to complete eight capital projects throughout the Greater Seattle Association and partnered with the YMCA on four campaign feasibility studies and two advancement projects. We are currently providing strategic counsel for a $40 million capital and endowment campaign poised to significantly increase the YMCA’s positive impact and support their mission of building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. The “Step Up for Kids” campaign, completed in 1999, raised funds for capital projects at Camp Orkila, the downtown YMCA, and four branches, plus increased endowment for youth programs and annual support. Exceeding its $14 million goal, it set a new bar for campaigns as this was, at that time, the largest for a social service agency in the history of the region. Working with branch leaders, The Collins Group provided counsel for the successful $325,000 Northshore Family YMCA expansion campaign (2002) and the successful $1.58 million fundraising campaign to complete the new 40,000 square foot Auburn Family YMCA, anchored with a significant land donation from Boeing, and a creative partnership with the City of Auburn (2003). The Collins Group completed a feasibility study in May 2005 to test philanthropic support for the YMCA’s five-year capital development plan, including four new comprehensive YMCA facilities in fast-growing suburban communities, expansions to camp facilities and the Meredith Mathews East Madison Branch, and investment in endowment. Starting the final year of the five-year campaign, two of the projects are complete, groundbreakings have been celebrated for three new branch facilities, a Kresge challenge grant has been secured and fundraising is over 95 percent of its total goal.