YMCA of the Inland Northwest/YWCA of Spokane, Spokane, Washington

After The Collins Group completed feasibility studies for each separate organization (the YWCA in 1999 and the YMCA in 2003), the leadership of the two organizations met in 2005 and began to explore the possibility of co-locating and conducting a joint capital campaign. Rather than conduct a third fundraising feasibility study, The Collins Group helped the Ys launch an aggressive campaign advancement period which included briefings with former feasibility study participants and more than 100 community leaders and potential major donors. Project planning, leadership identification, and increased systems and staffing were also addressed. Upon conclusion of the advancement phase in 2006, the YMCA of the Inland Northwest and the YWCA of Spokane voted to move forward on a Joint Capital Campaign with an overall goal of $40.5 million – and as of June 2009, they are 89 percent of the way there!